Bikesport Micro-Camper Tows Behind a Bike Full Plans

[@SIC647]

Great design. I have been looking for a design like that to make a pull-out AND collapsible trailer (sides from truck tarp). You just gave me new ideas on how to make that happen. Thanks!

[@solarcabin]

Thanks! Here is the plans: www.simplesolarhomesteading.com/bikesport-camper

[@solarcabin]

For a limited time you can get the free plans for this Bikesport camper on my Instructable. All I ask is you VOTE for this project on the orange VOTE button on the top right of the page here: www.instructables.com/id/Bikesport-Micro-Camper/

[@solarcabin]

Plans are right here: www.simplesolarhomesteading.com/bikesportmicrocamper.htm Trailer is the Aosom Elite II available here: amzn.to/1OwT1FG

[@solarcabin]

I just contacted Aosom Corp that makes the trailer to see if they would be interested in the design for a commercial product so I hope maybe we can get that to happen. Wish me luck!

[@syeedleahnajjar6971]

Your idea was awesome I wish all the details to building it were included good luck with awesome

[@manofYahweh10]

Thanks for sharing with me and I will look more into building this camper.

[@solarcabin]

Aosom has reduced the price on the trailer to $99.95: amzn.to/1WcsghX

[@johnlang7704]

Lamar, I know that you hear this a lot but I really look forward to your video's. Keep up the good job!

[@solarcabin]

+John Lang Thanks John and I appreciate al you guys that have stayed with me through the years. More good stuff coming!

[@isthe9484]

Awesome man! Love your ingenuity and ability to think for yourself. Good SketchUp skills too. Also love that you've arrived at a higher state of mind where you're not even remotely phased by the notions of shame/embarrassment our corporation-brainwashed, mindlessly-consuming society often associates with frugality (aka: living and spending intelligently/efficiently) .

[@mannyperez9789]

Do you still sell the bike camper plans can't find it in your website thanks

[@solarcabin]

Free plans: drive.google.com/file/d/18hKhT0FT-C8aVX3LIX99eln3c9Ae-GqX/view?usp=sharing

[@williamvan909]

Hay buddy good information to know but it's gotta be bigger like 3'1/2 x6' 8" long standerd size I made your wambot this size working great 👍👍👍😊 thank you for the update stay safe down there 🤠 Amen from Alaska micro wambat.

[@solarcabin]

You could make it longer but most people are not as tall as you William, lol!

[@williamvan909]

@@solarcabin lol 😆 your right buddy 🤠 stay safe down there.

[@pattikelly8921]

Two foot wide? How will that work? People use the Aoesum Elite to go wider by 6in on each side. You build out and over the wheels.

[@solarcabin]

This is just for ideas and could be built wider. It is 3 feet wide for a cot mattress.

[@nickstoykov]

how do you connect the two pieces together ? how do you insulate the gap between the two pieces ?

[@solarcabin]

Use the foam rubber weather stripping used for doors.

[@anthonyharman7837]

Hi lamar do you have any plans available for this camper please

[@solarcabin]

Ooops! Looks like I need to fic that link. If you want to use paypal and send me the $5 to [e-mail] I will send you the plans and a bonus plan for the Wombat camper.

[@musicalhealer2143]

Would it be possible to add a slide out on the side opposite of the door to add more room. For instance I was thinking about putting a solar panel on top and having that extra room for battery storage and to put in a fold down table, for when it’s raining. Would there be a way to do that or would it compromise the integrity? Thank you Mr. Lemar. I’m a huge fan and plan to live off grid. I also love your music, sir. My two favorites are I am your own man and the tax man’s coming. Thank you sir!

[@kansascountry970]

Very cool and well thought out! I may have to take this idea and scale it up a little bit for a motorcycle. I designed a teardrop camper for my motorcycle but ultimately decided against it because I didnt like the idea of a 6.5ft long trailer behind my motorcycle, it just seemed a little too long.

[@solarcabin]

+Off Grid Kansas Thanks and I agree- one wind gust gets a trailer swaying and down you go. This would be more aerodynamic and you can get heavier frames.

[@pineapple0310]

Do you think it would work the same if it was a little taller?

[@PREPFORIT]

Great design. Even with a tarp draped over it would make shelter for a few more people.

[@derskowi]

Gute Idee

[@nywherebuthere]

Great design

[@solarcabin]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@deezynar]

1/4" plywood would be plenty strong. Coroplast would even work for all the panels except maybe the one you lean against.

[@TheRebelmanone]

Corrugated plastic on the outside and 1/4 ply on the inside with the wood frame between and it will be plenty strong for a bike camper, at the same time be finished on the inside. But i would try foam board covered in PMF both sides/ Important to laminate both sides even if you don't see the inside layer, it is for impact strength.

[@Charlemagne1367]

@@TheRebelmanone The laminations with PMF on the inside does very little for impact strength. It does however make the strength it takes to resist bending higher, and this strenght is determinded by the limits of the fibers and how far apart they are placed. So by having relatively strong fibers and keeping those fibers separated by a light weight and fairly incompressible material, a very light and strong panel can be made. If you want impact strength, 1/8 plywood can be used. I am testing some laminations, just some eps, cotton bedsheet on both sides glued with ordinary wood glue. First sand the eps with 240 grit sand paper, only in one direction to prevent "tear out". With ordinary wood glue glued the cotton bed sheet material. Makes for an already much stronger and super cheap lamination. Then glued a 2mm layer of cork on top for the inside. Outside will be painted. At the moment this is about 2.9 pounds per square foot, without the cork about 2.3 pounds per square foot. For a floor i will used 2 inch xps covered both sides with pmf and some 1.5 x 3/4 wood routed into the foam to attach the wheels and hitch. For framing minimal wood blocks will be used to hold screws for the door, windows, etc. When the outside is be dented, just take a clothes iron and a cloth to it to pop dents back out. I dare not imagine what 1/2 ply with 2 x 4 framing would weigh, it's just not needed. For a bike camper weight is very important. The difference between pulling a 85 pounds trailer vs. 200/225 pounds will be felt big time when it gets even a little hilly. What you put inside the trailer in terms of clothes, food, solar, ameneties makes the weight rise fast. Paul Elkins used 1.5 by 3/4 timber and corrugated plastic as platform for his camper for example and no framing for the canopy, just corrugated plastic.

[@jeffreywitty3088]

Winterize: (lose 0.25" interior space, each wall/side + eats 25% of interior storage shelf to equip) 1: 1.5" R12.5 PUR rigid insulation, skinned in 5mm, marine exterior/R7.5 (0.5")/with R5 foil face interior (final sealed with silicon) = R25 (or R27, outer skin may add R2) 2: A19 socket (lightbulb, household type) 50w (75w/100w also) infrared bulb heater in reflector hood (chicken coop encased ir coil) + 100w panel + 10a(+) charge controller + 50aH(+) battery 3: Add a 2nd socket for a LED buld (for light, up to 9w) + an 12v, car "socket/cigarette lighter" type, 90w inverter (1x outlet/1x usb) to charge your phone (if you have one). 4: Seal telescoping/joining area with 2x "weather strips" for doors, 1x each side, full interior perimeter (test seal as "stops liquids")

[@mheermance]

Has anyone sent you photos of a completed trailer in use? I'd be curious to see someone getting into and out of it.

[@eddiecagle4806]

Hey brother cool video,hope to see more in the near future.i just came across your channel a week ago today.have told all my buddies about it.

[@solarcabin]

+Eddie Cagle Right on and thanks Eddie!

[@eddiecagle4806]

Np hey where are you from? I'm from indiana. The world needs more independent thinkers,like us! And we will live in a much more needed and peaceful world.i really like your idea for your well so simple, yet so great! Keep it up.

[@solarcabin]

+Eddie Cagle Rocky mountains- out in the boonies lol!

[@andyk7565]

It might be nice to put an entry door on both sides... if it would not adversely impact structural stability. It would add accessibility and ventilation.

[@TheRebelmanone]

It would be fine, it is 1/2" ply with a wooden frame. And that also means there will be a wooden frame around that other door too, it will be as strong as a house for the most part. But that trailer itself is weak, but his camper that sits on top is solid.

[@wildbill23c]

This is a great design. Really like the layout and the idea. You definitely want to keep the weight down if you feel like pulling a lot of weight load it down, but personally I'd want it light as possible. You would want some sort of suspension system if you plan on towing it behind a faster vehicle like a scooter. That trailer will be dangerous with no suspension, it will start bouncing and throw you off your scooter. I have a small trailer to pull behind my lawn tractor, and the people I got it from was trying to use it to pull behind their motorcycle. No suspension at all, as a result it was downright dangerous for them, so they bought a motorcycle trailer LOL. This will definitely work fine for running around town, 20mph or less, anything faster and just be extremely careful.

[@solarcabin]

+William Todd (williamtodd) I would get an electric assist bike for the hills. It should pull easy on the straights even with a good load if balanced right.

[@wildbill23c]

solarcabin I actually just ordered a 2 stroke engine kit for my bike looks like that should work great to pull this trailer. I want to get a trailer built and use the bike and trailer during the summer months rather than driving my truck. The fuel savings would cover the cost of the bike engine and trailer build in a month :). Just with I had video capabilities to post a video of how the setup goes once I get it setup.

[@wildbill23c]

***** There have been a couple of electric/gas bike combinations made. Bikeberry.com sells the kits, and a couple of customers have posted electric/gas bikes on their facebook page. Front wheel gets replaced with a wheel assembly that has an electric motor in the hub, then you add the gas engine kit for driving the rear wheel. I've put about 80 miles on my 49cc 2 stroke engine so far and still on the first gallon of fuel, expect to get at least 100 miles per gallon with it and at the rate its going it will easily get there. Going to see how things go and I may pickup the front wheel & electric kit possibly next year. The only thing is I haven't figured out the battery charging setup LOL. You have to plug the battery into a charger to recharge it. The 2 stroke engine will supply a little power through the magneto but not nearly enough to charge the battery I don't think, so some other charging means would be needed for sure.

[@wildbill23c]

***** They offer a 36 or 48 volt electric motor kit, I was looking at the 48 volt kit because of the longer run time between having to recharge, plus 36 volt for charging & running some sort of solar system seemed like an odd number to me to try and work with, where I knew there are 48V solar systems out there.

[@wildbill23c]

***** My current bike is a Walmart $100 Huffy LOL. It works just fine for this application. Adding the 2 stroke engine kit, new tires, tubes, a digital speedometer rounded out to $300 total. The electric 48V motor kit with battery is $800. It includes a complete 26" wheel, tube, tire assembly, the motor is in the wheel hub. You also get the 48V Li-Ion battery, charger, wiring harness, etc. Still quite expensive...and you can buy a complete electric scooter for $1400 with a cruising range of 35 miles, these use a Silicon type 48 Volt battery though at 14aH. With a charging setup using solar panels the range could definitely be increased almost indefinitely...especially if you add higher capacity batteries. The little bicycle trailer sounds like a great idea and hope in the near future to build one, even as a way of hauling stuff around.

[@Smiirffable]

Are you still selling the plans?

[@solarcabin]

Plans here: www.simplesolarhomesteading.com/bikesportmicrocamper.htm

[@Smiirffable]

@@solarcabin thanks! Going to build one with my dad this summer!

[@melindawilliams1529]

Smart. Creative and compact.

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

I like where you are going but you need pitch to the roof or it will leak. Or you can tarp it.

[@solarcabin]

+Grunge Luggage Tours The top plywood panels overlap all edges so no leaking. Just caulk the inside edges. Sealed with primer and a couple coats of exterior oil.

[@michaelschmidt4618]

Use flex seal tape and flex seal too seal all seams

[@eliazerrodriguez1410]

That's great, I want to build one on my 40x48 trailer

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

I currently own a runaway camper it is a good camper one problem I have is you can't sit on a stool and sit with your head straight. So you will not be able to spend any wake time in it geeking on the internet or watching a movie. I was thinking maybe I could cut the floor out some and allow me to drop my feet into a foot well that would do to allow your but to be on the floor and feet in the well or one in the well and a leg straight out. Thing is I need to open the floor or the roof and if I open the floor I can have a insert that works that if done right the foot well can be a foot soak.

[@solarcabin]

+Black Trove Right on!

[@wildbill23c]

+Black Trove Excellent idea, lexan might be a little lighter weight than plywood as well.

[@tobiasmohlen2454]

Bauanleitung?

[@solarcabin]

www.instructables.com/Bikesport-Micro-Camper/

[@believeliveloveandlaugh3844]

Very creative... Thanks for sharing.

[@AndyHoward]

The plans can't be found (404 Error)

[@solarcabin]

drive.google.com/file/d/18hKhT0FT-C8aVX3LIX99eln3c9Ae-GqX/view?usp=sharing

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

I would beef it up and design it to be towed by a scooter. You tow this with a scooter then you can move from town to town top speed 45 and you can get where you got to go. Insurance for a scooter is $75 a year for me very affordable.

[@solarcabin]

+Grunge Luggage Tours This trailer is not designed for highway but with lights and legal you could stay on town roads I think.

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

I want to see the promised 3 wheeled car promised to be built in Shreveport LA. ELIO motors is suppose to be 2 seater climate controlled 3 wheeled ride that cost under $8K Suppose to get over 50 mpg I want one because it will be classified as a Motorcycle and that means I pay just $75 a year insurance and I still get to be out the wind sun and rain. I want to put a trailer hitch on it and tow my runaway camper. I don't want to go on the interstate with this I just want to polk along surface streets and run mostly at night. I want somebody to take a used Prius and hack it down into a 3 wheel to qualify for the insurance and this way when you put solar panels on it the Prius battery serves both as fuel savings but also as storage for the solar. Another car that would work great would be this one on an APE chasis. Or a tuk tuk motorhome. www.pinterest.com/pin/450782243930998126/

[@solarcabin]

+Grunge Luggage Tours I think that 3 wheeler turned out to be a scam. I was looking at it and they made some bold claims. I ride motorcycles and love them but for towing not so good so a 3 wheeler would be better.

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

They are talking of building the car IDK if they will but there is more talk of the car being built. RIGHT NOW I am doing trials I sleep in my RUNAWAY camper in my yard. So far so good I got a twin 39 inch wide mattress called SLUMBER 1 and man is that thing comfortable. I have a mattress cover that is electric for when it gets cold all I have to do is plug it in and I got a warm bed. I also have an exercise mat on top not for comfort but because it is made of a slick material that allows me to slide into the camper with ease. See you can't stand up in this camper but to sleep in it is PERFECT. You wake up you get gone and have no need for your cubby hole until you are ready for more sleep.

[@aaronhuneycutt5738]

frugal, that's actually what I was looking for! :)

[@rickrita311066]

Very clever idea.Thanks

[@jeffharmed1616]

Thanks for sharing Some good ideas . I think you need to think use better materials such as fiberglass and canvas and raise the height and length a bit.

[@Truth-Speaker13]

Great Video Sir!

[@jesperwiklund3259]

what sort of wood did you use?

[@solarcabin]

Just pine dimensional lumber for the frame. You could use marine grade ply for the shell.

[@jesperwiklund3259]

ok thanks, im a 13 years old kid. me and my dad is gonna build this to me. du you think im 160 cm long. do you thint i can build a bigger strorage?

[@jesperwiklund3259]

ok thanks, im a 13 years old kid. me and my dad is gonna build this to me. 160 cm long. do you thint i can build a bigger strorage? (i did write wrong)

[@gr8t1bobo]

I like the idea but i would not build one out of wood like that. They just don't weather well. I like how it pulls out that way but you would need some more thicker legs to keep it from wobbling. If you used a wooden rod or pipe it would just go right in the ground and then be unstable or snap. I would do some sort of pull out legs that are a bit thicker and more stable. How well will this last in the rain? What about being in a thunder storm or in colder temperatures? Hows the insulation and is water going to get in the seams when it rains? Nothing against your plans you show how to build the thing in the video so why would we by a paper version of the video? Especially if you have to beg in your video for us to buy them off you. That's not a good sign.

[@aeislugh]

do you know if that 180lb weight limit is just for when actually towing it? would the stabilizers add some weight allowance to it when parked? unfortunately, I'm no small guy and would need it more beefy lol. Other than that, I love the design, I've had something like it running through my head for ages. Maybe I should sit down with solidworks and put something together

[@solarcabin]

+aeislugh It has a load limit of 180 but that is without the stabilizers and I think it could handle more. The weight is spread out.

[@aeislugh]

+solarcabin thanks!

[@Actionronnie]

Ursinos The thing with weight limits on off the shelf trailers,they don't tell you the weak point of it where it will fail due to weight. I'm sure they underestimate the load for safety reason. I have a schwinn tandem child trailer, max load weight is 100lbs. I removed the fabric bottom & replaced it with plywood and easily move 200lbs with it. The welded frame can easily hold more weight,but the tires and hitch now become the weak load point,instead of the fabric bottom that held the kids.

[@worldr6477]

Perfect.

[@gilbeck1972]

It looks good on paper but idk how it would turn out

[@worldr6477]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@HikariUzimaki]

i like that I can tow with my electric moped!

[@whatsgoing_on8812]

Most of the bicycle camper trailers are not practical because they take up a lot of room for storage when your not using it. If you live in a big home with a back yard for a boat or camper trailer that's one thing but when you live in a single room efficiency apartment you need a bicycle camper trailer that can fit into a closet or like me under dinning table. Wish somebody would come up with some plans on a bicycle camping trailer like the 180 lb capacity Aosom cargo trailer that can be folded up and stored in a 34 X 28 x 6 inch place. My Aosom cargo trailer can fit under my dinning table that sets 4 people. I have solar panels fitted to the top of my trailer to recharge my eZip Trailz electric bikes 24 volt battery pack plus I can run a DC air pump and charge my phone right off the controller regulator. It must be able to live off grid and then be able to convert back into a cargo trailer to do the grocery shopping with. Must be able to set up the tent on the ground or on the cargo trailer off the ground in wet areas.

[@Tom-cy5em]

This is a good idea they should build them for the homeless and transients so they have a warm place to sleep

[@solarcabin]

+Tom Larkins That is the original purpose for this design. It evolved into a great little camper for anyone to use.

[@JamesPakele]

@@solarcabin Aloha, I work with the houseless here in Hawaii. The plans for this seem to not be on your website anymore. I'd pay for the plans if they are available... Please feel free to contact me at [e-mail] Mahalo!

[@tenij000]

this cool if wane go to a spot wane do some fish hunting or kids

[@hichambanamar6593]

👍😍👍👏👏👏👏👏🌴🚲

[@MyLifesVentures]

Hey Solar, wondered w/out goin back thru all your videos if you by chance have any do it yourself builds for like swing arm boxes for behind a van? or sport utility vehicles etc.? Something like this that isnt $3,000? I'm looking for a self made setup like this for my E-350 superduty van, I travel across the U.S. & need cargo room and an area for my generator, something like this would be fantastic! But to purchase this setup you see here accrete.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/AWDstickers-e1463355978850.jpg is way outta my league or price range, im small time, cant afford that kind of setup, what he has is this here www.aluminess.com/ford/ford-vans-1992-2007/ford-van-92-07-rear-bumper/ again, waaay outta my league, any tips?

[@solarcabin]

+Tim Xpedites I don't do a lot of metal fabricating. I have a buddy that does welding for a living. I bet if you took the pics to a local welder he could make one up for a few hundred.

[@MyLifesVentures]

+solarcabin yes sir, thank ya

[@denisbarriault6781]

When it's in position towing mode. Does it lock in place? Nice job. Well made.

[@marshabarrett1669]

there is no prettier color combination than red and black

[@sinantuncay1069]

I do not know if other countries have that but in Turkey we have "basket bikes" which has additional wheel on their side and on top of that there is a small basket for carrying items in it. You can build this trailer on top of it and I think that'll be an awesome vehicle for camping etc. Here is the link for that motorbike d.aydin24haber.com/other/manisanin-turgutlu-ilcesinde-sepetli-bir-motosiklet-agaca-carpti-kazada-surucu-agir-motosikletin-yolcu-koltugunda-bulunan-sahis-hafif-yaralandi-IHA-20150304AW342044-1-t.jpg

[@solarcabin]

+Sinan Tuncay Thanks- it looks like a type of sidecar but I have not seen them here in the states. You could probably build the camper on one of those.

[@gr8fzy1]

I weigh 250...does that mean it will collapse if I get in? lol

[@solarcabin]

+gr8fzy1 Well, it means this may not be the best project for you or you will need to bulk up the frame and suspension.

[@Alpatriod]

Lol I'm 6'5"

[@solarcabin]

+Alpatriod You can make the pull out bed longer. Average height is 5'8 so I went with that.