Universal joint for a bike trailer

"Deep Floyd Mars" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hey folks!

I am currently building a 2-wheeled trailer. I have the frame and wheels pretty much complete
and looking good, but am now trying to figure out how to fasten it to my seat post via a
universal joint.

I figured that maybe a ball joint would be the best, but have no idea as

to

Quoted message said:

where to start looking for something like that. I would like a

configuration

Quoted message said:

that is light, and easy to disconnect.

Has anyone got any creative solutions?

Northern Tool (or Northern Hydraulics) northerntool.comnortherntool.comOpen ↗ has little ball joints used in
building gokarts. They might work well, but they do have a little bit of slop. McMaster
mcmaster.commcmaster.comOpen ↗ has plenty of solutions for this. In Europe a few years ago, at Halford's,
I found a wee trailer hitch. Looked just like a car hitch, but 1/4 size.

home made solutions: A short, thick rubber hose, inside of a spring, and some sort of quick release
pin at the bike end. A 3/8" or 1/2" universal socket adapter. drill a hole in the bike end for a
quick release pin. bikesatwork.combicycle trailer guide 2.htmlOpen ↗

google for "universal joint" + bicycle.

Pete

Pete <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Deep Floyd Mars" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hey folks!

I am currently building a 2-wheeled trailer. I have the frame and wheels pretty much complete
and looking good, but am now trying to figure out

how

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to fasten it to my seat post via a universal joint.

I figured that maybe a ball joint would be the best, but have no idea as

to

Quoted message said:

where to start looking for something like that. I would like a

configuration

Quoted message said:

that is light, and easy to disconnect.

Has anyone got any creative solutions?

Northern Tool (or Northern Hydraulics) northerntool.comnortherntool.comOpen ↗ has little ball joints used in
building gokarts. They might work well, but

they

Quoted message said:

do have a little bit of slop. McMaster mcmaster.commcmaster.comOpen ↗ has plenty of solutions for this.
In Europe a few years ago, at Halford's, I found a wee trailer hitch.

Looked

Quoted message said:

just like a car hitch, but 1/4 size.

home made solutions: A short, thick rubber hose, inside of a spring, and some sort of quick
release pin at the bike end. A 3/8" or 1/2" universal socket adapter. drill a hole in the
bike end for

a

Quoted message said:

quick release pin.

bikesatwork.combicycle trailer guide 2.htmOpen ↗ l

Thanks Pete. There appears to be no distributor for McMaster in Australia unfortuately. I am no sure
about how to find the equivalent over here.

I dont quite understand how the hose-in-a-spring solution works, but am interested. Can't seem to
find an illustration anywhere. Have searched google!!! What happens in this situation if the trailer
rolls over?

Thanks!
---
DFM

In article <[email hidden]>, Deep Floyd Mars

Quoted message said:

Hey folks!

I am currently building a 2-wheeled trailer. I have the frame and wheels pretty much complete
and looking good, but am now trying to figure out how to fasten it to my seat post via a
universal joint.

I figured that maybe a ball joint would be the best, but have no idea as to where to start looking
for something like that. I would like a configuration that is light, and easy to disconnect.

I used a "control arm bearing" with the trailer I made. They use these in aircraft. (I'm convinced
that a decent hitch is the hardest part of making a trailer).

-frank
--

"Deep Floyd Mars" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hey folks!

I am currently building a 2-wheeled trailer. I have the frame and wheels pretty much complete
and looking good, but am now trying to figure out how to fasten it to my seat post via a
universal joint.

I figured that maybe a ball joint would be the best, but have no idea as to where to start looking
for something like that. I would like a configuration that is light, and easy to disconnect.

Has anyone got any creative solutions?
---
DFM

I don't know how heavy will be the load you plan to carry, but one solution would be to get the
"alternate hitch" from Burley (burley.comburley.comOpen ↗) or the new 2003 hitch from Chariot
(chariotcarriers.comchariotcarriers.comOpen ↗).

I know the latter is sold separately to upgrage older child carriers (I have a used 2000 one); it
comes with the ball and the receiver end that attach through the rear quick release, and it is
definitely strong enough for, say 50-70 kg (100-150 lb).

Regards,

Michel