Bike Trailer

[Davie]

Gents, I need guidance.

I'm thinking about modifying an old trailer to carry 4 push bikes rather than hanging them on the roof and boot lid of the wife's car.

With all the new rules and regulations regarding trailers, where do I stand? My licence will be no problem as I've had it 20+ years, but how old does the trailer need to be to give me no issues. This will definitely be a modification and NOT a build from scratch.

Thanks guys

Dave

 

[brightspark]

Gents, I need guidance.

I'm thinking about modifying an old trailer to carry 4 push bikes rather than hanging them on the roof and boot lid of the wife's car.

With all the new rules and regulations regarding trailers, where do I stand? My licence will be no problem as I've had it 20+ years, but how old does the trailer need to be to give me no issues. This will definitely be a modification and NOT a build from scratch.

Thanks guys

Dave

just get on with it and do it i just rebuilt mine. the only original bit is the axle and drawbar and hitch .its not exactly a large braked trailer your doing, and even if it was all new id still just do it

 

[rtbcomp]

Looks like 30th October 2012 is the relevant date

http://www.cmf-engineering.com/trail-ta.htm

Check with your insurance though, mine says I can only tow a trailer if it's built by an approved manufacturer.

 

[Tman]

just get on with it and do it i just rebuilt mine. the only original bit is the axle and drawbar and hitch .its not exactly a large braked trailer your doing, and even if it was all new id still just do it

Make sure you remember what date you built it cos it is the only way to prove how old it is.

MOD - moved new text outside of quote.

 

[brightspark]

my insurance company has no problem covering me with home built trailer covered for 3d party but as above some dont. just check

 

[norlander]

As one gent has said I would just do it, I modify my trailers (bike/boat) quite often-just doing now in fact-you are probably not modding the chassis, or anything critical?.
Are you thinking along the lines of mounting the bike rack above the trailer so as to still have the capabilty to carry cargo as well as the bikes?

see some of these https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=t...wXBmYDgCw&sqi=2&ved=0CHAQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=885.

 

[pedrobedro]

I built my small tip run trailer over 20 years ago and a few years ago added a tether to the hitch to keep up with new regulations. In all the time I've been running it round I've never been stopped and asked how much is in it or if it is legal. I think as long as you keep it in good order, looking tidy and don't overload it you will be fine.

 

[brightspark]

I built my small tip run trailer over 20 years ago and a few years ago added a tether to the hitch to keep up with new regulations. In all the time I've been running it round I've never been stopped and asked how much is in it or if it is legal. I think as long as you keep it in good order, looking tidy and don't overload it you will be fine.

the only time u get pulled is if its a wreck or u get a puncture and the old bill pass . i had a car trailer i built myself to pull my stock car and the old bill went over it on the motorway ,nowt wrong so was on my way

 

[Davie]

Well, just picked up an old motorbike transport trailer. Tidy sum of 35 quid

I'll be posting some pics soon for advice as to how much I can actually chop out to get the weight down a bit. Probably gonna need some advice how to size wheel bearings and caps as well

 

[Davie]

Ok. Does anyone see any issues with chopping out at the red lines? Then I'll probably end up welding 2 cross bars roughly roof bar dimensions to mount 4 bike carriers to.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I got pulled over by Vosa. Trailer was a newish Daxara 750kg item. They still went over it with "fine tooth comb" and told me to get the cracked light lense repaired despite it not showing white light.
Basically if they want to then they can find something !

Paul H

 

[Davie]

I got pulled over by Vosa. Trailer was a newish Daxara 750kg item. They still went over it with "fine tooth comb" and told me to get the cracked light lense repaired despite it not showing white light.
Basically if they want to then they can find something !

Paul H

Same as anything really though. If they WANT to find something to ticket you for they will.

Hopefully when I'm finished it will look sensible at least.

What does everyone think about where I want to chop out though? Like I said it's only gonna have 4 bikes on it

 

[brightspark]

what u will find is if its verry light it will jump all over the place as the springs or indespention units will be 2 strong ..if my trailers empty i carry a bag of sand round in it and that makes it stable

 

[Bill Edwards]

I don't know what you're towing it with but unless it will be a motorbike I'd leave it as it is, fix the brackets you need and give it a good paint and add lights and a safety chain etc.
Provided the weight is below 750kg it doesn't need brakes, which is a bonus as trailer brakes are never fun to mess with.
If you strip off too much weight it'll be too bouncy and could be very unpleasant to tow. It does not look to be a heavy trailer as it is, I wouldn't lighten it unless the weight makes it unmanageable.

 

[Davie]

I don't know what you're towing it with but unless it will be a motorbike I'd leave it as it is, fix the brackets you need and give it a good paint and add lights and a safety chain etc.
Provided the weight is below 750kg it doesn't need brakes, which is a bonus as trailer brakes are never fun to mess with.
If you strip off too much weight it'll be too bouncy and could be very unpleasant to tow. It does not look to be a heavy trailer as it is, I wouldn't lighten it unless the weight makes it unmanageable.

Actually is quite weighty. I'd guess around 150 kg or so. It's only ever gonna be towed with at least 2 and usually 4 bikes on it. Just want to try and make it a bit more manageable to move about, it's gotta go on its side to get in and put of the back garden through a side gate.