Bike Carrier Modification
June 2011
My sister asked me to modify her trailer hitch
mounted bicycle carrier so that it can also serve as a
trailer hitch for her boat trailer. The boat is very light or
else this would not be possible.
Even with the trailer being very light, I'm a little nervous about the whole thing, but we'll see what happens.
June 21, 2011
Yesterday I used a hand grinder and cut off blade to cut the metal plates.
You can see the new grinder. Pretty handy tool.
All cut and ready to go.
Today I welded the plates onto the bike rack. I have to cut and weld the plates to make up the receiver for the trailer hitch next.
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This stock goes in to reinforce the hitch.
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Installed.
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Cut to length, ready to weld. |
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June 26, 2011
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Here's the carrier welding done with the draw bar installed.
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Here's the carrier with a 1/4" hole drilled through the side plate and you can see the drill guide in the drawbar inside the carrier. The drill guide has a 1/8" hole and centers the drill on the drawbar pin hole. Then I drill a hole on the opposite side of the carrier that is exactly lined up with the drawbar pin hole. Then I remove the drill guide and use the hole in the drawbar to drill a 1/2" hole through this side of the carrier. All of this to get the pin holes lined up properly. |
Costs: The steel was free - dad gave me that. About
12 welding rods - $?? A new hand held 4 1/2" grinder
and cutting wheels - $30.
Chain links and grade 8 bolts and lock nuts - $5
July 3, 2011 Here's the final thing in action. I guess its going to work out fine. The owner is happy with it. I told her to bring it back after this weekend use and I'll weld one more plate on it for lateral strength and paint it.
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