Big Dummy gets Bigger: Surly Ted Trailer build
 

Aloha!

I've ridden (and loved) my Big Dummy for several years now. Recently I built a small stand for selling artwork at local events
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=376655
and it dawned on me that I just may be able to slap the stand on a bike trailer and leave the car at home. Did some research, and ordered a strong-as-a-tank ted trailer from Surly. It took some modifying to get the stand "trailer ready" (cubbies for my inventory had to get bulkheads to prevent things from sliding around, lashings to stow the pop-up umbrella, etc), but I am more than happy with the end result. Here I am on this afternoon's test ride in front of the house:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=376656
It is a strange sensation riding with the load. I'm not at the 300lb limit for the trailer - but I suspect I've got at least 150lbs back there. Needles to say, I'll be keeping things nice and slow (and avoiding all hills). Tomorrow is the trailer's first "real world" test selling art. I can't wait!

Cool idea. How did the first day go?

I bet hauling your stuff by bike improves sales.

Nice!

Day 1 was a great success! Next saturday will be the real challenge - as there are a couple of hills between me and the fairground. Overall it was soooo much easer to transport vs. loading the stand in and out of a pickup truck. Nice and quiet, too. I had a flock of kids on bikes follow me home - they loved seeing a bike haul such a big trailer!

All you need is a gear low enough, and you can climb just about anything. Balancing at low speed becomes tricky but not impossible.

I've got a Rohloff hub on the Big Dummy - I've done the hills with an adult on the back of the bike. Took it nice & slow and the hub handled it well. It will be interesting to see how the trailer is pulling uphill. I suspect it is at least 50lb heaver than my usual passenger.

You could always put disk braked wheels on the trailer and have a detachable brake lever (with a long cable to the trailer) to use instead of your normal rear brake.

yes the Sturmey Archer company makes single sided mount Drum brake hubs , and the tadpole recumbent trike makers

have created a market for disc brake single side mount hubs too .. there are already parts made to pull 2 cables with one lever

so as to get the trailer under control with all that weight, downhill ..