Parade Trailer Plans

Parade Trailer For Homebuilt Horseless Carriages

Copyright 2004 Everett Moore P.O. Box 1705 Cottonwood, AZ 86326 www.smallcarplans.com

Parade Trailer For Homebuilt Horseless Carriages Since the introduction of the plans for a replica of Henry Ford’s Quadricycle, we have only had one negative comment and that was: “Why didn’t you design the seat wider?” and “could a second seat be added?” Hey guys - It was years after the quadricycle that the Town Car and stretch limousines came to be! Sometimes Henry had a passenger in the seat with him, but that was usually a posed photograph. With the “Made in Taiwan” tires and wheels, it has been my belief that about 300 lbs. payload should be the maximum for the quadricycle. A “full sized” adult plus a small child eliminates carrying more weight. Why not pull a passenger trailer behind the quadricycle? Outside of it’s own weight, all the two wheels on the trailer would have to carry would be the passengers. The wheels used are rated at 300 lbs. each and I believe that’s a generous sum. Staying on the safe side, I’d say a maximum of 500 lbs. would be in line. Now, mix and match this between two adults, one adult and two children or any other combination that does not exceed 500 lbs. The 26 in tires roll easy and the little quadricycle easily climbs a 6% grade with a loaded trailer. What’s a 6% grade you ask? Simply put - for every 100 feet traveled forward, you climb 6 feet higher. Not bad for a 5.5 hp lawn mower engine! The most use a home built horseless carriage will get is in parades and other “homecoming coming” activities. Almost always these are on smooth paved roads. This eliminates the need for springs. Sure, you could design some in but why add the weight and expense?

The design criteria used here was to make a trailer as simple and cheap as possible without sacrificing structure or safety. While on the subject of parades and safety, keep this foremost in your mind in both building and using anything you construct. A parade moving at walking speed may not appear to present much danger to anyone. However, small children are usually in abundance, both in the parade and watching from the sideline. It used to be common practice to toss candy or trinkets from the parade vehicle to children on the sides. After a few serious accidents, most Police Departments prohibit this. Children have been hit in the eye and gotten run over or stepped on by a horse when they suddenly darted out to retrieve a piece of candy or toy. If you want to distribute candy or toys to children, have a person walk on each side and hand them out. Usually, printed material must be approved by the parade authorities. It is imperative that the trailer be attached by a standard ball and coupler and two safety chains provided. These chains should be crossed under the coupler and attached to the pulling vehicle. It’s not uncommon for a parade to have several horse mounted groups. A run-a-way trailer, with small children in it, rolling down a slight grade into a bunch of spooky horses could create a nightmare. This trailer has been designed as a beginner’s project. If you’re new to welding, etc. this could be built before you tackle the vehicle to pull it with.

Parade Trailer Plans — Copyright 2004 by Everett Moore

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The frame is all square cut square steel tubing of 3 different sizes. The welding need is straight forward and simple. There’s no lathe work. A drill press is recommended, however, all drilling could be done with an electric hand drill. The body and seat are all constructed from 3/4 inch plywood. We recommend a cabinet grade plywood for ease of finishing. All joints are butt glued and screwed. The floorboard has “T” nuts placed for easy attaching and removal from the frame. Because of the chance that small children may be riding in the trailer (with an adult), a seat belt might be considered. Most parades will not allow children to ride on a pulled wagon, trailer etc. without an adult. The seat is attached to it’s support with removable pin hinges in the front and latch catches on the rear. Therefore, the area under the seat can be used to carry “stuff” such as things you might need during a parade. With the removable pin hinges, the seat can be removed allowing the trailer to become a miniature “float” when adorned with parade theme decorations. Flag holders can be mounted on the corners. An air horn (squeeze bulb type) could be added so the passenger could respond to, “Blow your horn,” when shouted from the sidelines.

We have included plans for a hitch/drawbar to be added to the quadricycle. It, together with the hitch design on the trailer provide the correct height relationship. If the trailer is to be pulled by cars of other design, you may have to make some adjustments to make the trailer level. All of the hardware used to attach the tongue and hitch is category 8. This may be a bit of over-design, however, it will display a concern for safety on your part. Granted, the average person overseeing a parade may not know a cat 8 bolt from a pop rivet but to other skilled craftsman in the parade, it will show a degree of professionalism on your part. We are an emerging hobby entering the parade scene and we must impose high stands upon ourselves. All the material used in construction was obtained locally except the wheel-tire assemblies and hitch coupler which were purchased from Northern Tool. The wheel is the same one used on our quadricycle - Part No. 145123 (a 26” bicycle size tire - 2.125). Be sure and “slime” the tubes as insurance against “road hazards” such as tacks, staples and thorns. The hitch coupler and ball are 1 7/8 in size and, also are available from Northern Tool. The coupler is Part No. 1280 and the ball is Part No. 1277.

Parade Trailer Plans — Copyright 2004 by Everett Moore

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Glue joints reinforced with screws Hinges

"T" nuts installed in floorboard Typical 10 places

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1/4 - 20 x 2 1/4 Long (10) 1/4 in. lock washer (10) 1/4 in. washer (10) 1/4 in. fender washer (10)

Assembly detail

Rubber floor mat Front edge protection strip

Non-Slip, self-adhesive surface

NOTES:

3

1. Use dimensions shown - Do not scale drawing. 2. The assembly detail shows how body attaches to frame utilizing “T” nuts previously installed into floorboard before it is attached to balance of body. 3. Also, shown is how screws are used to reinforce the butt glued body parts. 4. Approximate locations of seat hinges shown 5. Wheels, axle & hitch coupler not shown for clarity.

PARADE TRAILER Copyright 2004 Everett Moore BODY - FRAME - SEAT ASSEMBLY (Less Wheels, Axle & Coupler)

Draw down catches Approximate location

NOTES: 1. Approximate locations shown for catches. 2. Not shown are the two hinges that attach the seat in the front. 3. Not shown for clarity are the seat, wheels, axle & hitch coupler.

PARADE TRAILER Copyright 2004 Everett Moore

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BODY - FRAME ASSEMBLY (LESS WHEELS & AXLE)

28

1

Typical 10 Plcs

5

Top surface

14

10

33

21

5/16 dia. - c'bore 3/4dia x 1/16 deep Install 1/4 - 20 "T" nuts flush to surface 10 places

Detail of "T" nut mounting 40

NOTES: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Use dimensions shown - do not scale drawing. Material: 3/4 plywood. C’bore with Forstner bit 1/16 deep, then drill thru 5/16 dia. Press “T” nuts to flush with top surface.

PARADE TRAILER Copyright 2004 Everett Moore

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FLOORBOARD

17 (ref) 8R

15

14

1 4

40

33

NOTES: 1. Use dimensions shown. Do not scale drawing. 2. Material: 3/4 in. plywood. 3. Fit parts - glue - Clamp - Reinforce with screws.

PARADE TRAILER Copyright 2004 Everett Moore

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BODY - RIGHT SIDE

33 31

1 2

17 40

NOTES: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Use dimensions shown. Do not scale drawing. Material: 3/4 in. plywood - Door stop = 1/4 in. plywood. Fit parts - Glue - Clamp - Reinforce with screws. Attach door with 2 hinges. Attach sliding bolt door latch & drill hole for latch bolt to secure door.

PARADE TRAILER Copyright 2004 Everett Moore

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BODY - TOP

44

16

4R 15

3 15 4

o

5 16

15 4R 16

80°

40 3

8

1

1 2

1 4

2 17

1R

Front corner top view Typical two places

NOTES: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Use dimensions shown. Do not scale drawing. Material: 3/4 in. plywood. Referring to this drawing and page 9, cut two slots to accept corner brackets. Fit parts - glue - reinforce with screws and corner brackets..

PARADE TRAILER Copyright 2004 Everett Moore

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SEAT ASSEMBLY

Cut slot thru seat back to accept corner bracket both sides

4 in corner reinforcing bracket fasten to rear of seat, extend thru slot fasten to outside of arm rest. ( 2 places )

Rear view of seat

Detail of seat back reinforcement NOTES: 1. Cut two slots as shown. Use router preferably. However, multiple holes can be drilled and connected with jig saw. Slot should only be wide enough to accept the bracket. Prototype used 1/4 in. 2. Drill 1/4 dia holes thru seat back & arm rests and secure brackets with 1/4 - 20 bolts, fender washers and nuts. Place nuts on outside.

PARADE TRAILER Copyright 2004 Everett Moore SEAT - REAR DETAIL

9

4

40 12

15

1 4

1 2

1 2 2 30

33 41

1 2

1

See Notes 3/8 Dia - 4 holes Drill before welding .75

1

1 2

12

1 2

12.50 (ref)

NOTES: 1. Use dimensions shown. Do not scale drawing. 2. Material: Square steel tubing - Main frame = 1 1/2 in. x .120 ; Axle tube = 1 in. x .120 Steel Angle - Tongue mounting brackets = 2 x 2 - .125 x 1 1/2 long (4 brackets) 3. Cut each piece to length, Clamp to dimensions shown and weld together. 4. Mark body mounting holes by using finished floorboard as templete. Drill 5/16 holes thru both walls of tube. Typical 10 places.

PARADE TRAILER Copyright 2004 Everett Moore

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FRAME WELDMENT -

40 5 DIA 8 Thru both walls For safety chain

5

3/8 - 16 x 1 1/2 Bolt (2) 3/8 Flat washer (4) 3/8 Fender washer (4) 3/8 - 16 Nylon lock nut (2)

5

1 4

1 13 DIA (all holes) 32

1 4 12

3 4

1 2

1 7

1 4

NOTES: 1. Use dimensions shown. Do not scale drawing. 2. Material: Tongue & coupler mount = 2 in sq tube x .062 wall 3. Drill holes thru coupler mount to match coupler used.

Tongue & coupler mount

PARADE TRAILER Copyright 2004 Everett Moore

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TONGUE & COUPLER MOUNT

3 4 13 DIA 32 5 DIA 8

1 2 2 1

1 8

Safety chain anchors (2) For quadricycle 5 4.00

1 2 13 DIA (2) 32 Thru both walls

3 DIA 4

5

Detail of hitch to fit quadricycle

NOTES:

12

1. Use dimensions shown. Do not scale drawing. 2. Material: Drawbar base = 1-1/2 in sq tube .120 wall; Drawbar - 2 x 1/4 bar stock. Safety chain anchors = 1-1/2 x 3/16 bar stock. 3. Drill 13/32 dia holes (2) thru rear cross member of Quadricycle frame. Holes must match drawbar welded assembly. 4. Holes should be approximately centered with care to avoid the Hydro disengage mechanism. 5. Attach with Catagory 8 hardware. Use Nylon lock nuts.

PARADE TRAILER Copyright 2004 Everett Moore DRAWBAR & ATTACHMENT DETAILS For Quadricycle

Attach entire assembly to axle with 5/32 cotter pin

1/32 shim washer (as needed) See notes about axle length

1/8 shim washer Wheel Make from 1/2 in pipe cap Drill out to 3/4 dia. - cross drill 5/32 dia. 18

Safety Chain (2)

NOTES:

13

1. Use dimensions shown. Do not scale drawing. 2. Axle = 3/4 dia CRS cut oversize - Push axle thru axle tube on frame - Install shim washers and 1 wheel as show above - Install 1 hub cap, cross drill, install cotter pin - Install shim washers and 2nd wheel - Allowing extra length for hub cap, cut off - Install hub cap - cross drill - Install 2nd cotter pin. 3. Add or remove 1/32 shim washers to allow wheels to turn freely without excesssive end play. 4. Make up 2 safety chains as shown. Attach to holes in tongue end with chain fastener. When coupling to car, drop a link or two to keep from dragging.

PARADE TRAILER Copyright 2004 Everett Moore

AXLE - HUBCAPS SAFETY CHAINS