How my home-built bicycle trailer lowers my MPG

[Nevyn]

Tank MPG is down, but Tank TIME is up - how many extra days are you going between fills now?

[Grant-53]

A good trailer is very handy. I suggest a 3/8 inch throttle joint for the hitch and 1-1/2 inch angle aluminum for the frame would help those who don't weld.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Nevyn

Tank MPG is down, but Tank TIME is up - how many extra days are you going between fills now?

A lot! Looks like I only put 2 tanks of gas through the Firefly in 2010.

2011 was more convoluted because I got the UFO. Probably 4 tanks between them both.

Originally Posted by Grant-53

A good trailer is very handy. I suggest a 3/8 inch throttle joint for the hitch and 1-1/2 inch angle aluminum for the frame would help those who don't weld.

Good idea. Had to look up "throttle joint":




I plan to improve my bike trailer this year. It needs some sides on it (or some kind of bin) so I can just throw stuff "in" it, instead of always having to strap stuff ON to it.

[Xringer]

Bicycle Cargo Trailers, Double Child Bike Trailers, Strollers, Bike Trailers, i10Direct, Aosom

I've noticed there maybe a choice of two wheel mounting Designs..
(I don't think the pic above shows an actual 2-sided mount. But, it would look kinda like the right pic)
It seems like support on both sides of the axial would support more weight..?.

It would be nice to have at least a 200 pound load capacity.

I'm trying to figure out how we can haul stuff (like groceries etc), just in case things get worse,
and gasoline becomes more expensive than Crown Royal whiskies.

[Stubone]

If I were you I would build an aero-bin, we have a chariot and my wife refers to it as the Parachute and that's with it in the wind shadow of her recumbent trike.

[Xringer]

We will only have to go a few miles max, going very slow.
So, aerodynamics (and speed) shouldn't be a concern.

Some of the baby-twin carriers that I've seen on the bike trails look like they might
be able to haul up to 70-80 pounds, so we would need one on each bike for groceries.
I think those units might be pretty light.. Which could be important to an
elderly person trying to push all that metal & groceries up a hill.


I can't even imagine this guy going up hill...

[Grant-53]

Even in the 6-10 mph range air drag reduction is helpful. More places are allowing electric motors on bicycles that have a maximum speed of 20 mph. An Xtracycle frame extension with an electric motor or a tandem trike might be options for older couples. What ever the rig, fairings offer energy savings and protection from the elements. See my pictures in the bike pic thread.

[Xringer]

Yeah you are right.. I can draft off my wife at 8 MPH..
But, I'm thinking along the lines of something that won't take up a lot of space in the garage.
Some of the factory-made karts can be folded up small, for storage.

I'm starting to think maybe one of these 100 pound haulers:
Amazon.com: InStep Rocket Aluminum Bike Trailer: Sports & Outdoors



Keep the plastic covers zipped up and it might be a bit aerodynamic..

I think hauling our food in one of these, would make it a lot safer..
Since not many people want to drive real close to a baby..
Whereas, they will drive very close to regular old people..
(Unless you aren't wearing your helmet).

Yeah, now I remember seeing a few people in Lexington hauling their food in these things!!