Idaho tote trailer - neat idea

bevans6 · November 18, 2011, 11:38:04 AM

For those with motorcycles and golf carts, this looks like a neat idea. Apparently not considered a trailer, it's a "vehicle extension". Wheels swivel so you can back up normally. Kinda cute, I thought

http://www.idahotote.com/

Brian

Scott & Heather · November 18, 2011, 12:32:46 PM

I wonder if all 50 states would consider that an extension. If so, we could really use one of those for some specific reasons I won't go into here...but I would love to have something like that...

jbnewman · November 18, 2011, 12:40:17 PM

It seems to me that if it's not a trailer, but rather part of the vehicle, then all applicable vehicle safety and inspection rules & regulations would apply to it. Which might be worse, at least in some states.

-jbn

Scott & Heather · November 18, 2011, 12:49:02 PM

Quote from: jbnewman on November 18, 2011, 12:40:17 PM
It seems to me that if it's not a trailer, but rather part of the vehicle, then all applicable vehicle safety and inspection rules & regulations would apply to it. Which might be worse, at least in some states.

-jbn

Please explain...as in lighting? Or strength/crash standards?

gumpy · November 18, 2011, 05:20:06 PM

That's kind of cool. I wonder how they do the steering part.

That might be a good option for me to put the bikes on and still be able to pull the Ranger or Explorer.

I may have to play with the steering idea some and see what I can figure out. I've thought about this concept before when we
briefly considered extending the hitch on my father-in-law's trailer to allow him to carry his Kubota. We did not get very far on that idea, though.

I wonder if it really requires 2 attachment points. Seems to me that one could build it with a 2" tongue that slips into the receiver hitch and simply extends
the receiver hitch directly to the rear of the attachment to allow connecting the toad.

Adding 6 feet to the rear of the bus would really produce some rear end swing.

Jeremy · November 18, 2011, 06:43:21 PM

Regarding the steering and attachment - if you Google 'single wheel trailer' you will see lots of variations of this same basic concept. A single castoring wheel in the middle provides very simple steering, and you will see single wheel trailers with attachment points which are either 'side by side' (in which case the trailer isn't really a trailer because it rigidly swings with the vehicle), or some cases (motorcycles mainly) where the attachment points are 'one above the other', so the single-wheel trailer can pivot from side to side but cannot fall over (but also can't accommodate bumps or be easily reversed).

Personally I think the whole concept is marginal at best and would choose a proper trailer every time

Jeremy

gumpy · November 19, 2011, 06:04:51 AM

I've seen the single wheel variations. The one in the link is not a single wheel. It has an axle with king pins and a tie rod that countersteers as you turn, much like a steerable
tag axle.

I've been thinking about this since I saw this post, and I think I may very well try to build one this coming spring. The steering mechanism depends on a reversible caster,
which seems simple enough.

It may give me the chance to re-engineer the bus hitch and finally build my rear bumper. But I think this may very well be the solution to the problem of carrying 2
motorcycles and pulling the toad. I'm seeing a low, enclosed platform with a ramp on one side for loading the bikes. Kind of like an enclosed trailer turned sideways
and attached directly to the bumper.

Yessir, this could work!!

robertglines1 · November 19, 2011, 06:07:00 AM

? dips---- like gas station drives

gumpy · November 19, 2011, 07:15:09 AM

Quote from: robertglines1 on November 19, 2011, 06:07:00 AM
? dips---- like gas station drives

It will swivel up and down at the connection to the bus hitch. It can't be a fixed platform attachment. It has to be able to flex.
Gravity keeps the wheels on the ground.

Jeremy · November 19, 2011, 07:23:43 AM

Quote from: gumpy on November 19, 2011, 06:04:51 AM
I've seen the single wheel variations. The one in the link is not a single wheel.

I know that. That's why I described them as variations of the same concept, with simpler steering and different methods of attachment - the things you were wanting help with

Jeremy

Ralph7 · November 19, 2011, 09:40:43 AM

Years ago single wheel(dolly) wheel units attached to two points of rear of car and backing it was no problem, also it pivots up an down, and some had a spring setup on them.
I think a front axle from an old Ford Pickup, actually My 8-71 is sitting on it now, would be nice. Juat cut the frame behind cab and toss the cab add flat deck and two sturdy hinges on bus and go,but backing may have challanges if caster is to wild, also may need a steering dampner.

gumpy · November 19, 2011, 11:34:59 AM

Quote from: Jeremy on November 19, 2011, 07:23:43 AM
Quote from: gumpy on November 19, 2011, 06:04:51 AM
I've seen the single wheel variations. The one in the link is not a single wheel.

I know that. That's why I described them as variations of the same concept, with simpler steering and different methods of attachment - the things you were wanting help with

Jeremy

I thought about using two single wheels, castered rearward, like the single axle trailers, but I think the wheels would be more inclined to wobble and eventually cup or wear the tires.
I really liked the idea of incorporating a single spring wrapped strut to mount each wheel so they could independently swivel around as you turn or back up.

It would certainly simplify the steering thing, if the wheels could just swivel around 180 degrees when you back up. However, adding brakes to the wheels would
be nearly impossible. I think I'd like to be able to incorporate brakes on it, too, since I'll be adding potentially 3000 lbs to the bus.

I don't think I'd be comfortable with a single wheel under both bikes.

Quote
I think a front axle from an old Ford Pickup, actually [...] would be nice. Juat cut the frame behind cab and toss the cab add flat deck and two sturdy hinges on bus and go ...

I have considered this idea, too. If I could find an old truck with a solid front axle, it might solve some problems, as it would include spindles, hubs, king pins, brakes and tie rods.
Then I'd just need to make it caster reverse-able. I'd probably scrap the frame, and just build a new one that incorporates the hinges and rearward receiver hitch and mount it on the axle springs. Add a couple shocks and you're good to go! Not sure how I'd connect the hydraulic brakes to the bus air system, but maybe a pneumatic actuator or
some sort of variable electric to hydraulic actuator driven off a brake control. Hmmm....

I may have to visit a junk yard soon!

pipopak · November 19, 2011, 05:47:19 PM

For the price you can get a couple of REALLY GOOD trailers, IMHO.

gumpy · November 20, 2011, 05:13:15 AM

Quote from: pipopak on November 19, 2011, 05:47:19 PM
For the price you can get a couple of REALLY GOOD trailers, IMHO.

I agree. I'm not going to buy one.

belfert · November 20, 2011, 07:48:30 AM

Interesting concept, but I could see a whole load of legal issues. It is not clear what problem this rig is designed to solve. the price is out of this world too.

If it is not a trailer and is considered part of the vehicle then most of our buses (unless 35 foot) would be over length. If it is considered a trailer legally then using the hitch on this rig wouldn't be legal in a number of states. Minnesota allows a second trailer only if the first is a fifth wheel.