MarthaS
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Post by MarthaS on Mar 24, 2015 6:17:49 GMT -8
Not only have we been working on our trailer but we have been rehabbing two vintage bicycles. I got mine at a flea market for $5.00. It turned out great and rides great too.
Before & After
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Mar 24, 2015 6:20:41 GMT -8
Wow, what a deal, a real steal! It looks great!
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Mar 24, 2015 14:18:55 GMT -8
My wife would love two bikes like that as part of our camping gear but there is no room.
Nice job on the renovation.
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MarthaS
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Post by MarthaS on Mar 24, 2015 14:45:54 GMT -8
My wife would love two bikes like that as part of our camping gear but there is no room. Nice job on the renovation. We are considering adding a spare tire on the back of the trailer and then carrying one of the bikes on it. I think it would look pretty cool.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Mar 24, 2015 18:41:33 GMT -8
My wife would love two bikes like that as part of our camping gear but there is no room. Nice job on the renovation. We are considering adding a spare tire on the back of the trailer and then carrying one of the bikes on it. I think it would look pretty cool. A spare tire rack welded to the bumper?
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Mar 24, 2015 18:50:32 GMT -8
We are considering adding a spare tire on the back of the trailer and then carrying one of the bikes on it. I think it would look pretty cool. A spare tire rack welded to the bumper? Yes, But............only if the mount/rack is also tied into a frame cross member at least 18" to 24" forward of the bumper. RV bumpers are 99% of the time vary flimsy. Bicycles do not weight vary much, but you have a lot of leverage bouncing down the road.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Mar 24, 2015 18:55:47 GMT -8
A spare tire rack welded to the bumper? Yes, But............only if the mount/rack is also tied into a frame cross member at least 18" to 24" forward of the bumper. RV bumpers are 99% of the time vary flimsy. Bicycles do not weight vary much, but you have a lot of leverage bouncing down the road. So weld the rack to the frame in which the bumper tube is joined? I just had a conversation with my wife on this subject and was going to start a new thread. We would like bikes (we are camping at a state park in SC now) but I'm not 100% confident the frame can handle the weight of two bikes bouncing.
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Mar 24, 2015 19:13:42 GMT -8
Yes, But............only if the mount/rack is also tied into a frame cross member at least 18" to 24" forward of the bumper. RV bumpers are 99% of the time vary flimsy. Bicycles do not weight vary much, but you have a lot of leverage bouncing down the road. So weld the rack to the frame in which the bumper tube is joined? I just had a conversation with my wife on this subject and was going to start a new thread. We would like bikes (we are camping at a state park in SC now) but I'm not 100% confident the frame can handle the weight of two bikes bouncing. No, I would think that you would want a rack to be removable when not in use.
Go to your local metal supply and buy an 18" long piece of a special type of steel tubing called "Receiver Tube". This tubing comes in two sizes, one male, and one female. You want the larger female tube that will fit a 2" receiver. The thing that makes this tubing special is that it has rounded edges and the male tube will slide inside. Weld a flange on the receiver tube that will bolt to the bumper, and weld two pieces of angle on the front that tie into the trailer frame cross member.
I like to weld a 3/8 by 24th grade 8 nut on the corner edge of the tube, after I drill and tap the hole for a set screw that takes all the side to side play out of the rack.
It's best to use a four bike rack (even if your only carrying two bikes) because they are heavier tubing thickness and you have a greater extension out the back due to the canned ham shape. This is the kind of thing you look for at garage sales, hint, hint!
Do not buy any kind of a rack that could be used with a 1 1/4" receiver tube, they are very cheaply constructed.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Mar 25, 2015 2:40:13 GMT -8
Bicycle racks on back deserves a thread for discussion. Not sure I shared here, but I had a really bad experience with one. I normally carry my bikes between my tow vehicle and trailer and will forever more . Most racks have factory warnings that specifically say not to use on the back of RV's or trailers.
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Mar 25, 2015 4:59:55 GMT -8
Susie, that warning is there because you can't see the guy with the bolt cutters running along trying to swipe a bike as nice as Macnmrs if the rack is on the back!?!
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MarthaS
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Post by MarthaS on Mar 25, 2015 5:56:28 GMT -8
Susie, that warning is there because you can't see the guy with the bolt cutters running along trying to swipe a bike as nice as Macnmrs if the rack is on the back!?! Good point Kirkadie
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Post by bigbill on Mar 25, 2015 6:02:44 GMT -8
My boss and I ride recumbent trikes and my plan is to build a sub frame that will bolt to trailer frame in front of spring shackles, come forward approximately 3 feet in front of existing coupler with a new coupler. There will be a cross member with a ball that will connect to the stock coupler. This will make rig 3 feet longer allowing room for the trikes between tow vehicle and trailer plus make the entire trailer frame more stable. The sub frame will be built from .125 wall 2"x3" steel tube. I will most likely leave it on the trailer all the time but it will be removable simply by taking out two 1/2" bolts and releasing the stock coupler. Not only will this make a secure area to transport recumbents it should make the trailer easier to maneuver and tow better.
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Mar 25, 2015 7:24:01 GMT -8
My boss and I ride recumbent trikes and my plan is to build a sub frame that will bolt to trailer frame in front of spring shackles, come forward approximately 3 feet in front of existing coupler with a new coupler. There will be a cross member with a ball that will connect to the stock coupler. This will make rig 3 feet longer allowing room for the trikes between tow vehicle and trailer plus make the entire trailer frame more stable. The sub frame will be built from .125 wall 2"x3" steel tube. I will most likely leave it on the trailer all the time but it will be removable simply by taking out two 1/2" bolts and releasing the stock coupler. Not only will this make a secure area to transport recumbents it should make the trailer easier to maneuver and tow better. Bigbill, I used to carry a Schwinn Paramount Tandem between the bows, in front of a 16' Hobie Cat catamaran sail boat.
I also agree the longer the distance between the tow ball and the trailer axle, and the shorter the tow vehicle's wheel base, the easier it is to back up a trailer. Unfortunately, we don't always have the ability to choose these distance's.
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Post by vintagebruce on Mar 25, 2015 7:26:59 GMT -8
Why not consider a tow vehicle Roof Rack if a SUV or a bed rack if a truck?
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Mar 25, 2015 7:48:28 GMT -8
Why not consider a tow vehicle Roof Rack if a SUV or a bed rack if a truck? Agree, but there's not a single good solution that works for everything.
Recumbent bikes/trikes, and Tandems are very bulky and difficult to load and transport. Even my 1950 Schwinn Black Phantom cruiser is too heavy to lift up onto a roof rack for an old guy. My F150 has a lift up, locking fiberglass bed cover. Hanging a bicycle on the back, or the front of a trailer, has the problem of excessive road dirt and bugs.
Choices, choices!
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