mechanarchy artificing unique bicycle tow hitches

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Mechanarchy, Artificing Unique Bicycle Tow Hitches

This was the original prototype rotating tow hitch attatched to the very first trailer that Mechanarchy built.

The frame for this trailer was made from an old excercise bike as was most of the tow hitch. These exercise bikes seem to have been made in significant numbers and are readily available for around AUS$2.00 at Garage Sales.

Apart from the frame, they also have a Plastic Bush that the pedals locate through. This bush and the steel retainer that bolts around it, make up the rotating portion of the Mechanarchy tow hitch. The retainer does need to be modified slightly for the hitch application.

A 1/2" High Tensile Bolt goes through the plastic bush and locates through one half of a Chain Swivel Shackle. The nuts on either side of the Shackle are then tightened. The Shackle locates over a pin that is on the bicycle tow bar and an 'R Clip' is inserted through the pin to keep the shackle in place. Because the pin is smaller than the Shackle, both lateral and side to side movement are possible. The Plastic Bush takes care of the Rotational movement.

These hitches have been used on the Watt-Bot Electric Assist Trailers in conjunction with the Yuba Mundo Cargo Bikes and have completed some 6,000 Km's.

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This is the Mechanarchy side Tow Hitch and Trailer Tow Bar made from cut down section of a bicycle frame and a large Plumbers Spring.

The Trailer Hitch fits up onto a pin and is held in place by a 'D' Clip. This allows the hitch to rotate on the pin, preventing much of the 'lurching' one gets when using the spring as the only means of rotation / movement.

The Hitch also contains a 'Safety Chain', to ensure that the trailer stays attached to the bike in the unlikely event of a Hitch Failure.

Many people ask me, how it is that I am able to tow another bike behind the Yuba Mundo. This is really very simple to achieve. The Yuba's rear frame has to undergo some modification in order to attatch a Tow Hitch Point. This is a simple process.

Then, I make up several different Front Hub configurations (for different bikes). The Hubs are attached to a 'U' Bracket with several pop rivets through the spoke holes, which can be seen in the picture.

The Brackets with Hubs are then bolted onto the Yuba Tow Hitch and the Front Forks of the Bike I wish to tow are fitted on the Hub and the Nuts tightened.

And, away we go..........