PdalPowr

So,where do you find the wheels for your trailers?
I am thinking my L.B.S. could supply one out of discards.
That would mean I would have to buy one that matches.
Any other ideas out there?

cooker

What size wheel? What about BMX/Trials bikes - would a couple of junk bike of that kind provide wheels you could use? Or childrens' bikes?

PdalPowr

Yes,as you say a child's or BMX bicycle wheel is my best bet.
I am pretty sure my L.B.S. could supply one but probably not two.
Unfortunately that means buying or finding the other.

cooker

I imagine there are enough bikes with 20" or whatever wheels breaking or being abandoned that leftover wheels are always becoming orphaned, but I don't know how you tap into that stream.

PdalPowr

A lot of bikes do get tossed out up my way.
Unfortunately as soon as you want something specific
the harder it is to find. I will ask my L.B.S. to
keep an eye out for me. I may even just buy
two wheels but that is a last resort.

I have a lot of time for this project and
don't work quickly anyway. The wheels
will come my way eventually.

cooker

How will you attach them to the trailer? Are there trailer axles with threading for left and right cones at both ends that extend the width of the trailer, or do you need to get a couple of front forks and somehow attach them to a trailer frame? Or some other idea?

PdalPowr

I have seen one or two trailers where
the builder did indeed use forks to support the wheels.
Unfortunately I have seen a few where the join between
forks and trailer was pretty ugly. Most folks build a
frame around the wheel and bolt it inside and out to that frame.
No need for an axle that passes from one side of the trailer to the other.

I asked my L.B.S. to be on the lookout for wheels.
Be advised I take my time with projects like this.
It could take me six months to a year.
Then again it could be finished tomorrow.
It is all up to the biking Gods.

cooker

Thanks, I gave it a bit more thought and researched it.

For a lightweight trailer I suppose you could have an axle that is only supported on one side, sort of like rear wheels of this tricycle:

,

but for a heavy duty trailer you would want the weight to be supported on both side of the axle, so you would either need a frame around the wheel or a fork.

Mind you, one time I broke the hinged rear triangle of my bike Friday and the company replaced it under warranty, so if you could somehow get the rear triangle of a couple of beater folders, I imagine you could somehow use them - a bit lighter than a solid bar cage - but I am not sure how you would attach it to the rest of the trailer or stabilize it.

PdalPowr

Absolutely,if you had the axle only supported one one side
it would have to be designed for it from the git go.

fietsbob

Skyway tough wheels fiber reinforced nylon.. sealed bearing.. good stuff, though there areothers of that type..

12.5" on my (carry-freedom-city) trailer.. same is used by BiFri.

Older Burly uses common front QR hubs,20" .. newer, use a single side 16"

cooker

if the single sided hubs and attachment are sturdy enough for the trailer's purposes, they would save a lot of weight in the framing material that would otherwise be needed to support the outside of the hub.

fietsbob

The CoOp Burly used Aluminum tube.. (prototype 40 years back,, was bent from conduit tube .. )


they dished the wheels to widen the track between them.. although they used front hubs..

PdalPowr

Thanks for all the good info.