Manky Monkey Motors

I am looking at having a towbar fitted to my trike. as its a swing arm i don't want it just bolted to the axle swing arm. as the trailer tent i am thinking of buying is 270kg. i was thinking of having the towbar made to pickup on the main engine mounts of the frame. and run under the trike then turn up just behind the swing arm and come out above the axle. if you look at the rough drawing i have done you can see the two at the front are the engine mounts the third one is the rear foot peg and the last one is just a stabilizer to hold the back up and brace it.


(http://i50.tinypic.com/35b89qt.jpg)

looks like it will be more than strong enough terry, remember to allow for suspension travell so the swing arm doesnt hit when the shocks are fully extended ;)

Thanks. i thought of that the bar might have to be a bit higher and longer. then drop down at the back of the axle

You are better off bring it out Underneath the axle cos any swingarm /suspension movement is gonna go upwards rather than down.the only time axle will come down is if you jack up backend of trike so wheels are off ground but even to do that you would have to jack the frame up instead of the axle.

HTH..

JJ

I have looked at that way as well. and because the towbar is bolted to the frame. with the over hang for it to clear the underside of the axle as well.
so when you sit on the trike and the back end goes down. theres not a lot of ground clearance at the rear part of the bar. i may have to hard tail it :(

What sort of distance is it from the last solid anchor at the back to where the ball will be Terry, looks a long way in the drawing but may not be. That length needs to be added to the A frame on the trailer tent, you happy with 270 kilos at that distance? Playing devils advocate here, I don't know but wouldn't you be better coming down from the back of the frame at the top, you can still brace back but it would leave less length unsupported?

I know what I mean but not sure from dawing if it is relevant or if I have described what's in my mind :)

its about 30Cm's Nabs. i think your right about a brace there. i have had a good look today a the goldwing i got on the bench and looking at another id ear as this one seems awkward

That's a lot shorter than I was thinking then Terry, do you know any solo bikes with towards to see how they do it?

Well solo bike owners I mean

Hi Terry
  Dont mind me saying but that looks/sounds way too complicated. All the towbar mounts Ive done on trikes have been mounted via axle or axle mounts and have never been a problem.
 8)

Yes i know Pete. i have been looking at the frame Ive got on the bench. i was just thinking of spreading the load. as it a swing arm trying not to put to much load on the pivot bolts. i will have to have rethink

You wouldn't want the tow bar on the swing arm would you? On cars they use chassis/body, my sidecar has it mounted off the frame, can't think of anything mounted off anything like a swing arm, sideways forces would kill it wouldn't it?

that's why i am looking at taking it from the frame. not the axle. it not easy as i have mounted a bigger battery under the seat just above the swing arm. i will keep looking at the frame and get there one day :D

Well from your pic it does look like a proper frame at the rear rather than a wobbly bolt on subframe. If you look at the size and weight of my sidecar, then look at how it attaches to the bike (no conventional frame) you will get an idea of how strong the subframe in your drawing will be. Think mine picks up on either 2 or 3 engine bolts on each side so similar to what you put originally. Should be plenty strong enough, I just thought it looked like it was going to be stuck out a long way without support but at 30cm I think it's shorter than my tow bar.

Update on the tow bar
Axle set up on test bench for the making of a template
(http://i45.tinypic.com/2nuuclz.jpg)
Tow bar front frame support
(http://i49.tinypic.com/121dhkk.jpg)
Tow bar middle frame support and brace for upright
(http://i47.tinypic.com/2e1b1np.jpg)
Rear brace angle bracket will be welded to the frame. then the towbar will be bolted to it. this will stop any side movement
(http://i49.tinypic.com/2ldk1hw.jpg)
Rear tow bar over hang supports the u bar will be braced to stop side movement and the other one are to support the back of the bar for nose weight
(http://i48.tinypic.com/2n6ayxf.jpg)
I know this might seem a bit over the top but i am not going to be towing a light weight trailer.

over the top, that wood aint gonna be know where near stong enough :D :D :D

I wooden tow with that ;D

And the acro will dig in on corners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wood it be ok if i put some wood treatment on it. and some shinny bits on the end.  :D

it seemed ok for this one
(http://i45.tinypic.com/2mqosjc.jpg)

I reckon you old start a splinter group with that, should be fine :)

So we can all go splinting up the 1/4 mile :D ;D

What's the weight of your trike?

Just found this

Trailer has no brakes (Unbraked Trailer)
 ■Maximum 750kg gross trailer weight or half the towing vehicle's kerb weight - whichever is less.

its about 370kg. i read some where that the Max towing weight for a trike under 450kg is 2/3rds the weight of the vehice. i will have to find it. but i think it was save on my pc that went t*** up

Any idea what they class as the towing vehicle for an outfit, bike weight or outfit weight?

Sorry for hijack Terry

Thats ok
Nabs your is still classed as a bike so i would have thought thats your towing weight.
Using your motorcycle to tow a trailer
You can use your motorcycle to tow a trailer if the:

•motorcycle has an engine size over 125cc and is clearly and permanently marked with its kerbside weight
•trailer is no more than 1 metre wide and clearly and permanently marked with the unladen weight
When the trailer is loaded it must weigh no more than 150 kilograms or two-thirds of the kerbside weight of the motorcycle - whichever is lighter.

When hitched, the distance between the end of the trailer and the rear axle of the motorcycle must be no more than 2.5 metres.