DIY bike trailer

[Topper5791]

Surprisingly, I don't think this question has been asked before. Has anyone ever heard of or have details of a DIY bike trailer (either 1 or 2 bike capacity). I've looked all over trying to find AutoCAD drawings (as I can modify them easier) with no luck. There doesn’t appear to be any free downloadable drawings in any format on the net, unless I’m looking in the wrong place.

[brooder]

Surprisingly, I don't think this question has been asked before. Has anyone ever heard of or have details of a DIY bike trailer (either 1 or 2 bike capacity). I've looked all over trying to find AutoCAD drawings (as I can modify them easier) with no luck. There doesn’t appear to be any free downloadable drawings in any format on the net, unless I’m looking in the wrong place.

If you've got the AutoCAD ability, create your own plans. I know of kids in high school who made trailers for ATVs. My shop class had at least three made in one semester. There really isn't that much to it.

[ThAzKat]

I agree!!

[Topper5791]

If you've got the AutoCAD ability, create your own plans. I know of kids in high school who made trailers for ATVs. My shop class had at least three made in one semester. There really isn't that much to it.

I was going to design a trailer specific for my bike(98' 750 Kat), but I wanted to see if there were any details for a generic trailer out there to give me a starting point. I was hoping to build a trailer that my friends could use for their bikes (from a 00' CBR600 to a 06'Harley, etc.), and that I could put on Katriders for anyone to use.

[jcv400ex]

Here's a good reference site. http://www.championtrailers.com/UTIL...AILER_KITS.HTM

I'd recommend getting an old pop up camper for free from some one, tearing it down to the frame, and building it to suit you. This way you have the title, frame, axle, and tires to start with. Then you can build it to your own needs. I've done this twice now. First time I bought all the materials, and I ended up having around $450 into it for a 5' x 10' trailer. This last one I built, I'm out $46. I did some dumpster diving at the local machine shop for scrap steel, but I saved myself $400! i'll post pics tomorrow.

[steves]

For the cost of materials, just go get something cheap from harbor freight and then modify it for your needs.

[Topper5791]

Sorry steves, not sure what 'harbor freight' is, I live in the uk bud. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Thanks jcv400ex, lots of good info there.

[ferrucci86]

if you look online you can find one on craigslist.com, people have homemade ones they sell for like 300 bucks. why do you need to build one for you bike?

[steves]

Sorry steves, not sure what 'harbor freight' is, I live in the uk bud. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Thanks jcv400ex, lots of good info there.

Well that explains it then.

It's a place where you can get a small 4x8 folding trailer quite cheaply.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42709

I'm not sure what resources you would have in the UK, or what the requirements are for building/registering trailers.

[Topper5791]

if you look online you can find one on craigslist.com, people have homemade ones they sell for like 300 bucks. why do you need to build one for you bike?

I know it would probably be cheaper to buy one off fleabay but, I'd like to build one as a bit of a hobby and you never know I might end up making some money out of it.

[zleviticus]

I know it would probably be cheaper to buy one off fleabay but, I'd like to build one as a bit of a hobby and you never know I might end up making some money out of it.

I looked in to doing this a ew years ago and bought blueprints online. With the cost of steel at the time in the USSA, it was cheaper to go buy a premade trailer.

[GytRDunKat]

Well that explains it then.

It's a place where you can get a small 4x8 folding trailer quite cheaply.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42709

I'm not sure what resources you would have in the UK, or what the requirements are for building/registering trailers.

That's my exact trailer!

[jcv400ex]

Now does the 236lbs of the trailer count against the 950 lb capacity?

[billybob]

That's my exact trailer!

With those small wheels and tires...how does it pull on the highway? I was thinking of changing out the tires and wheels to something bigger that is more suited to highway speeds.

[Psycho1]

I have a trailer about the same size as that with small tires and it tows pretty straight usually. if the load is too top heavy though it does sometimes get tippy if you're going too fast in tight corners, and takes a few seconds to ettle down after big bumps like cattle guards. I hauled my 600lb snowmobile on mine 2400 miles round trip few years ago when I went to a family reunion in UT, and didn't have any problems rolling down the highway at 75mph or so.