The bicycle itself is a unique means of transportation, but its low carrying capacity sometimes becomes a pressing problem for many cycling enthusiasts. However, today you can find many additional accessories on the market to make life easier for cyclists. So, to transport cargo heavier than ten kilograms, you can purchase an excellent assistant - a comfortable bicycle trailer. This product is great for trips to the country, fishing, shopping or cycling.

It is worth noting that domestic cycling enthusiasts quite successfully manage to independently make various carts for transporting goods on a bicycle. Sometimes cyclists decide to take this step to save money, and sometimes to satisfy their desire to create something with their own hands. Whether to buy a ready-made structure or make it yourself - everyone must decide for themselves.

Since the bicycle trailer is designed to transport heavy but small-sized cargo, its design must be extremely durable. But at the same time, the bicycle trailer must be light and maneuverable. It is also important that in the event of any breakdown, the owner of this device can independently fix the problem, so the design of the bicycle trailer should be simple and understandable to the common person.

A cargo bicycle trailer can be either a one-piece or a prefabricated structure, additionally equipped with a cover made of waterproof polypropylene. These devices move relative to the axis of the bicycle, thereby ensuring reliability and safety when riding on a dirt country road, even with a fully loaded trailer.

Cargo trailers allow you to transport up to 50 kg of cargo, and sometimes up to 70 kg. One of the most load-bearing models is the Y-Frame bicycle trailer, which can transport up to 90 kg, while being lightweight and practical.

The undeniable advantage of cargo trailers for bicycles is their convenience during long trips. This is an ideal option for cycling trips, since you can take everything you need with you.

Types of bicycle trailers:

Three basic components of a bicycle trailer:

1. The frame, which in its standard form is a structure consisting of oblique mounting plumbs and an aligned axle for the wheels. The frame of a bicycle trailer must be durable and reliable. As a rule, it is made of aluminum or steel profile.
2. A platform whose main task is to withstand the load. Most often it is made of plastic, MDF or plywood. When choosing a trailer, you should compare the material from which the platform is made with the weather and road conditions in which the device will be used. For example, some material may become wet from excess moisture.
3. The system for attaching a trailer to a bicycle, which is one of the most important parts of a bicycle trailer. The maneuverability and functionality of the entire device depends on the quality of this component.

There are a wide variety of bicycle cargo trailer models on the market today. When choosing such an assistant, you should give preference to already proven and well-known manufacturers. A cargo trailer can be special purpose (for example, for transporting a surfboard) or universal; some models can be transformed into hand trucks, etc.

One of the brightest representatives of this segment is the Burley Travoy trailer, which can transport cargo up to 27 kg. The advantages of this trailer include the fact that it can be easily unfastened from the bicycle and can serve as a shopping cart. In addition, the trailer easily folds down to the size of a suitcase, making it easy to store.

The design of the cargo trailer is quite simple and concise. As a rule, this is a box made of MDF or plywood, into which nothing except the sides of the selected height is mounted.

If you decide to create a cargo trailer with your own hands, then first you need to prepare materials and create drawings. Fortunately, today on the Internet you can find a lot of drawings of bicycle trailers of different sizes and configurations, and to get a device, you just need to follow the recommendations and carefully select the dimensions.

When choosing a material for a frame, it is better to give preference to a lighter and more durable option - aluminum or titanium, thanks to which maximum rigidity of the entire structure is achieved. To make the bottom of the trailer, you can choose MDF or thick plywood, but the best option for the bottom of the cargo bike trailer is a strong basket.

There live on earth craftsmen, as they say, of all trades, who are able to assemble a bicycle on their own. In this case, there is no need to talk about quality, although there are different things. But nevertheless, making anything with your own hands is an excellent experience that will not hurt anyone. For example, the Chinese Kevin Cyr designed and then assembled an entire house on wheels. Camper bike. It was presented to the public in April 2008. But no one is producing serial samples yet, you understand why.)))

You may only need a cargo bike a few times in your life, but it's better to have one than to have to suddenly look for it later. This design will be indispensable for transporting a certain amount of cargo that cannot be carried by hand, but using a car for this is extremely unprofitable and costly. Next, we suggest watching the video. It clearly shows how to make a simple cargo bike from a regular old “Ukraine”. Everything was done using a grinder and a welding machine. Even turning work was not needed.

Bicycle trailer- a useful thing. One of the commercial companies produces the popular bicycle trailers “Bee” and “Bee 2”. However bike trailer you can do it yourself. Its design is quite simple and includes several required components: a platform measuring 70 by 100 centimeters, mounting brackets, a frame with wheels and a mounting point for the bicycle.

To make a bicycle trailer you will need the following tools: an angle grinder with two types of discs - cutting and grinding, an electric drill and attachments various diameters, welding machine, mask, gloves for safe work, ruler, pencil for marking, steel pipes of small and inch diameters, as well as strips up to thirty centimeters wide, hammer, bolts for securing the structure (their diameter depends on the diameter of the drills chosen for the work), a ball joint, threaded studs, two wheels, the platform itself (it can be either wooden or made of other materials).

The metal frame for a bicycle trailer can have the simplest design with oblique mounting plumbs and dropped axle for wheels. You can always find a drawing for its manufacture on the Internet or, if you have the ability, create it yourself. In order for everything to work out right the first time, you need to take very clear measurements and follow the principle of “measure twice and cut once.” Very important point– system for attaching a trailer to a bicycle. In common parlance it is called a drawbar. This is a kind of assembly made from a two-inch square pipe. Below are a few drawings for making this device yourself.

The bike trailer platform itself must be light and strong overnight so that it can be used to transport heavy objects and loads. The most commonly used material is MDF, a material that is resistant to fracture and at the same time lightweight. The only disadvantage of this material is that it easily absorbs water and is destroyed under its influence. But the modern market also offers MDF with a water-repellent coating. In essence, this solves all problems.

A homemade bicycle trailer is a very convenient thing. You can independently determine the size and shape of the trailer that will suit your needs. In the end, after you have created a bicycle trailer, you can try yourself as a master maker of experimental bicycles - this is always very interesting, and in the long term also incredibly profitable!

The bicycle is an ancient invention of mankind and is itself a unique device. In order to expand its functionality, people began to use additional designs, which include bicycle trailers. A bicycle trailer helps solve some transportation problems.

What is the use of a bicycle trailer?

• The trailer allows you to significantly increase the quantity and weight of the cargo being transported, while no damage is caused to the bicycle when moving, because all the weight is redistributed to the trailer itself.
• Trailers are very convenient for transporting children; the journey will seem comfortable and easy.
• Large loads can also be easily moved if the bike is equipped with a trailer.

A tourist unicycle bicycle trailer easily allows you to transport cargo when traveling even on narrow paths; moving over rough terrain is easy and simple.

A bicycle trailer for a child has stricter design requirements than just for transporting any cargo. Such trailers must be equipped with seat belts and shock absorbers. Anyone who builds a structure on their own should remember this. An industrial children's bicycle trailer must undergo a rigorous test that is no less important than a car trailer.

Species

The most commonly used trailers are two-wheel trailers, usually child-carrying or cargo-carrying designs.

Single-wheeled models are a flexible tandem, so to speak, an additional seat, which has an independent drive, a chain drive to the attached wheel. Such a trailer moves quite obediently along a straight section of the road, but when turning, difficulties arise: the rear wheel begins to drag, rather than roll.

Another model, much less common, is when the trailer is attached to the front. The bicycle does not drag the trailer behind it, but rather pushes it. This design is the most complicated and difficult to manage.

How to make a bike trailer

In the summer, many people exchange stuffy, uncomfortable transport for a light and easy-to-ride bicycle. To make travel exciting not only for adults, but also for children, many use a trailer for transportation. Buying a design costs money, so many craftsmen invent it in their own way. So how can you assemble a bicycle trailer with your own hands? Let's describe the simplest method.

What basic materials will be needed for the job?

• Three tubes with a diameter of 2 cm, each three meters long.
• Bushings.
• Copper basket or MDF sheet (from which you can build a basket).
• Two locknuts.
• Thread cutter.
• Wheels.
• Shock absorbers.
• Seat belts.

Sequence of actions

When the material is prepared, you can safely begin work without doubting success. The basis of the trailer will be the frame. To create it, you just need to prepare a drawing in advance. The pipe will bend along it. Take a large sheet, draw on it the shape of the future frame, it is better if it is an oval. Bend the pipe along the drawn lines.

One such curved tube will serve as the bottom for the trailer; from the other, bend the back like a sleigh. These two elements need to be soldered together. Along the edges of the frame, solder bushings in the places where the wheels will be attached. Install the wheels yourself.

The next step is to install the bottom. Now you need a copper basket. Instead, you can take a thick sheet of MDF, but the disadvantage of this material is that it quickly gets wet. For the bottom, it is better to use moisture-resistant materials; for example, the side walls can be made from thick tarpaulin or thin wood panels.

If the trailer will be used to transport children, install shock absorbers. Provide comfortable seats with

Bicycle connection

Solder a metal tube to the trailer, with which the structure will be attached to the bicycle. In addition to the trailer structure itself, it is necessary to make a unit connecting the trailer to the bicycle, the so-called drawbar. You can make it from an inch pipe and metal plates. Bend the pipe into an L-shape. Solder metal plates in place of the corner, insert a bolt between them, which will act as a clamp. Install the lower bolt perpendicular to the upper one; it should cross the hole in the pipe and attach to the lower clamp.

Don't forget about the tow bar. The bicycle must have a trunk. Install one hinge part on the drawbar, and the second on the trunk.

This is a simple way to build a bicycle trailer with your own hands. It can serve you well on family trips, transporting children or moving small-sized cargo.

Operation

A bicycle trailer is not at all difficult to use. Anyone who has tried to use it can confirm this. When rolling on a horizontal surface, a trailer full of children is not felt at all. It does not hinder movements, does not interfere with control or maneuverability.

Just remember that the trailer itself is wider than the bicycle, so don’t forget to leave more space when turning around or when driving in narrow places (between trees, along paths). Please note that when turning, the bicycle trailer moves in an internal arc. When going down a hill, it is the trailer that accelerates the bike, but with proper braking, this problem is easily solved.

Problems arise when driving on loose soil or uphill. Of course, this is due to the weight of the trailer, because, whatever one may say, it weighs no less than 50 kg along with its cargo. And yet, driving with a trailer is somewhat easier than if you carry the same weight on the trunk.

Of course, moving on asphalt with a trailer is much easier, but we can safely say that a bicycle trailer is also convenient for driving on dense dirt roads, paving stones, and grass. With this design, you can even overcome shallow ruts, because the gap between the bottom and the road is not so small. There is no risk of tipping over, even if on uneven roads in some places one wheel is higher than the other.

The loose ascents create a problem for movement. The bicycle and trailer get buried in them too quickly. It is difficult to overcome any obstacles with a trailer, be it logs or ditches. Riding on narrow paths is also extremely uncomfortable; the bike has difficulty making turns and hits everything that sticks out around.

In general, a bicycle trailer is a great help. Having thought through the route in advance, you can have fun and easily go on an interesting trip with the whole family.

Now many residents of big cities are switching from cars to bicycles. This type of transport not only helps to preserve the environment, but also effectively solves the problem of endless traffic jams. Of course, in addition to its advantages over a car, a bicycle also has serious disadvantages, and the main one is the inability to transport more or less large cargo. You can solve this problem by making a bicycle trailer. How to make a trailer with your own hands - read our instructions.

Making a bicycle trailer

The bicycle trailer has the following design:

• large platform 70*100 cm
• brackets for attaching to a car trunk
• frame made of steel inch tubes, which can accommodate wheels with a diameter of up to 29 inches
• place for mounting a tool box
• adjustable drawbar, allowing you to attach the trailer to any bicycle

Tools:

• grinder with cutting and grinding discs
• drilling machine with a vice or clamp (not necessary, but this tool will greatly simplify the work)
• drills with a diameter of 6, 8 and 10 mm
• taps
• central punch
• hammer
• welding machine
• canvas gloves and welding mask
• roulette
• felt-tip pen

Materials:

• square inch steel pipe
• steel strip 50*4 mm 30 cm long
• steel strip 25*4 mm 30 cm long
• threaded pin 4 cm long (old bicycle wheel hub axle or headless bolt)
• two nuts diameter 10, pitch 24
• four bolts diameter 6, pitch 20, length 5 cm
• two bolts diameter 10, pitch 16, length 4 cm with nuts and washers
• four eyebolts diameter 8, pitch 18 with nuts and washers
• MDF sheet 70*100 cm, about 18 mm thick (this can be any other material that you find suitable for making the platform)
• ball joint
• two bicycle wheels with tires with a diameter of about 20 inches.

Bicycle trailer manufacturing technology

1. Make plates for seating the wheel axle. These plates are easy to cut from a steel strip with a cross section of 50*4 mm. The easiest way to cut a strip into pieces is to use a grinder with a cutting disc. The length of the segments should be 75 mm. The result should be 4 identical plates.

Using a ruler and felt-tip pen, mark the center of each plate, place the center punch on the mark and hit with a hammer. Place the part in a vise drilling machine. Drill a through hole in each of the workpieces, setting the minimum possible rotation speed. Use a grinder to cut out strips from the holes to one side of the plate.

2. Weld the frame for the bike trailer. It can be made from inch steel pipe square section. Prepare pieces of pipe of the required size and weld the frame parts together.

3. Make a drawbar. The drawbar is the unit with which the trailer is attached to the bicycle. The drawbar can also be made from an inch square pipe and a 25*4 mm steel strip. Attach this assembly to the vertical tube mounted on the frame using two pinch bolts. Insert the top bolt into the hole drilled in two steel plates, which form a kind of clamp. Secure the lower bolt perpendicular to the upper one so that it passes through the lower clamp, and screw it into the hole drilled in the vertical frame tube. By drilling a few holes, you can adjust the height of the drawbar and use the trailer with any bicycles.

4. Make a platform. We used MDF sheet for this, but it is better to choose a waterproof material, since MDF begins to crumble when wet. If you have a sheet of laminated plywood, use that. Cut out a sheet measuring 70*100 cm from plywood or MDF, place it on the frame, mark how best to round the corners, where to drill holes for all kinds of fasteners.

5. Install the tow bar. To do this, your bike must have a rack. Fix part of the detachable hinge with the ball on the trunk. The second part of the hinge must be secured to the drawbar.

6. Secure the tool box. The trailer frame is larger than the platform itself, so there is room in the front for such a box. The easiest way to secure it is with an elastic cable.

Every cyclist has experienced a similar situation when they need to transport a fairly large or heavy load, but it is not possible to place it on a bike rack or the bike itself. Or you want to introduce your children to cycling... In such cases, you begin to think, “maybe it’s worth buying a bicycle trailer?”, especially when such trips happen quite often. This article will help you choose the right bike trailer. In it we will try to explain in detail what types of bicycle trailers there are, how to attach them to a bicycle, as well as the pros and cons of different designs. Finally, we will superficially touch on the topic of whether it is possible to make a bicycle trailer with your own hands, and we will attach several drawings of the most successful, in our opinion, designs.

Types of bicycle trailers

On at the moment There are a wide variety of bike trailers on the market. They can all be divided into types that characterize the specifics of their purpose, and, consequently, design features. Below we will go into detail about each of them and explain which bike trailer is best for you.

• Cargo

A cargo trailer for a bicycle, as you might guess from the name, is a means of transporting heavy and sometimes large cargo (it all depends on the geometry of the frame). It is a durable, massive structure that can withstand significant loads. Cargo bicycle trailers can carry loads of up to 50 - 60 kg when coupled with a bicycle and up to 120 kg if you use it like a regular wheelbarrow (but it’s unlikely that anyone will use it like that). This significantly expands the functionality of your bike, turning it into an excellent means of transporting things. The weight limit for coupling with your bike is justified primarily due to the load on the attachment point. Therefore, do not overload the bicycle trailer (maximum load can be obtained from the manufacturer). There are two types of designs of cargo bicycle trailers - with one wheel and with two (on the same axle). The difference is this. Two-wheeled ones tend to have a higher maximum weight capacity, while its single-wheeled counterpart is superior in maneuverability. Now let's talk about the disadvantages. Increased structural strength is achieved by using stronger and heavier materials (usually steel), as well as by increasing the number of stiffeners. This in turn leads to an increase in the weight of the entire structure. What could this affect? As the mass increases, inertia during braking inevitably increases (in principle, this applies to any bicycle trailer, but especially to this type). This can have a negative impact when braking at intersections in the city. Therefore, you should slow down in advance and remember this feature. Also, due to the heavy weight and increased dimensions, maneuverability suffers greatly (this applies to all types of bicycle trailers). So, who is this look suitable for? First of all, for cyclists who need to transport very heavy loads on relatively good roads (it will be very difficult to ride on hard off-road conditions), but at the same time the route should not pass through very busy roads public use(due to poor maneuverability and the danger of running into the back of some car at a traffic light).

• For transporting children

They are an analogue of a stroller (by the way, some models, when disconnected from the bicycle, can be used as such) and can be either single or for two children. Typically, a scheme with two wheels is used, which can be equipped with shock absorbers for a more comfortable ride. Bicycle trailers for transporting children have one of the safest designs. To ensure the safety of the child on the road, these bicycle trailers are equipped with a hinged joint that will prevent the bicycle trailer from overturning if the towing bicycle driving it falls. Child seats are equipped with seat belts. For more comfortable movement of children, these bicycle strollers can be equipped with special mosquito nets and rain capes. It is worth noting that almost all expensive imported children's bicycle trailers undergo a specialized crash test, which tests their safety. The disadvantages that are inherent in other bicycle trailers are not spared for children. The only thing is that they may be less pronounced compared, for example, with freight ones. Although this type is the safest, it still wouldn’t hurt to add a couple of additional reflectors and signal lights. And so, this is a great choice for a shared bike trip with children.

• For transporting pets

Outwardly they are very reminiscent of children's ones. They also have a supporting base on two wheels and an awning with ventilation holes. The differences lie in slightly smaller sizes, fewer problems with safety and comfort. Suitable for transporting cats, dogs, birds and other small pets.

• Tourist

Tourist bicycle trailers, to ensure better cross-country ability, are usually equipped with one wheel (but sometimes two). This increases maneuverability and makes it possible for a cyclist to ride along narrow forest paths. The frame design is a platform onto which a durable, waterproof bag with the things you need is attached. Frame materials may vary, but very often manufacturers prefer aluminum. A bicycle trailer for tourism is very similar to its brother - a cargo trailer, and differs only in the listed minor differences.

• Side (cradle)

If you have seen a motorcycle with a sidecar, then this is the same. Not particularly common in our country. Mainly intended for transporting children, sometimes animals.

A very funny design that will be interesting to your child. It is a children's bicycle without a front wheel. Instead, it attaches to your (drive) bike. This device allows the child not only to be a passenger when cycling, but also to take part in pedaling, thereby helping you when riding uphill. They can be equipped with a speed switch (there are 6-speed models). The advantage of this design is that the child will not be able to accidentally drive onto the roadway. Runabout is perfect for shared bike trips with children 7-10 years old (although this is all conditional and you should first ask your child).

Mounting design

The most common ways to attach a bicycle trailer to a bicycle are by the rear wheel axle, by the seat post, and by the rear fork.
1) Behind the rear wheel axle. A special plate is installed under the nut, to which the rest of the bicycle trailer structure is attached.

2) For the seatpost. The bicycle trailer is attached using a long tube directly to the seat itself. The main disadvantage of this design is the possibility of falling due to an accidental push from the trailer.

3) For the rear fork. The main advantage of this mounting method is the ability to install on almost any bicycle.

DIY

Bicycle trailers, as they may seem, are not a cheap product and can sometimes cost as much as the bike itself. Therefore, many craftsmen began to produce cheap homemade bicycle trailers and sell them on the market. In principle, for the transportation of goods, there is not much difference between homemade and store-bought counterparts. The only thing you should pay attention to is the quality of the materials that homemade products use. But we categorically do not recommend buying homemade bicycle trailers for transporting children. Well, that's what I mean. If you have straight arms and the presence of a tool, making a bicycle trailer with your own hands is not difficult. Below we present some of the most interesting drawings(sketches) of bicycle trailers.

Conclusion

How can we sum it up? You should carefully analyze why you need a bicycle trailer and in what conditions it will be used. After which you can safely purchase it. Well, if you want to save a lot, then you can pay attention to “makeshift” bicycle trailers or make one yourself.