Towing a Caravan.

[rmware]

Hypothetically speaking if I wanted to tow a lightweight 200kg caravan, riding alone would I have to beef up my tandem? I've swapped the front front chainring out with a 22t, which gives me a low of 10 inches. The nose weight of the caravan is 30kg, so am I right in thinking that provided I use the gears and don't put to much torque on the drivetrain I will get away with using the standard tandem components.

[random37]

Oh no, a hill!

I imagine it would be OK. What are you trying to do?

[hubgearfreak]

i'm in lincoln, can i come and video your maiden voyage?

[cycleruk]

I'm sure you could tow it but I would be worried about stopping.
There may be a nose weight of 35kgs but that is probably in a static mode.
When moving, and if there is any see-sawing, then I could envisage the back wheel being lifted off the ground.

[hamish]

Well Rosie Swale runs with one!!

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/images/rosie_swale_pope.jpg

http://www.rosiearoundtheworld.co.uk/1aRosie%20setting%20off%20to%20run%20from%20her%20home%20Tenby%20to%20London%200001.jpg

[reohn2]

Its 3rd of April not the first!

[rmware]

Oh no, a hill!
I imagine it would be OK. What are you trying to do?

Does Lands End to John O'Groats have many hills? I'm thinking of doing it in July provided I get a caravan company to sponsor me, it's looking positive at the moment though.

Well Rosie Swale runs with one!!
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/images/rosie_swale_pope.jpg
http://www.rosiearoundtheworld.co.uk/1aRosie%20setting%20off%20to%20run%20from%20her%20home%20Tenby%20to%20London%200001.jpg

Speaking of Rosie, I got her book for christmas and it's a great read, I highly recommend it. But I'm looking at something bigger than Rosie's, one designed for a car.

I'm sure you could tow it but I would be worried about stopping.
There may be a nose weight of 35kgs but that is probably in a static mode.
When moving, and if there is any see-sawing, then I could envisage the back wheel being lifted off the ground.

Maybe the tandem isn't the way to go, I am going to upgrade whatever I use, make sure I have a minimum of 4 hydraulic brakes, get some decent wheels etc... Just wanted to test the theory that normal components could do the job. I guess I'll just have to load the old trailer up and do some test runs.

i'm in lincoln, can i come and video your maiden voyage?

Sure, but you'll have to sign a liability waiver first. I'm over in Louth now, I've got the wolds as my playground, who said Lincolnshire was flat.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAfZ1N56qjY
Fortunetly I've got more engine power than a Renault 5.


We're still looking for a Support Driver for our World Record setting Lands End to John by quadricycle if anyone interested. We no longer require the driver to be a reserve rider as well, unless you want to of course.
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=32126&p=270747&hilit=quattrocycle#p270747

[mw3230]

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[rmware]

Happy Easter!

Does anyone use the Sram Dual Drive system, if so is it any good and do you think it would be up to the job?

It would give me a low of 11 inches on an 81 speed mountain bike. A Sram Dual Drive mtb with hydraulic brakes etc, will cost about £700 to build, which is a considerable amount more than a new £5 chainring for my tandem which will provide the same low gear. But if the DualDrive will provide years of reliable towing, then I'd be prepared to invest.

[Greybeard]

I once tow-started a Vauxhall Victor estate using my Triumph 350 motobike - I'd be guessing that the sensation would be much the same The car still had brakes but nevertheless I had to stop off at the dry-cleaners on the way home

200kg - that's the same as two very large people. You'll have a fine pair of legs by the time you reach your destination

Steve

[robbo]

Oh no, a hill!
I imagine it would be OK. What are you trying to do?

Does Lands End to John O'Groats have many hills? I'm thinking of doing it in July provided I get a caravan company to sponsor me, it's looking positive at the moment though.

Google "Shap"

[glueman]

Towing a caravan by bicycle is not without precedent. I've seen photographs of a tandem (possibly with child sidecar) hauling a lightweight caravan, pre-war or possibly early 50s. Asking me to find the image is another matter!

[Mick F]

Does Lands End to John O'Groats have many hills? I

Google Berridale
Google Cornwall!
The only flat route is via the sea.

It is possible to avoid much of the hills by going east of the Pennines and being careful about Scotland, but Devon and Cornwall can be the toughest areas.

The flattest routes would be main roads, A30 all the way to Exeter then Old A38 and A38 to Gloucester. Come off the main roads, and you'll be in trouble.

[hubgearfreak]

Asking me to find the image is another matter!

here you go

[johnmac]

Oh no, a hill!

Oh no, a headwind!