Converting a child trailer.

[Sara_H]

Anyone ever done this.

I hace an old single child trailer. I've already removed the seats and have used it as a cargo trailer - mostly used for transporting my sons speedway bike to the track.

Anyway, my lovely old labrador has developed arthritis. Occasionally I have to take him to my Mum's house a couple of miles away with the bike (she looks after him when me and OH are both working). At the minute he trots along side using a dog/bike lead device. But I think that's going to be too much for him soon.

I need to put a solid bade in my trailer for him to sit on. At the minute it's just fabric. I was thinking I need some ply, but what thickness?

If anyone has done something similar I'd be interested to know what materials the used and how they secured it.

 

[summerdays]

I know my friend did so she could take her dog to her allotment which is about 3 or so miles away from her house, I can see if I can find out what they did for him.

 

[stuee147]

I've not converted one to a dog trailer but I have had a dog trailer I converted to a cargo trailer lol.
The floor I would use something like exterior grade plywood also know as WBX ply wood you would only need about 3mm thick and just cut it do it lays nice on the frame of the trailer .
If you get a old yoga mat and use carpet adhesive to glue it to the ply then cover with a strong canvas again glued on with the carpet adhesive it will make a softer and easily cleaned floor.

 

[raleighnut]

I was just in the process of doing a similar thing to my trailer and I'd use 3/8"-10mm ply for the base but you will need sides as well for the dog.
If its square tubing you could use self-tapping screws to secure it if its round tubing then I'd use copper pipe retainers (mine has both types so I will use a mix)

 

[ufkacbln]

The best (and most expensive) is marine ply, as it is weather proof


Cary Freedom use a 12 mm thick base for the Y trailer which has a 70 - 90 KG load limit

Fixing simply a choice.

I have used "pipe clips" to allow quick removal. but you can drill through or use "P" clips to afix to the chassis

After that it is simply a case of safely fitting the dog "cage"

 

[stuee147]

@raleighnut do you not find 10mm a bit heavey as long as there is a couple of cross braces on the frame there is no large span where the timber can flex.

If you look at a caravan all the seats and stuff are just a simple timber frame covered with 3mm ply

 

[Sara_H]

Thank you all, very helpful replies. Especially love the tip about sticking a yoga mat to the base @stuee147 .

Still not entirely convinced that I'll be able to haul him (he weighs 27kg), but I'll give it a go!!

 

[raleighnut]

@raleighnut do you not find 10mm a bit heavey as long as there is a couple of cross braces on the frame there is no large span where the timber can flex.

If you look at a caravan all the seats and stuff are just a simple timber frame covered with 3mm ply

I plan on 10 for the base so that I can get a fixing (screw) in to attach the sides (3mm) to it, that's reducing from the 12mm which is standard. I plan on covering the base with a section cut from a camping roll mat (£5) to stop things bouncing around in it and it may have a solar panel and battery at some point, things are on hold til I can walk again.

 

[coffeejo]

My dog trailer has a fabric base, no idea what though. Made a bed out of an old pillow stuffed inside one of my old waterproof jacket which protects the bottom, gives her something comfier to be on and absorbs some of the bumps.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I think fabric would be much lighter than marine plywood. If you use marine plywood, be sure and seal edges with a coat or two of urethane. I think ripstop nylon may do the trick for a fabric floor. Or maybe some Cordura. It may be easier than ripstop to work with.