Ratrod bicycle trailer and soapbox

[BartRidesEternal]

Hi guys,

I know I have many builds in progress, but I can't keep the progress on this build from you.

Since I saw some awesome/beautiful ratrod soapbox ideas here on Ratrodbikes and ideas on pinterest, I had to do something with that.

My idea is to build a radio flyer / soapbox ratrod that you can hook up on your bicycle. Possibly with the front wheels off the ground, when hooked up. The pulling bar can be removed and used for pushing. And ideally the passenger/driver can steer too. Need a link-system for that.

Nice for playing with the kids and practicality for a day elsewhere or groceries in style.

Inspiration (not my pictures)

Parts I have so far:
Everything is second hand. I did order new bearings and will use new tires when necessary.

I have two front wheels.

Very wide! May use wheelbarrow tires in the end.

Getting an idea with that wheelbarrow tub.

Now looking for parts:
Steel chassis profiles.
Rusty or patina'd tub (wheel barrow or radio flyer).

Ideas/Notes:

Thanks for reading/watching!

 

[Brian macumber]

I've seen a few people pulling some wagon and wheel barrow ratrods at the swap meet very cool looking. Saw one that was lifted.

 

[Son of Kradus]

Way to go bart, will watch this with intrest

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I really like these two, really cool hotrod vibes:

That second one looks like a slammed T. However they are aimed in different directions, you need to choose, is it for hauling stuff, or will the little one be riding in it? You've got my brain in gear though, I'll be looking at wheelbarrows now...

 

[BartRidesEternal]

I really like these two, really cool hotrod vibes:View attachment 227083View attachment 227084
That second one looks like a slammed T. However they are aimed in different directions, you need to choose, is it for hauling stuff, or will the little one be riding in it? You've got my brain in gear though, I'll be looking at wheelbarrows now...

Thanks bikers!

Maybe I am pushing it, but I would like to haul stuff and take my daughters.

I found an rusty old wheelbarrow with a straight frame: normally with "Fort" wheelbarrows the frame bends to create a leg or support. But these matador wheelbarrows have a chassis that goes straight from the grips to the front. Perfect for a ratrod chassis! Curves included

Pictures of the barrow and wheels. Then my ideas in a paintshop (took me an hour! Could have separated the tub and chassis in that time).

Base paintshop picture.

And another.

I turned the tub? around on the chassis and shopped the wheels in there. Pretty neat! Looks like "Mad Max Buzzards":

Bit dangerous...



I think about red rims, classic ratrod.

What y'all think?

 

[Tallbikeman]

Hi guys,

I know I have many builds in progress, but I can't keep the progress on this build from you.

Since I saw some awesome/beautiful ratrod soapbox ideas here on Ratrodbikes and ideas on pinterest, I had to do something with that.

My idea is to build a radio flyer / soapbox ratrod that you can hook up on your bicycle. Possibly with the front wheels off the ground, when hooked up. The pulling bar can be removed and used for pushing. And ideally the passenger/driver can steer too. Need a link-system for that.

Nice for playing with the kids and practicality for a day elsewhere or groceries in style.

Inspiration (not my pictures)

After a lifetime of hauling dirt with wheelbarrows I see this. As they say once you see something you cannot unsee it. Wheelbarrow bins work so well as T rod style bodies. Excellent.

View attachment 226943
View attachment 226944
View attachment 226945
View attachment 226946


Parts I have so far:
Everything is second hand. I did order new bearings and will use new tires when necessary.

View attachment 226947
I have two front wheels.

View attachment 226948
Very wide! May use wheelbarrow tires in the end.

View attachment 226949
View attachment 226950
Getting an idea with that wheelbarrow tub.

Now looking for parts:
Steel chassis profiles.
Rusty or patina'd tub (wheel barrow or radio flyer).

Ideas/Notes:

View attachment 226952
View attachment 226951

Thanks for reading/watching!

 

[SwissGuy]

My pictures, but not my build. I saw this one a few years back in Stuttgart:

 

[horsefarmer]

I think they call them wheel barrow pans here. Never seen one with ribs stamped in the side.
Would be cool to cut them open for louvers!

 

[BartRidesEternal]

After a lifetime of hauling dirt with wheelbarrows I see this. As they say once you see something you cannot unsee it. Wheelbarrow bins work so well as T rod style bodies. Excellent.

I know what you mean! After a visit on the scrapyard my head is exploding with such ideas.

My pictures, but not my build. I saw this one a few years back in Stuttgart:

View attachment 227414View attachment 227415View attachment 227416View attachment 227417

Awesome!! That thing is a work of art. Thanks for sharing that one.

I think they call them wheel barrow pans here. Never seen one with ribs stamped in the side.
Would be cool to cut them open for louvers!

Certainly an great idea, they sell them in stainless steel most of the time here.

I feel a bit silly photoshopping my idea, since I had an 40 minute timeframe for cutting today....

Checkout the results, I am beyond stoked!

Git cuttin'

Junk

Chassis!

Mockup time!

Wheelbase 120 centimetres. Quite long, but acceptable.

Little bit shorter wheelbase.

Comparison: different rear wheel, or tire.

I like the wide wheel a bit more.

Sick!! Love it!

 

[SwissGuy]

Awesome! This will most certainly become a real headturner!

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Hi guys,

Did a little bit of measuring, planning and drawing again.
Did not have much time building since BO18. But feel I gotta keep working on my frame jig and this rusty tub.

Idea for a steering hinge that you can maintain and remove play. These Union hubs are about 3 to 5 bucks...

Measurements.

Not everything is perfectly scaled, but you get the idea.

Top left: Plate for rear shaft - chassic interface.
Top right: Plate for front beam to hinge.
Bottom: Spindle plate to assemble on the hinge. Drill holes for assembly (where the spoke holes are).

Next:

Plan the steering system and possibly a beam to be mounted on the bicycle. I am thinking about leaving/building it as a pulling/pushing wagon, not necessarily for a bicycle ride.

 

[BDC]

Way cool! Trailers are handy. I use mine for carting beer and pizzas - and trips to the hardware store.

 

[curtisfox]

Don't make them straight, you got to have camber and caster in the steering. Look it up even go-karts have it..........Curt

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Don't make them straight, you got to have camber and caster in the steering. Look it up even go-karts have it..........Curt

Thanks for that! Will take that in consideration.
I already took 'Ackerman steering' into account. Pictures of the spindle soon.

My daughters three wheeler does not have: camber, caster and ackerman. It rides but it is eating tires when steering:

Plate for lasercutter. No bends yet.

The spindle or steering part. Fits over the hub I posted earlier.

I contacted the company to get the plates cut. I will drill the assembly holes myself since they are a nuisance when bending.

They are 4mm construction steel (s355 or st52). Tough enough!

And I found another similar inspiration picture:

Wow!

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

this will be fun to follow.

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Thanks @ifitsfreeitsforme

Lasercut steel is here!
Monday bending at work and drilling holes for the axle.

Then some planning, finishing and we can start the first welding session!

The two in the middle are for the rear axle.

Fits great!

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Yes!

All temporary fixed. Have to get the right screws soon.



Rear shaft:
Reason why I did not make a hole for the rear shaft is: the chassis beams have an slight angle outwards front to back. This gives me some ease of welding/positioning.

Right side is rear.

 

[Captain Awesome]

Yes!

View attachment 250604
View attachment 250605
View attachment 250607

View attachment 250606

All temporary fixed. Have to get the right screws soon.



Rear shaft:
Reason why I did not make a hole for the rear shaft is: the chassis beams have an slight angle outwards front to back. This gives me some ease of welding/positioning.

View attachment 250608
Right side is rear.

Genius

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Nearly finished the rear shaft.
Only thing left is a solution to fix the wheels. I'm thinking about welding a threaded nut in the shaft.

Welding this thing comes close!

Those tires are FAT!

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Did a little cutting on the front.

I made a mistake by making a angled and a straight cut. You can guess that the angled is longer so the top will not align.

I managed to have another go on a piece I had lying around.

And made a 'Ed Roth' inspired drawing, dreaming about this ratrod soapbox...

Isn't that cute, but its wrong!

Much better now!

Having fun!