powered trailer idea (EV pusher trailer to make conventional car a hybrid)

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by ttoyoda

aerohead,
That sounds really cool. Do you have a writeup about it somewhere?

I did a write up.Its lost in the sea of pages.It was promising.Turned out,I had two completely burned-through vacuum lines behind carburetor and she ran real rich.Through Texas,New Mexico,and Colorado,at speeds up to 85-mph,and Vail Pass,at 10,600-ft,she averaged 49-mpg behind the CRX.Hope to redo test one day with good rubber hoses.In the Phil Knox aerodynamic photo album there is a shot of the monstrosity.Suzuki TM 400 motocross bike chassis was foundation for rig.

[Andyman]

Originally Posted by millenniumtree

I've considered the idea of a powered trailer for a bicycle as well. It would just be a single-wheel with a small lawnmower or strimmer motor on top. People say you can't use a vertical-shaft motor for these types of things, but I say you just have to be more creative. :P

I've been thinking about this too. One solution I like is to connect the engine to an oil pump, use the oil flow to run a second oil pump used as a motor and transmit the power to the wheel with a chain or belt. Maybe the second pump could even be built into the hub of a wheel. If one of the the pumps is a variable displacement type, this would allow changes in gear ratio. I've seen a saw mill on a trailer that used this kind of power transmission.

[pfznik]

Me again,

I'm still trying to find out why a trailer might not have four wheels out at the corners, wagon style, so that the trailer could stand on its own with out landing gear. After all, small autos that are brought along behind motorhomes are towed four wheels down. Is there some simple dynamic reason why this is not a good idea (ie, such as why manhole covers are round for example)? Am I missing something? Of course, front wheels (possibly rear as well) would have to pivot or be under a fifth wheel in order to track properly. I can see how having each wheel on it's own pivot as in an automobile might be problematic even if linked by a tie rod. If the pivot were a little ahead of the wheel like a furniture caster it would be an improvement though not ideal. It seems to me that having the steering axle attached to a fifth wheel that is turned by the draw bar as in an old fashioned wagon should certainly work (the kiss answer). I believe having the wheels on separate pivots could also work as well if they were directed by a tie rod that was in turn directed by the draw bar. What do you think? Any problems? Is it possible?

[ASV]

yes it is
you need some sort of caster arrangement for the front wheels
the only problem is that the puling vehicle needs to way significantly more than the trailer
Even with two wheel trailers its not that hard to balance them to the point of being able to lift the tongue with a finger the problem comes from momentum
You need the extra down force to give you traction otherwise your going to be pushed all over the place
Plus its an easy way to carry an extra bit of lode
any lode you put on the tongue is not on the trailers axles

[Nerys]

oddly the primary drivability issues goes away with tiny cars. I have a tiny trailer for my geo metro (I tow freaking everything with it !!) and I can still fit in almost any normal car space WITH the trailer attached without sticking out.

Shorter trailers jack knife REALLY easy so its a pita to back up if you don't have practice (I have a lot of practice) and one issue is the trailer is so small you can not SEE it till its already going one way or the other. (solved this with those fiberglass sticks you get with the little flags on them)

Man I have to find me some golf cart stuff to play with.