Single Wheel Hybrid Trailer concept

[Christ]

Originally Posted by Coyote X

Use a u-joint to let it move up and down and side to side without being able to twist.

Works for single wheel motorcycle trailers

Would also work great inside the 2" stock needed for a class III hitch! Great idea!

Could use an HD U-joint from just about any RWD car/truck, and they can be cheaply had.

Welding in a single CV joint probably would work as well, but it would be more of a pain, I'm sure.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by Christ

Given an initial test, turning shouldn't really be an issue. Unless you're just looking for something to be obstinate about...

I think if you think about it a bit longer, you will change your mind.

If the tire is pressing down hard enough to transmit any decent amount of torque, it will also be pressing down hard enough to have a hard time sliding sideways.

The u-joint idea might be a good one!

[Christ]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I think if you think about it a bit longer, you will change your mind.

Why would I?

Initial test - hook the thing up, make sure it's able to keep the vehicle moving, and won't fall apart/off the vehicle, unhook it.

Even if you do have to turn at some point in the path of testing it for function, the worst thing that will happen is you're going to drag the tire. Given the amount of times I've slid my Civic's around w/ the e-brake locked, and never made obvious damage to the tires, I'm sure it won't be an issue for an initial test.

Once again, unless you just want something to be obstinate about.

[Frank Lee]

Who would go through all the work of building something for "an initial test" if you know from the outset that scrub, probably severe, is going to be an outcome that needs to be fixed anyway?

[Christ]

Proof of concept?

People often test things before they're completed. Off topic.

[Frank Lee]

We already know how much hp/torque is needed to move a vehicle. So what's the "test"?

[almightybmw]

One motorcycle tire. Caster solved.
One air ram. Ground pressure/high speed solved.
two hydraulic, center returning, properly tuned shocks. Turning solved.
Batteries on or off? User discretion based on needs. No need to debate semantics, we all have different needs and wants. Both have ups and downs.
If on: would need a suspension to deal with the added weight, otherwise you'll be wearing out the tire system quickly. Would also make ditching your "trailer" simple, an easy way to drop weight, all of it.
If off: Trailer is easier to control, less mass pushing you, more mass over the truck's wheels. Tight turns wouldn't force a jack-knifing.

There are so many variables it's stupid to discredit one person's ideas. What works for you fails for me. I would never do this, I take my truck over pot holes knowing it'll soak it up without bottoming out or up. It's a truck. It goes offroad. The roads here are abusive. A system like this wouldn't last a year. It'd be pointless in the winter (parts at least). Etc, etc. Frank, Christ, stop arguing over who's right. You both are.

[Frank Lee]

Well, I guess I could be a yes-man for everything and just wait for (obvious to me) issues to arise AFTER THINGS ARE BUILT.

[almightybmw]

Oh totally.
I think my friend and I have rebuilt and re-designed the bike trailer 3 times now. The last time it was a broken wheel mount. 2 screws just couldn't handle the side loads of curbs...that was an obvious screwup that we somehow missed, the other wheel has 3 times the screws. Parts were all free, so we didn't see a need to engineer it for all situations, we just adjust it when the situation arises. And the last adjustment is so we can hook it up to the motor-bike instead of my road bike. We already made a concept mock up (I side on the trailer and put my hands on the bike stem to keep the front tire outa the trailer).
But if you know your needs and situations, and can design/build for it, don't skimp. Do it right. otherwise...

Eh. I think poorly built things are fun, especially when your trailer comes unhitched in traffic and you can't stop laughing because it made an illegal turn (it was funny, and the risk was low).

[Blue Bomber Man]

Personally I think you should get a genset for your house. Put it into a nice aero trailer. And when you go on a road trip, hook it up to an all electric vehicle to make it a serial hybrid. Could go with a nice clean diesel setup too, run it on bio-diesel. Not exactly an original idea, but I think it's a good one!

I envision families with two electric cars, and one genset for the house. When they need more range they bring the genset along.