Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Don't hit delete yet.. I'm asking for a friend that is going to help me weld my tear up in a few weeks. He wants to build a small trailer to tow behind a motorcycle that will haul his two dogs. We figure the basics of teardrop construction would provide some guidelines.
Anybody here ever attempt anything like this? The mechanics of the hitch are different, but we can figure that out. Spring rates, travel, that kind of thing will be the biggest questions once we establish the basic dimensions and loaded weight.
I think he's nuts, but to each his own!

Thanks,
Geoff

Perfectly sensible (said with hand covering mouth to hide sniggering....).

Here's a whole page of motorcycle dog trailers:
http://www.wagstrailers.com/testimonials.asp


and a guy's conversion (love the dog's windscreen!):
http://motorcycletrailer.com/mag1/uct1review.html


I think the trick would be to get a light enough spring so that the suspension of the trailer is reasonably soft - shaking your bedroll to pieces isn't a problem, but it's bad for your dog.

Flexiride do half-axles that go down to 425lb/pair capacity which is the lightest I've seen:
http://www.etrailerpart.com/halftorsionaxles.htm

Camp-Inn Cary's rule of thumb is that you hit the sweet spot on torsion axles a little over half their rated load, so these would suit a 250lb trailer, but that's still probably heavier than you want behind a motorcycle.

Harbor Freight go down to a 860lb capacity 40"x49" and it looks like it has multi-leaf slipper springs so you could take out all but one leaf to make the suspension softer. You probably want a rotating coupler, but $130 for the frame and wheels seems quite a good deal even if you throw away the axle.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=42708


Andrew

I seem to remember a thread about a very similar topic.
If I remember correctly, it turned, uh, less than pretty.
Staying outta this one.

Thanks Andrew, that's a big help!

Geoff

I tow a small trailer with my bike. I used a pair of slipper springs which were rated at 1000lb/pair before I removed the extra spring (two leaves originally now only the main leaf) estimate at around 450 lbs. still to stiff but workable. I used a normal ball and hitch and haven't overtravelled it yet. I do plan on working out a swiveling hitch sometime but I'm in no rush to do so.

Two problems I see with this project.
1. The trailer will be sitting in the bikes exhaust all the time so measures have to be taken to cause the gasses to move away from the animal and suitable fresh air to be taken in. Exhaust noise may be a problem. I travelled with a guy with open pipes on a yamaha twin and after a couple hours I had to move back 1/8 mile to prevent a worsening headache.
2. spring rates and damping have to be just right or the dogs may be bounced too hard or become car sick. perhaps using the rear shocks from a small motorcycle with several mounting points and angles (to allow for tuning) could be used.

Using motorcycle tires will help the ride because the bigger diameter will ride over a lot of stuff that a small tire will drop into.

How about this setup

angib wrote:Perfectly sensible (said with hand covering mouth to hide sniggering....).

I think the trick would be to get a light enough spring so that the suspension of the trailer is reasonably soft - shaking your bedroll to pieces isn't a problem, but it's bad for your dog.


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=42708


Andrew

That's what Eggbert sits on. I pull with a 1200 Goldwing.
Had to extend the tongue 2' to finally get the handling
tamed down. It's a utility trailer so ride was not an
issue besides my Scottie " Sadie rides in the
pannier box I just take the lid off and safety clip her inside.

Hey guys,

I've been doing a lot of internet searching to find a trailer for my Yamaha Vino 125cc scooter that can carry a dog around. Bicycle trailers aren't tough enough to more than about 15mph, and motorcycle trailers are all overkill and usually as much as I paid for the scooter itself.

So I'm thinking of building one. Can you guys recommend a good base for a scooter trailer, similar to the 40" x 49" on recommended here but smaller and lighter? I'd be happy with something that can go 30 or 40 mph. Any higher is unnecessary. Also, any other general advice on the construction or whatever would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Rotating couplers harsh ride bad handling can easily be forgotten get a highway rated sprung caster and make a single wheel trailer. Looks like a wheelbarrow being pulled backwards. My grandfather was the family mister fixit and towed one with all his tools when visiting the kids. He wore out 3 -4 cars but the little trailer served on dutifully.

http://www.singlewheel.com/

Here's some info I tripped over on the net

YA GOTTA CHECK OUT THE ATLAS a one wheel teardrop

these are some of the shots from the site above

This design was my personal favorite

for when you need to use your motorcycle as a grocery getter.......