Trail a bike modification

[vermont]

Hey all,
I have a trail-a-bike (normally for kids to ride on behind an adult attached to the seat post).  I have stripped it down and have contemplated how to turn it into a mt bike trailer for about a year now.  Has anyone seen such a conversion or have idea on how to do it?  I'm very handy on a sewing machine and am pretty handy with wood working.  My ideas are for keeping the center of gravity low and strap dry bags too it, but how to do it???
I have a dual suspension mt bike with no hope of a frame bag.
Thanks,
Scott

[Atomic]

Post pictures of stripped down "Trail a bike" or at least make model info. It seems like you should be able to do a DIY BOB trailer that way.

[bpeschka]

Something like this?

https://www.bikeshophub.com/trailers/extrawheel-voyager-bike-trailer-p-1377.html

[bakerjw]

When I was in initial stages of planning a TD ride, I was looking at running an inline trailer similar to what you are talking about doing. I figured that I would ship it to a bike shop in Canada and pick it up before starting my ride.

I know that I could easily modify a frame like those have and have it work well. I'd be cutting and grinding away a lot of the unnecessary items to reduce weight. I'd also weld on some tabs near the rear hangers so that I could mount an aluminum protector around the wheel. That would allow more saddle bags back there. Once that was all done, I'd paint it too so that it looked decent again.

Very doable and will provide a lot of pack space.

Post pics of what you have.

[vermont]

I'm torn currently.  Do I modify the trailer and have something that is very heavy but very usable, or do I go full "bikepacking" style and make mini/micro racks and panniers.
As far as the trailer, I'm down to adding rectangular plywood "racks" attaching them to the seat and chain stays with P clamps.  I could also strap a few small bags to the "front" triangle.  An angle grinder and possibly a drill would be used to remove as much unnecessary weight as possible.  I also need to find a hub that I know I have somewhere in my trash pile to replace the bolt on axle with a quick release.  I have two days off and no plans so I might putz with it.

[marpilli]

I did a "no sew" conversion using nylon webbing and it worked well.  A friend currently uses the trailer as a grocery-getter.

Pics: http://huckingkitty.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1270

[vermont]

So I did do something to the trail a bike that I had and concluded that is was big ugly and heavy.  I have seen the Extrawheel before and that is what I would actually have if I could justify the cost.  So I have decided to scratch the ideas with the trail a bike and attempt to make an Extrawheel from scratch.  I do believe that I can make it work by using mostly plywood.  I spent this afternoon turning a fry pan into drop outs.  Is anyone interested in me posting updates?  Before anyone points out that this is very impractical, I know that it is.  Its mostly a project to keep my mind happy and to see just what I can do (and use it when its done for weekend trips).

[marpilli]

I'd like to read updates and see what you come up with.

[RonK]

So I have decided to scratch the ideas with the trail a bike and attempt to make an Extrawheel from scratch.  I do believe that I can make it work by using mostly plywood.

Rather make your own dropouts - wouldn't an old bike fork be the logical way to start?

[vermont]

If I could weld, then absolutely and old fork would be a good starting place.  The "frame" is going to wrap around the wheel so the drop outs aren't going to have horrible stresses on them.  Hopefully I'm not making an anchor but I don't think the weight will be that bad.

[vermont]

I'll post a small update.  If this works, I'll post pictures in its own post.  So far I have made the back half of it and I really do believe its going to work AND be reproducible.  I was originally going to wrap the rear frame all the way around the extra wheel but discovered it was quite sturdy and cut the rear frame in half so it looks more like a commercial Extra-Wheel.  I bought a quick release skewer from here (http://www.mayacycle.com/) instead of BOB and now need to complete the front half.  After that... It will be done.  I'll have to do some testing but assuming it tracks and doesn't fall apart, the testing should be short.

[vermont]

So here is a pic of the finished product.  No pretty but I do believe it will be completely functional

[vermont]

more pics