Introducing "I-lean"

[sirepair]

Over the past few weeks I built a one-wheeled trailer. Based on H20Riders (thanks Kries!) that I saw at Moonshine. I used a 4.80-8 wheel/tire combo along with an axle/hub/bearings, a plastic "Job Box" and wiring all purchased from my local Tractor Supply. I pillaged a bicycle for a shock, found some tapered steering bearings for the swingarm and utilized steel bits that we had lying about the shop.

I used a GL1500 drive shaft U-joint that was "opened up" with a die-grinder to allow a greater range of motion.

My hitch is a Classic Industries hitch that I added the "receiver" and gussets to. I used a 5pin plug that I wired in to the tail light and the trailer has all LED lighting, including corner markers.

Though I have not weighed it, I would guess that the finish weight is about 85-90 lbs.

I hooked it up and towed it to the BRG last week; it worked very well. 80+mph on I40 through the Smokies!! I still need to adjust my suspension settings (felt like a big girl was riding on back!) but I think once that is addressed it will be fine.


UPDATE: Pictures of build below.

 

[uptoblackwood]

Cool beans!

 

[motomac]

Having seen this trailer first hand at the blue Riodge Gathering last week, I declare it a huge success. I think our Knoxville trailer builder was impressed as well. Nice job Pat.

 

[sirepair]

Thanks Mac! Hearing that from you means alot!

 

[Mellow]

Very cool... integrated drink holders... gotta love it..

 

[Gene]

Real cool Pat ,I bet with a small windshield and a small seat in it BriAnn could you it as a rumble seat on the Moonshine run !

 

[sirepair]

Real cool Pat ,I bet with a small windshield and a small seat in it BriAnn could you it as a rumble seat on the Moonshine run !

She had mentioned something along that line....

 

[Mountain Mike]

Very sexy trailer!

 

[Capt_Gruuvy]

That's great ! Now you can dispose of the bodies so much farther from home !

Perfect.

 

[Bones]

Four built-in cup holders for campfire time...nice!

 

[sirepair]

Since photobucket kicked the free bucket, thought I would update this post with pictures of the build.

Most of the parts for the build came from Tractor Supply, including the Job Box.


Here's the suspension/swing arm assembly just before attaching it to the main frame. Shock is from a bicycle.


After cutting off the "drop" for the hitch ball mount, I turned down the receiver to fit it inside the end of the GL1500 U-Joint.


Here's the U-Joint test fitting.


After welding the U-Joint to the receiver, and getting ready to weld it to the main frame tube.


I added a receiver tube and a brace/gusset to my Classic Industries hitch.


This is the rear of the frame tube, with the pivot tube for the swing arm and the shock mount and gussets welded on.


Here is the frame mounted on the bottom of the Job Box.


Mounted LED lights to the lid.


Here's the final assembly.


A few notes: I had to grind out the U-Joint to allow more range of motion, as it did not swing far enough to turn the bike at full lock. I used a 5 pin trailer connector for the wiring, allowing Running/Stop/Right & Left Turn lights. This Job Box is not waterproof, so items the need to stay dry have to be packed in some type of bag. I have since added a folding "kick stand" which allows the trailer to stand up when not in use and some tie-down loops on the top to anchor items, like a cooler, to.

I have towed this trailer several thousands of miles now, and have been very pleased with the results. Took it to Canada with 2 cases of beer and our extra gear in it a few years back, and hauled T-shirts to the Moonshine Lunch Run. It's been pulled at triple-digit speeds without issue, and I can do full-lock figure-8 turns in parking lots.

If you are interested in building something like this, I will be glad to help you with any information I can provide.

 

[Art Franz]

And I see that you’ve even got it set up for when you have a heavy load the extra wheels on the job box are there to back up that single wheel

lol

 

[Obo]

And I see that you’ve even got it set up for when you have a heavy load the extra wheels on the job box are there to back up that single wheel
lol

Those are training wheels

 

[sirepair]

Extra wheels only used in the twisties!

Here's a more recent photo of the bike and trailer in action, returning from last fall's WV-STOC. Photo credit to Judy Brown!

 

[Ron]

Nice bike! I've always liked the'03 white bikes. The first one I saw was in Tenn. Uncle Phil was showing us around and we stopped at a dealership for something. If the roads hadn't been so much fun, I'd probably have talked to a salesman.

Trailer is nice too.

 

[RichKat]

Very cool, and thanks for the ideas