Re: [omi] bike trailer scheming

OK looks like a few folks still on here. Scheming on a family bike trailers, starting with 1) flatbed, then moving on to 2) pedicab and 3) enclosed / RV variants. 2'x4' and 4'x8' bed sizes. As it stands, the MacArthur shop has undergone a purge and does not want a bunch of people showing up randomly to work on things, so for now we still need to find a spot to build. Matt has tentatively offered to help build a prototype in his basement (!!!) pending resolution of tool and material details. I circulated one design using 1-1/2" x 1/8" angle steel which would allow us to machine dropouts right into the frame, but is way too heavy all said. The next oscillation was for prototype was based on 1" x 0.20" square tube available quick and dirty at home depot - super lightweight but not nearly as strong, possibly not strong enough for proper cargo moving without a plywood deck. We could play up the lightweight thing, with a deck of 1" styrofoam sandwiched between sheets of 1/4" plywood, framed at the perimeter with 1" square tube. The dropouts would have to be either plate or angle welded or brazed to the tube sections. I've been paying attention to alot of bike trailers that have been brought around and this seems like the most sensible detail despite requiring a bit of extra welding. for pedicab and enclosed applications, it might make sense to use a plate that extends above and below the frame tube, to act as dropout below and above a tab for bolting on seats or wall fra ming. thoughts? cheers, hol _______________________________________________ omi mailing list omi(a)lists.sudoroom.org http://lists.sudoroom.org/listinfo/omi