Pedicab Trailer

This board chronicles my build of a pedicab trailer to be towed by a bicycle. See all the build steps for this project on my Maker website: http://www.renoguy.com/category/pedicab-trailer/?order=asc

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Guy Johnson

a bike with a bench attached to the back

The completed pedicab trailer.

a yellow cart with a wooden seat on the sidewalk next to some grass and bushes

With the paint cured, it's time to reassemble the pedicab.

an old fashioned tricycle with a wooden seat on the back is parked in front of a brick sidewalk

Pedicab with armrests attached.

a broken chair sitting on top of a sidewalk

With the pedicab build essentially complete it is now time to add the icing (i.e. paint). Break down the build to its separate components in order to prep for painting; clean up welds; remove weld splatter; sand rough areas; etc. etc. The more pre-painting prep work you do, the better the result of painting. I intend to prime, paint and let cure over the course of a few days. While I'm waiting for the paint to cure, I'll upholster the seat bottom and back.

a yellow cart with an umbrella sitting on top of it next to a brick walkway

Pedicab Trailer – Reno Maker

See all the build steps for this project on my Maker website: http://www.renoguy.com/category/pedicab-trailer/?order=asc

four different views of a park bench with an umbrella over it and some other pictures

more accoutrements

four different types of outdoor furniture on the ground and in front of a brick walkway

Priming and painting.

two wooden chairs sitting next to each other on top of metal frame tables in a garage

For the seat bottom and back I'm starting with a sheet of ply wood. I will pad and upholster these pieces to make custom seat cushions. Like the floorboards, these plywood sheets are attached to the frame using carriage bolts. Under the seat bottom I welded a cross support to add strength and rigidity to the seat.

four different views of a yellow cart with wheels

accoutrements

a large metal screen sitting on top of a brick sidewalk next to a yellow pole

The seat back completed and installed. The fabric was repurposed from some leftover material my wife had.

Related searches

There is no shortage of how-to videos and online resources that provide instructions on upholstering a bench. [Google “upholster a bench” to see what I mean.] Just remember to cut the fabric large enough to wrap around the foam padding and plywood back while leaving ample fabric to which to staple. You can always trim off the excess later. Also, don’t forget to place your bolts in the seat back prior to upholstering.

four pictures showing how to make a diy table with plywood and tape measure

Cutting the foam for the seat cushion.

a brush sitting on top of a wooden table

Making the seat cushions. I sanded the edges of the plywood seat back and bottom so that they would not tear the fabric. Note: if the plywood fits snugly into the frame, then you may need to trim the size slightly in order for the plywood to be able to fit again after the fabric is attached.

the view from inside a train looking out at a driveway and tree lined street in front of it

Prior to painting I added a top bar bar to the frame. This piece will ultimately support the pedicab's sunshade/roof.

four different angles of the same bike handlebars, including one with an umbrella on it

Making armrests. The armrests for the seat were made from 1" EMT. I was able to use my pipe bender on the 1" size, so no need to buy 90° elbows. These were clamped into place; positioned appropriately and then welded onto the frame.