Let's see your trailer hitches!

[hellphish]

I've been wanting to make a trailer for my segway ever since I've owned it, and I think I will finally get around to purchasing this (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38137)
and putting a seat on it to carry a passenger.

I'm wondering how those of you with trailers have hitched them to your glide. I have a nylon handle attached to my back 2 platform screws (thanks CMonkey!) but anything I attach to this will be free to slide left and right along the length of the handle.

Karl, I remember seeing pictures of you hauling a dresser with a trailer, but I couldn't see the hitch very well.

[KSagal]

First and simplist cart is just a golf caddy, http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11814/normal_Segcart2.JPG

and all I had to do to attach it was bungie it to the handle of my E bag.

.http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11814/normal_Segcarthitch1.JPG
.



According to your post, you are looking more for something like this:

http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11814/normal_segtrailer1.JPG

My hitch is made from the ball that is used in many rear hatches for SUVs and MiniVans. The toungue is the gas strut itself, and that acts as a shock absorber for quick stops with heavy loads.



http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11814/normal_Segcarthitch5.JPG
.
http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11814/normal_Segcarthitch3.JPG

and the end use could be like this... (Check my regular gallery for more images. KarlSagal gallery has more trailers than the trailer gallery)

http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11814/normal_Seg_SUV.JPG


I have the same hitch on my i2.

Good luck. I should warn anyone that attempts to put a trailer on a seg, it changes everything... Personally, I like a 4 wheel trailer, so there is litterally no toungue weight. All the weight of the payload is on the wheels of the trailer, and none on my seg...

If you look carefully, you will see that the seg is in e-stand in all these pictures, the trailer does not affect the balance. I don't think you will be able to say the same for 2 wheel trailers. With those, you need to balance the load carefully, so the toungue is not pushing down on the back of your seg, making it want to stop, or lifting up on the back of the seg making it want to go...

[hellphish]

Your trailer looks like its the same one i'm interested in.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/38100-38199/38137.gif

Do you have links to the karlgallery? I really need to see how to turn that handle into a hitch.

[KSagal]

Your trailer looks like its the same one i'm interested in.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/38100-38199/38137.gif

Do you have links to the karlgallery? I really need to see how to turn that handle into a hitch.



yes it is, I even bought it at Harbor freight!


Use the photo link at the top of this page. You can go straight to photo's and then look for my name, or find my profile by clicking on it, then take the link to my gallery. All the photo's I just posted are already in the gallery here on the chat...

[Desert_Seg]

You guys need a trailer like this!

http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=85&pos=0

http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=85&pos=1

Still need to finish the sides (already done, just not mounted) and pad the seat.

We've successfully pulled 300Kg with this, at top speed.. It was built in blocks so we can make it a Shuttle, a cargo platform, or pretty much anything we want.

Mounting and hitch system are solid as can be, not movement unless we want it.

Steven

[hellphish]

Really cool stuff Steven. I'd like to keep this thread focused on the actual hitches instead of turning it into a general trailer thread. Do you have pictures or a better description of the hitch system you used?

[Desert_Seg]

Really cool stuff Steven. I'd like to keep this thread focused on the actual hitches instead of turning it into a general trailer thread. Do you have pictures or a better description of the hitch system you used?

Yikes, you're fast!

I'm getting ready to upload them now

Steven

[hellphish]

Awesome, can't wait!

[Desert_Seg]

Hitch....in detail

1. This will work on both Gen1 and Gen2
2. Very easy On / Off and minimal intrusion into foot space
3. Easy mounting (and dismounting)

http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=91&pos=0
http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=91&pos=1
http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=91&pos=2

Enjoy,

Steven

[hellphish]

These look great steven. Thanks, you two, for the pics and ideas. I'll probably pick up that wagon from HF after work today and mess around with it.

[KSagal]

I have carried similar weights... I had over 200 pounds on the trailer of a couple mile glide...

My question is, "If both guys get up at the same time, and step forward on that trailer, how can you compensate on the seg?

With the 4 wheel trailer, there is no toungue weight. If you are using your trailer as a flat bed, do you specifically weigh and balance the load?

[Desert_Seg]

...My question is, "If both guys get up at the same time, and step forward on that trailer, how can you compensate on the seg?

It really isn't a problem. Although the tongue weight appears to be all at the rear, with our hitch system much of the weight is transferred to the hubs. We tried it with both guys getting up at the same time and it was ok. We then had them move to the front and it was a slight issue but nothing major (at least not for me).

With the 4 wheel trailer, there is no toungue weight. If you are using your trailer as a flat bed, do you specifically weigh and balance the load?

No, when we loaded it up we didn't try to balance the load in anyway and had problems on with side to side sway when we overloaded on side.

BTW, we can easily add a third wheel to the trailer (designed in the plans) that sits about 2 inches off the ground, only in play when there is more weight in front.

Steven

[KSagal]

If both guys sat on the seat back, with their feet on the bench, their weight may be far enough behind the axle of the trailer to give a significant negative weight on the the trailer toungue, which would lift the back of the seg, making it go forward at a high rate of speed. How would you stop in that case?

[Desert_Seg]

If both guys sat on the seat back, with their feet on the bench, their weight may be far enough behind the axle of the trailer to give a significant negative weight on the the trailer toungue, which would lift the back of the seg, making it go forward at a high rate of speed. How would you stop in that case?

Oh ye of little faith.

Did that with weights and the wheels are far enough back that we don't have an issue.

Now, if the apes decide to hang off the back, that might be another issue.

Steven

[hellphish]

If both guys sat on the seat back, with their feet on the bench, their weight may be far enough behind the axle of the trailer to give a significant negative weight on the the trailer toungue, which would lift the back of the seg, making it go forward at a high rate of speed. How would you stop in that case?

Segways have brakes, right?