R578645

I've been working on my diy trailer slowly during the winter. Not enough to post a pic yet though. I haven't got the 16" wheel yet though. I was curious about the bearing size for the wheel of the Bob yak. The Burley Coho uses a RSR8 bearing which is 1/2" x 1 1/8" x 5/16". Does anyone have a wheel off a Bob yak they could check the bearing number? Just curious which one has the bigger bearing.

R578645

Actually, it looks like they changed their hubs a couple of times looking at some old pictures. Ancient history now.

R578645

One thing is that Diy doesn't save you much like it used to. You could just get a used trailer for probably cheaper then trying to build one. It's more of a hobby now.

Leisesturm

I saw your o.p. and waited to say exactly this. But, tbh, DIY never saved you money when a factory product exists. The volume discount always prevails, especially when a secondhand market (somewhat) takes the sting out of the first pass profit mark-up.

That said, DIY gives you an opportunity to innovate. Why try to find out what size of bearing is in a BOB Yak? Who cares. If you think a bigger bearing is a better idea, go for it. And why not a 20" wheel for your DIY? That, IMO would make it an easier pull. 16" is a general compromise that YOU don't have to make. What you do have to do is make the thing straight. And I mean STRAIGHT. I wouldn't want to try unless making things like that was a regular part of my creativity. If it isn't yours then, yes, buying a used trailer is the way to go. Cut your losses and get your life back.

FWIW I bought a Yak new in 2005. Someone stole the trailer bag in 2010. We bought another. Given how many years we have had the trailer and the new bag, what we paid for them has absolutely been worth it buying new. Absolutely, no point in even arguing about it. I/we use the thing multiple times per week and have for decades. I never even gave a seconds thought to trying to build one. If I was going to go through the effort of a project like that it would have to be one of those 6' Bike for Work industrial trailers. Something gnarly like that.

R578645

I usually use panniers and a backpack. Never had a trailer. Might go with a 20 inch wheel. Hard to find any wheel used for cheap it seems. By the time you get the tire, tube,etc, its a 100 bucks. That doesn't make much sense. Just buy new. Same price.

R578645

Found the hitch pin in the street. It seems to work. I like free stuff.

R578645

Getting some warpage on welding the tubes. Didn't see anyone talk about it on the other diy trailers i've seen. Maybe that's why they didn't use real bearings on the head tube.

R578645

Well it's not too pretty but at least I'll know which one is mine. Flux core is a pita.

DeadGrandpa

I had very good results using the ExtraWheel trailer.
https://extrawheel.com/categories/bicycle-trailers/
It doesn't have a platform like the Bob trailer, but it's substantially lighter.

Leisesturm

I kinda did ...

R578645

I did some test pieces years ago. Just some T's with the pipe. Brazing didn't warp it. But the arc did if it was just on one side of the pipe. So I weld on both sides of pipe or reverse bend pipe then weld. I do have mapp gas/oxygen hobby torch but don't want to a run a flame on a wood table. Cost too much anyway. You can get the flux core welds to look pro with glazing spot putty. Then paint over it to hide everything.

R578645

I've seen that one before. Amazing how small diameter the fork is. Then it goes to large diameter tubing. I need the platform.