Bike Trailers
DIY & Custom Trailers
Build or Buy?
Home-built: a DIY flatbed cargo bicycle trailer (Photo: xddorox on flickr)
Note that traffic laws in many countries do not permit a cycle trailer to exceed 1 m in width. Limitations on length are generally not specified but be sure to check local laws before starting to build.
If prices for commercial bicycle cargo trailers exceed your budget or you enjoy working with your hands, consider building your own. There are several freely available open source plans for DIY bicycle cargo trailers that you can download. A flatbed cargo trailer can be built fairly easily and inexpensively leveraging bicycle parts, scrap metal or wood and perhaps a few parts from your local hardware store.
A word of caution: many DIYers build cycle trailers using 20" wheels salvaged from a BMX or children's bicycle. A good commercial trailer will have heavy-duty wheels (with 32 vs 27 spokes) which are better suited to carrying loads and to minimize the risk of accident due to wheel failure. If you use salvaged 20" wheels be sure not to load the trailer quite as heavy as a commercially manufactured cargo trailer which will likely have higher tolerances.
Multi-Bike Trailers
A Carry Freedom Y-Frame provides the platform for a custom multi-bike trailer (Photo: carryfreedom.com)
Multi-bike trailers enable you to transport one or more bikes using human power the safe way instead of riding one bike and balancing the second via hand alongside or stuffing the bicycle into a small cargo or child trailer.
Using bicycle carriers designed for car roof racks and based on an extended flatbed cargo trailer platform, multi-bike trailers are relevant for bicycle sightseeing tour and outdoor adventure companies as well as for bicycle repair shops and hobby mechanics to transport non-functioning bicycles without the need for dismantling on the spot.
Be concious of practical towing limits when towing more than one bike and maintaining the lowest possible centre of gravity.
Enclosed Branded Trailers
One Less Van: a custom-made, heavy-duty, lockable cargo trailer with branding (Photo by the author)
This section is under development.
Keywords
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