Trailers for Trikes

cscotthendry · February 9, 2011

Thanks for the inputs everyone.

RE:Carrying the wing on the racks. I use some extra foam padding on the racks and so far (4 trips far in excess of 100K's) no damage to the wing. I've found that I do not need to strap the wing down excessively tight for it to stay put on the racks. I haven't seen any wear on the wing or the bag from the trips.

RE:Fuel consumption. Yep, that's going to be an issue with the covered trailer vs the open one. I have a V6 RAV4 that uses about 10L/100K without towing anything. The open trailer boosts that a fair bit and it will be interesting to see what affect the covered trailer has. As for speed on the highway, the RAV will do whatever I ask as long as I'm prepared to foot the fuel bill. On a recent trip, I had to pass a 85K/hr slowpoke on a steep hill whilst towing the trike. When I started to pass him, he started to speed up (they always do) and I had to accelerate (uphill) to about 120K to get past him. The 200 killer-wasps just growled and got on with it.

I decided to go fo a covered trailer this time partly as added protection and security for the trike and wing and partly as emergency accomodation.

Aaron, how much does your trailer weigh? Did you design that from scratch or was it converted from some other use? Also, what are the things attached to the sides of the ramp? Are they springs of some description? How do you get the wing up the top?

Tracktop · February 9, 2011

Hi

If you are concerned about weight have a look at a product called monopan.

. Not cheap but very light, strong and very easy frame free construction.

Imo overall economy is more about number of axles rather that size / weight. Though size and weight does have an effect,, especially with speed and hills.

cscotthendry · February 9, 2011

Ray:

Very interesting. I've emailed them for details. Many thanks for that.

eastmeg2 · February 9, 2011

I like the look of that Monopan. Could probably even retro-fit an existing open frame trike trailer with it. However there was no mention of how well it holds up to UV exposure.

I have the Burketown Morning Glory on my Bucket List. One of these years I intend to get up there with a trike in tow to surf that wave, unless I've done like Alf in the meantime (Dark Side) and wing it all the way. But I don't think I'll be towing a trike that far with the i30. A man's gotta know his (cars) limitations. I'll need room to stretch while driving. If I'm still Triking at that time I'll likely get a 2nd hand Falcon wagon and resell it afterwards.

Cheers,

Glen

Tracktop · February 10, 2011

Designed for truck pantec's so should be fine . comes painted one or both sides should also help.

product is available x Melbourne.

cscotthendry · February 10, 2011

I've been in touch with the local Monopan distributor. He seems eager to be helpful and has supplied me with dimensions and weights. Two big advantages I see with this stuff are a)Weight/durability. The stuff is made from plastic and from accounts I've read elsewhere it's TOUGH. b)Sheet sizes. I was thinking of cladding my trailer with sheet aluminium. The 2400 X 1200 sheet sizes demand joints in sometimes awkward places. Not so with the Monopan. The sheet sizes are such that semi-trailer sides can be fabricated from a single sheet, they're enormous.

I've been invited to the showroom/warehouse by the local distributor who has also kindly offered samples. They'll most likely be offcuts but still useful to get a feel for the material.

Ray, thanks again for the tip. This stuff has already taken my trailer design to a whole new level.:thumb_up:

skeptic36 · February 13, 2011

Or you could get a set-up like this

[ATTACH]13123.vB[/ATTACH]

cscotthendry · February 13, 2011

Here's some others that the Monopan people sent me.

The graphic is what I'm now considering. The walls will be made from one continuous piece of Monopan, the top from another piece. I think this can be made with no internal framework except for around the ramp door in the rear. Of course it will have to have a chassis...

heldering · May 14, 2011

Scott, I've got my new Revo the second in Australia just arrived in Melbourne and will get to take delivery at the end of the month from LaTrobe Valley Airfield as I'm overseas next week. A project very dear to my heart is to design and have built an enclosed trailer that will take my Revo with wing attached but folded (its a strutted wing no King Post) and dropped onto a dolly to reduce height. The goal is to have rapid assembly and takedown without the physical labour of having to take the wing off and de-rig. The trailer will need to be about 20-22 feet long plus a 3 ft V nose, 6ft 6in high interior and width as close to the 2.5 metre max allowed for at least 2 metre internal width. The mobile hangar/trailer will be towed behind a motorhome to add another dimension to a trip around Australia. Design aim is to incorporate a 120 litre fuel tank, space for small motorcycle, airbag suspension, custom designed wing supports. Initial research shows Australia manufacturing prices in aluminium are $30k plus. USA build option around $12k including freight to Australia as option of including new Revo inside reduces freight costs. I'm interested in Monopan, can you advise distributor and person to get some advice re this material please? Cheers Herman

cscotthendry · May 14, 2011

Herman:

The contact details for the company are

http://www.tctman.com.au/contact_us.html

They have distributors/fabricators around the country. Best to contact Monopan directly to find out who is closest to you. The stuff looks VERY good, but it certainly isn't cheap.

May 15, 2011

Scott, that is some outstanding work you have done there on your Flight Sim. It's something I keep in the back of my mind to do in future, being a computer tech I wont have a problem with the setup of extra screens etc, but your pics and info are a big help and have been noted for future use. Many thanks, keep up the good work. Regards Brett

cscotthendry · May 15, 2011

Brett:

May 15, 2011

Scott, that looks dark. Hope it's Guinness or Coopers Stout?? ;)

cscotthendry · May 15, 2011

Scott, that looks dark. Hope it's Guinness or Coopers Stout?? ;)

Budweiser would you believe?

May 15, 2011

Havent tried that for years, I had a nice german tonite (free from a customer - the best kind).

June 17, 2011

Hi all:Here's the latest of my trailer's progress. The deck is on and now I need to get the wing rack, stone deflector and wheel restraints made.

Hi All been following this thread and finally have finished my trike trailer. It has travelled 3000 km for the trial run and now has been powder-coated

1056825193_photo3.JPG.79e4b0dcaf42d26c8253a57c38789d56.JPG

the design is such that I can load and unload the trike and wing very easily by myself. the front wing saddle has a bolt about 150mm from top of mount which when removed allows wing mount to swivel around. Unloading the wing is done by removing lock bolt then lift rear part and walk away form trailer then remove front of wing and drive trailer away. the design has allowed the front wing mount to be raised to clear the height of most 4w d Wagons and in the lower position will clear most sedans and utes. 3 Jerry cans and spare wheel mount on R/H side lockable box on front holds helmets, headsets and other light tools when flying this doubles as storage for covers and wing bag. all up weight of the trailer is 123kg and is constructed of galvanised 35mm x 65mm 2mm rhs and 25mm x 50mm x 2mm rhs galvanised guards axle is 1650mm total cost of trailer build was $1700

Cheers Brett

skeptic36 · June 17, 2011

Hi All been following this thread and finally have finished my trike trailer. It has travelled 3000 km for the trial run and now has been powder-coated[ATTACH=full]14140[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]14141[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]14142[/ATTACH]the design is such that I can load and unload the trike and wing very easily by myself. the front wing saddle has a bolt about 150mm from top of mount which when removed allows wing mount to swivel around. Unloading the wing is done by removing lock bolt then lift rear part and walk away form trailer then remove front of wing and drive trailer away. the design has allowed the front wing mount to be raised to clear the height of most 4w d Wagons and in the lower position will clear most sedans and utes. 3 Jerry cans and spare wheel mount on R/H side lockable box on front holds helmets, headsets and other light tools when flying this doubles as storage for covers and wing bag. all up weight of the trailer is 123kg and is constructed of galvanised 35mm x 65mm 2mm rhs and 25mm x 50mm x 2mm rhs galvanised guards axle is 1650mm total cost of trailer build was $1700

Cheers Brett

:thumb_up: Good work

Regards Bill

cscotthendry · June 18, 2011

Brett:

I love the wing rack. Brilliant, mate.

June 18, 2011

Cheers

Air Creation · July 4, 2011

Hi All..trike trailors ..mmm!!

My trailor project has been under construction for about 3-4 years now and it has been a great journey to build to accommodate all those quirks learnt over many years of triking & trailoring..!

Soon its will be all done! Here is a qick peak, and if you want any ideas for yours, just ask!

Primary objectives:

1 No limits in off-road capability for touring Outback Australia.

2 Safe, secure and simple transporting of my Tanarg - one man operation.

3 Versatile, self accommodating and unique - 5/10 day camping without conveniences + family friendly.

We have taken several trips during the osmosis process & all has been good. Modifications, alterations..change of ideas have nutured the design elements of my trike trailor.

Here are few pics prior the final completion, painting and a good trip somewhere out there..!

Smooth flights

Chris

aaron roberts · July 11, 2011

Chris im in the process of building a 4x4 trike trailer at the moment to take up the birdsville track and beyond I would be interested in hearing of any good spots for camping with somewhere we can take off and land.

Air Creation · October 13, 2011

Hi Aaron..many years ago I flew the Birdsville Track from the Airborne Factory, to Thargominda, down the track to Birdsville and onto Wilpena Pound..a very wild experience in an Edge 582!!

As for camping & flying, its all pretty much remote outback, safety is priority, and you may require some permits to enter Native Title Lands.

We are very near ready to hit the road with our Tanarg Off-Road Trailor...