Transporting a TI with an ebike

Does anyone have any experience setting up or modifying a bicycle trailer or something like a Seitech dolly to transport a Tandem Island using an ebike? I need to transport less than 5 miles to a marina launch.

Don't know if you searched the forums but here is a good topic to start with:

https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=54437

Peter

Thanks, Peter, Yes, I have read that thread. I have been thinking about this since I have had AI's and now a TI for a while. Since ebikes have become more popular I am hoping someone may have some more suggestions. Looking at the 2015 thread again has made me consider again modifying Hobie's big TI cradle dolly to attach to an ebike.

I have put together a swivel wheel that bolts into the otherwise unused mirage cassette plug. I have used this with a two wheel scupper plug cart or a strap on two wheel cart to transport both the AI and the TI less than 1/2 mile to a launch. That works very well. I've never had a problem with that setup. It's pretty tempting to simply use them with a "dumb stick" or a Burley axle hitch for a bike, BUT I would not want to stress the mirage drive space or the scupper holes for a 4-5 mile trip to a different launch.

Have not yet figured out how to upload a photo, but here is a description: I put two six+ inch bolts through the cassette plug, A swivel dolly wheel is bolted to a piece of wood- large enough to cover the area of the cassette plug hole on the underside of the kayak. Pop the cassette plug into the kayak, and from the underside connect the bolts from the cassette plug through two holes drilled into the wood, From the underside, tighten the assembly with star knobs with nuts inside.
i will work on posting a photo ASAP.

Patricia

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Harbor 1

I have pulled my loaded Oasis on scupper cart by bicycle from campsite to ramp (about a mile) and would not want to go any further or do it often. I also have considered pulling with an eBike.

But for regular transport of 5 miles I would want something where the TI is carried and not a load bearing component in the transport system. That means not using the Mirage Drive mechanisms, the scuppers, or the bow handle eye. The bicycle trailers out there are mostly too narrow, too short, or have too low a load capacity, as I'm sure you found.

Don't know if you are a DIY person (you did mount a caster in a mirage cassette!) but these guys have a clever design that could serve as a starting point. Though, as they note, PVC probably wasn't the best choice for the spine.

http://glench.com/make/kayak-trailer/

If I were building a bicycle trailer I'd use the 16" Skyway Tuffwheel (https://www.bikesatwork.com/store/product/skyway-tuffwheel-16) rather than spoked wheels. They also have trailer axles but the widest at 32" was too narrow for my Oasis let alone a TI.

Peter

Peter, thanks for the reference for the 16" tires. I agree about the need to NOT stress the Hobie components with any towing setup.

I am originally from MA, so greatly appreciate the young men who came up with a DIY cart to get their kayaks into the Charles River- but hanging a Hobie from that seatpost set up would be scary.

I am at this point leaning toward the modification of a Seitech, Dynamic Dolly, Hobie TI Dolly, or one of the lighter trailers- Malone, Bulldog or Yakima- as you point out, something that actually holds the weight of the Hobie TI. I am planning to be at an ebike store tomorrow to gather as much info as possible. I've already started an email conversation with the owner, who suggested a Rambo bike trailer (we both think too light) or alternatively, a Surly Cargo bike trailer. The latter looks more suitable, but may not be wide enough for the TI- might work for the Oasis.

I found in an internet search that a Dana Point, CA ebike company, Doheny Electric Bike, is involved in a partnership with Hobie to create a Hobie branded ebike and bike trailer. I've been in touch with the shop and they asked if I'd send photos and specs. I think this project is just in the development stage- I have no idea yet what the products will be.

Patricia

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Harbor 1

One other trailer to consider as a starting point would be the steel-framed Gorilla utility carts like this one:
https://gorillamade.com/product/2140gcg-nf/

I like their carts because they have 4 wheels on two axles which eliminates any tongue weight and the front axle turns. The side panels are removable (gives a nice low flat platform) and even with them on it only weighs 49 lbs. Oh, and it has airless tires (no flats) tho they also sell it with regular tires.

They also sell parts like axles and wheels at a decent price for anyone wanting to fabricate a trailer.

Peter

I realize this answer may be a little late, but Dynamic Dollies (basically Seitech's successor) does make a bike adapter: https://dynamicdollies.com/collections/ ... -std-dolly

You can give them a call and they can let you know if it will work with your Seitech dolly or if you'll have to make modifications.

Best of luck!

I don't have any experience towing with an e-bike, but I do have a lot of experience with E-bikes. I own a Specialized Turbo Levo, Which is one of the best and most powerful e-bikes currently in existence. I don't think it has enough torque To pull the weight of an AI on a typical trailer, But I would encourage you to keep trying because E-bikes are awesome and will soon find many more applications

Thanks for your thoughts on e-bikes. Somebody is going to market one to tow the heavier Hobies AI's and TI's!

I did purchase a Rambo bike trailer, and added a steel rod running inside some of the length. It will suffice, I think, to bring the TI's akas, amas, and sail by regular bicycle down to the Creek launch 1/2 mile from home. But no way would I try to put the TI on it!

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Harbor 1

I recently built a trailer for my Tandem that I regularly trailer behind my gravel bike for a kilometer or so to the local boat ramp, if you're interested I can share more details.

It's just a welded aluminium frame and a trailer kit from Wike
Took 4x 18ft 1x1" aluminium extrusions, a couple of stainless bolts and the kit plus some pool noodles but I've been thinking about replacing them with plastic pipes to make it easier to haul it out of the water.

I can easily carry the trailer, probably weighs between 15-20kg / 35-40lbs, for an ebike you might want to beef it up a little bit, more bracing and a better trailer attachment system.

Brilliant! What Wike product(s) did you start with- looks like maybe their Cargo DIY ? I have no experience welding, so there would be a learning curve for me- but this looks like it would work, and like you, probably with a regular bike as I am on flat, paved terrain. I am printing your photos for design.

Is the Wike attachment point the bike axle? How does that work out? I have read that people like PVC pipes for sliding the TI on and off trailers, some have flattened the back ends of the pipes

Thank you for posting!

Patricia

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Harbor 1

It's not too bad, as a prototype I'm pretty happy with it.

A couple of things I would change if building again:

1. I would have the tow bar extend from the top of the trailer frame not the bottom, it would improve ground clearance on the back
2. I would probably use 6061 instead of 6063 aluminium for a bit more stiffness
3. I might use fully square tubing instead of rounded corners, it's cheaper, stiffer and I really don't think it would scratch anything up
4. I'd consider buying two kits and having 4 wheels placing them right next to each other, currently the wheel loading is pretty heavy
5. I'd make the ama supports detachable, it would make it easier to use the trailer for other things
6. I'd add a brace for the towbar, mostly up/down but also stiffen it for sideways movement a bit

This is the kit I used, I only bought one but if you don't want to do any welding you might just be able to buy multiple kits and parts and bolt it all together, I wish they had aluminium brackets instead of the black plastic but I guess at this pricepoint it's hard to justify.
https://wikeinc.com/en-ca/products/cargo-diy

If you feel like picking up a welder I did the whole project with a $500 AC/DC Tig welder I ordered off Amazon, granted I have a fair bit of experience but I had no tools here on the island so I just got the cheapest half-decent inverter machine that would get the job done.
Let me know how it goes and if you want me to send you the exact dimensions I can dig up my drawings and send you a diagram plus BOM.

Antonia

Thank you for the details and suggestions. Your design and use of the Wike fittings have given me a lot of good ideas.

I have the Rambo bike trailer (sold on the Rambo website and also on Amazon), along with the Rambo Heavy Duty cargo bike rack. The hitch for the trailer pivots on a fitting attached to the bike rack- so it is higher than the Wike bike axle attachment. I am not sure if that makes it more stable or less stable. So far I have just tried it out in my neighborhood, towing the akas, amas, and sail. The bike and trailer seem to do okay with that weight.

I keep looking at the trailer to figure out if I can add a frame to possibly distribute the weight of the TI. Your design is similar to what I have been thinking of.

You mentioned that 2 additional wheels might be helpful. Would you place them beside the existing wheels? or somewhere else along the frame?

https://i.imgur.com/PK3iNAx.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Z5fgfcH.jpg

Patricia

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Harbor 1

Interesting,

I wanted to be able to store my Tandem on the trailer so I wanted more support so I wouldn't risk deforming the hull, hence the bigger trailer with more framing, if you're just trailering then I think the Rambo would be fine but I'd hesitate to store the hull on there.
I typically load up my kayak and when I leave my house it's ready to go into the water, saves me a bit of time when setting off.

Regarding the extra wheels, I'd move the current wheels back a bit and add another set infront just leaving an inch/25mm between the front and rear set, this would not only distribute the load but also allow the trailer to stand on it's own which would make it easier to hook it up to the bike.