Lightweight Bicycle Camper Trailer

[skyl4rk]

Second Try, Door with Magnetic Closures
[youtube]xu78_0NrRS0[/youtube]

 

[skyl4rk]

Outer Door Awning
[youtube]B5O2aIH0TC4[/youtube]

 

[skyl4rk]

More Awning Work
[youtube]S27nRv5MHwU[/youtube]

 

[skyl4rk]

I took the trailer out for a ride around the block. It did fine, although with a little tow arm flex, which I had expected. I will try to weld a tow arm out of steel square tube.

Towing a trailer is quite a bit slower than without, but it did roll fine. I went over a number of bumps and potholes and it survived. I did not notice any bad handling traits.

Ready for Rain Test
[youtube]DH-DplBsXqo[/youtube]

 

[skyl4rk]

The trailer passed the rain test, quite windy and rainy overnight turning to snow in the morning. All seems good...

Outdoor Test
[youtube]rkJhoDVb8Q4[/youtube]

 

[skyl4rk]

I spent about a half hour in the trailer this evening. Outside temps at 15F. I was pretty warm under a heavy quilt but with some cold spots, which I think I can remedy by putting a quilt underneath and one over. There is some condensation. There seems to be enough ventilation, perhaps too much. The trailer is stable. It is a bit squeaky when I move around but quiet while laying there. The trailer is not designed for cold weather, but it seems to work with enough insulation in the quilt. I need to find a way to hold the door closed while sleeping, I fear raccoons might try to steal my chips and cookies and climb over me to get them.

 

[skyl4rk]

I spent the first night in the trailer, and got a decent amount of sleep. There is enough room, and there was no condensation this time, likely because it was warmer, at 38F. One of the stands was digging into the ground which put a little twist on the frame, so I put plywood pads under the stands.

First Overnight at 38F
[youtube]zB1cBhiQBMw[/youtube]

 

[skyl4rk]

When I took my trailer for a ride around the block, I could feel a little flexing when speeding up or braking. Originally I had bent an aluminum tent pole into the angle needed for a tow bar, and it did work, but was a little too flexible. So I built a new tow bar out of 1" aluminum square tube.

Stronger Tow Bar
[youtube]aXQ7ZZvn8zs[/youtube]

I haven't tried it yet. I am starting to get tired of the cold weather and winter is just getting started.

I would like to find a different solution for the inner door. I have some ideas but have not found a solution I like yet. I may try camping in the trailer as is for a while and see if I learn any ways to improve the design. Most of my ideas to fix the inner door issue result in a complete rebuild of the trailer and perhaps new construction of another trailer. I probably should try to learn more about the good and bad points of bicycle trailers before building another.

 

[skyl4rk]

Sliding Door Jamb
https://youtu.be/2Y-jjURhwJk

I found a way to seal up the door a bit.

 

[skyl4rk]

Overnight Test in the Low Position, 30F
https://youtu.be/R8GtQB1v9Ok

Overnight Test Results and Conclusion
https://youtu.be/-hyQJpu7KYc

The conclusion is heavy condensation, so I need to increase ventilation.

 

[skyl4rk]

The level of condensation that I experienced is not going to work. Not only did I get droplets on the ceiling, but also my gear was moist with condensation. That is no good for long term travel.

When trying to reduce condensation in a sailboat in a previous project, the answer was insulation, ventilation and heat. I am not going to heat my bicycle camper, so my options are ventilation and insulation.

I will continue experimenting with cold weather overnights to see if additional ventilation will reduce condensation, but I suspect that a foam cap is the way to go.

 

[skyl4rk]

I took a nap in the trailer for an hour this afternoon. At 23F outside temps, there was no condensation with the door open.