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Trailer hitch to bicycle seat?

Old 01-24-20, 12:27 PM
  #26  
CliffordK
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I wouldn't attach a trailer to the chainstays on a CF bike.

However, a Quick Release attachment seems to be reasonably secure.



Carbon Frame
Carbon Seatpost.
Carbon Seat (although I think that one has Titanium Rails).
And, this one is about midway on a 150 mile ride.

Oh, I was going to say, vintage carbon bikes also have aluminum dropouts... which would be ,my preference.

Last edited by CliffordK; 01-24-20 at 12:46 PM.
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Old 01-24-20, 12:27 PM
  #27  
djb
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Well good luck with the improvising.
did make me smile about talking to our kids about not leaning etc. It's quite unnerving the first time they would lean out and make your bike move over a lot!
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Old 01-24-20, 12:42 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by hfbill
I use the seatpost attached "Ventura" Zinc coated bicycle hitch. It looks a bit like a small version of the kind of ball you'd see on a truck trailer hitch. I use it to tow my golf clubs (which aren't light) a few miles to our local golf course, up & down hills and partially over bumpy roads. It's always worked well for me:


Love it! Where can I buy one?

Cheers
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Old 01-24-20, 12:56 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by Miele Man
Love it! Where can I buy one?

Cheers
I bought the hitch through Amazon, I had to attach an extender (electrical conduit) with the right bend on it to the golf cart handle and then attached the hitch receiver to the end of it.

Last edited by hfbill; 01-24-20 at 03:55 PM.
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Old 01-24-20, 01:10 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by hfbill
I bought the hitch through Amazon, I had to put an extender (electrical conduit) with the right bend on it to the golf cart handle and then attached the hitch receiver to the end of it.
Thank you.
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Old 01-24-20, 01:42 PM
  #31  
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A gal I used to work with commuted by bike. That single bolt in the top of the cheaper seatposts broke on her commute one morning, fortunately for her she was not impaled by the seatpost, but she did crash.
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Old 01-24-20, 04:03 PM
  #32  
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Yep. I'm shying away from mounting to the seat rails. I was able to fit the dollar seat post clamp behind my seat. I am attaching pictures for reference even though I don't plan on following through.

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Old 01-29-20, 02:42 PM
  #33  
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I'm still tinkering. I have under $20 invested in the project so far.
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Old 01-29-20, 04:41 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by mtnbud
I'm still tinkering. I have under $20 invested in the project so far.
That looks pretty good, and I'm impressed, looks like you put safety cables at both ends too. How does it ride as shown? Not too bad with binding at u turn induced tight turning? I seem to remember kid trailer doing this a bit, but not a big deal.

Last edited by djb; 01-29-20 at 04:45 PM.
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Old 01-29-20, 04:49 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by djb
How does it ride as shown? Not to bad with binding at u turn induced tight turning? I seem to remember kid trailer doing this a bit, but not a big deal.
It pulls pretty well. It's really not noticable behind the bike. I had to adjust the angle a tad which puts a little more weight towards the bike. I loaded it up with 45lbs and found the hitch arm is a little too flexy. I'm going to beef up a couple of pivot points to see if I can get rid of the flex
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Old 01-29-20, 04:59 PM
  #36  
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Well, it's a neat diy engineering project\challenge.
ive never had any interest in using trailers, but appreciate someone doing it themselves and figuring out and adjusting stuff as you go.

Fun project
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Old 01-30-20, 06:09 AM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by mtnbud
Nice trailer! You could haul quite a bit with that!
Thanks. Being a Thule Chariot frame, the trailer is actually fully suspended from the axle with leaf springs (the two red pieces you see forward of the axle). There's a sliding collar you use to adjust the flex on the springs -- it's really a brilliant design. I've hauled my 70-pound daughter up and down the road with this and it's quite a workout (but the trailer handles it fine). The ride is super plush with the weight on it. The design intent is to be able to haul camp chairs and the like, for trips to the park and such.
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Old 01-31-20, 06:34 PM
  #38  
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The trailer is finished. It was a fun project though I have no real need for it. Next step will be to try it out on a trip to see how it holds up. The hitch is on the seat post of my Specialized Epic so it'd need to be a fairly level route!
Link to pictures and video.
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Old 01-31-20, 07:10 PM
  #39  
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well, you're all set for next years christmas tree or large potted plants!
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Old 02-02-20, 06:38 PM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by mtnbud
The trailer is finished. It was a fun project though I have no real need for it. Next step will be to try it out on a trip to see how it holds up. The hitch is on the seat post of my Specialized Epic so it'd need to be a fairly level route!
Link to pictures and video.
C’mon, load that backpack up with a good solid 40 pounds, and carry it on your back!!! 🙄😁😉

Just kidding, of course. I’ve actually thought about trailers for awhile now, and I think a single-wheeled one, with quick-release axle mounting would be my choice. 🤔

But actual experience is what counts most, and I have none, with trailers yet. Good luck. ✌️
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Old 02-05-20, 07:59 PM
  #41  
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If you are towing your kids back there I woul consider their safety paramount. I would not Mickey Mouse anything that could be unsafe. First I would swap in a sturdy aluminum post and then use a fully manufacturer certified solution (they all say no carbon if they attatch to teh seat post). Another alternative is the Burley trailer that attaches to a rear rack. I would not want to see my kids passing me on a detatched trailer somewhere!
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