Obtained a trailer.

My neighbor was going to take his bike trailer to the city dump. I found this out when he asked me if I had anything I had to get rid of. I did, an worn out queen size mattress and a broken office chair. He told me to put it behind his garage and he haul it away. This is when I saw a bike trailer sitting there and asked him about it. He was going to haul that away so I took it instead.

It is a kids trailer. My wife and I do not have children so I am not going to use it for that. In fact I cut the cover off and threw it away. I then took the trailer apart to see what it needs for repairs. that includes:
1. New tires
2. Rims trued and some spokes replaced
3. May need hubbearings repacked
4. Frame needs to be cleaned, have some rust cleaned off and touch up painting done
5. New bolt and nut for chain stay attachment
6. Pretty much every pivot point lubricated. (the trailer folds down for storage)

After I do the basics listed above I am going to turn the trailer into a cargo hauler. For the sides and top I am going to use a material called corroplast and for the floor I am thinking of using a strong, thin, sheet metal. Somethign stong enough to handle most loads up to 100 pounds, but thin and light enough to not add too much weight to the trailer. The steel sheet will likely be bolted tot he frame and the corroplast cable tied.

This build project will take palce through out the rest of the year. I'll photograph my progress and post it on my blog site and let you know if anyone is interested. Also any suggestions are welcome as well.

 

What I will more than likely do is go to some place like Loews or The Home Depot and see what they have for sheet metal and go from there. One thing I have experience with trailers towed by a motor vehicle is the aluminum can get very hot when in the sun. Painted steel, not too much, but still can get very warm.

The aluminum sheets Bonded to balsa wood is an interesting idea but I think that may be somethinG out of my current budget range for this build. I have no problem conisdering it for the future. This will be able to be changed after all as nothing will be welded.

 

Good idea. But right now, outside my project budget. Fabric may not hold up the abuse steel or aluminum can.

 

Yes, I'll try to upload them tonight.

 

Blog post with photos: Trailer Build I will upload more as I take them.