eBike + 100kg trailer - Whats needed?

[eJay]

Hi guys
Had a good read through this great forum, thanks to all! Especially flecc - your trailers are very cool and gave me a few ideas - much appreciated!

I am starting a power washing biz, using my MTB and a custom built trailer to get around. I am a strong cyclist, but I have been looking into ebikes for assistance with inclines and head winds whilst towing. Due to having the trailer, I was thinking I could maybe use SLA batteries initially to lower start up costs. I only have about £300 - £600 in the budget for the kit.

What sort of watt/voltage should I be looking at?
Would the Chinese hub motor kits provide enough torque?
What battery requirements for an assisted range of 25 miles?

Many thanks to any one who can help!
Jay

 

[stevebills]

electro-drive Trailec :.07974 723996.:

 

[banbury frank]

Trailer

Hi Jay

we can supply From stock 1,000watt 48 volt Rear wheel kit with 4 X 24 AH lead acid battery's These would be fitted in your Trailer Please call

Frank

 

[flecc]

A drive through the gears system would be best to haul really heavy loads.

Either the lowish powered Panasonic equipped bikes or the Gepida bike with the Yamaha unit. You'll do around half the work with those and thy wont be fast with weight, but they will manage by changing down the gears.

Alternatively there's the Cyclone crank drive kits which you can add to many bikes, those come in a choice of powers. The lowest powered ones are useless, I'd recommend te 350 watt as minimum or alternatively the 500 watt, but avoid the more powerful ones above that, troublesome battery eaters. They are not well made and the weather proofing has to be improved, but they are a cheap solution.

Member stevew equipped a trike with a Cyclone for his cycle repair business and I'm sure he'll be happy to tell you how suitable or unsuitable it's proved to be. You can contact him through this webpage by PM or email and also visit his business website.

One essential thing with towing heavy weights, you need a low and rigid trailer coupling, seat stem coupling or those with flexing joints are a no-no for keeping control.

Cyclone kits

There's a question mark on the legality of powered trailers, there is no specific legal permission for them on the road that I know of and they don't seem to be covered by e-bike legislation.
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[tappy]

I would suggest you consider upgrading the brakes also

 

[eJay]

stevebills
Thanks, I have seen that before, really good idea! I have looked into powering the trailer, but I'd quite like to be able to mount a li battery of some sort to the bike and using it without the trailer at a later date. Also, the trailer needs to carry a pressure washer and other kit, about 80kg in total.

banbury frank
Once I have decided on the best system I'll give you a call thanks, had your site bookmarked already

flecc
Many thanks, I found a crank drive kit on ebay and spotted the benefits of drive via gears...I'll do some more research into them. My mount design is pretty similar to yours I think, just working out the final design (loads of cardboard stuck to the back of my bike at the mo )
Would you say hub motors (even high powered ones) are out for my intended use?

tappy
Cheers, yeah breaking definitely has to be considered. I have a 203mm hydraulic front disk which I know will slow me + bike + trailer efficiently. What Im working on at the mo is tandem break leaver (2 sets of wires) for breaking the trailer...only thing is Im not sure if it will cause more trouble - id the left/right distribution is off etc. One in progress....

Thanks everyone for taking the time to give advice!!
Jay

 

[stevebills]

I wouldnt recommend the cyclone 500w as the internal controller is weak(mine packed up after 2 weeks) and best to go for the 650w with separate controller if you go down that route of course!

 

[flecc]

Would you say hub motors (even high powered ones) are out for my intended use?

I do use a legal but powerful hub motor bike as well and it's fine for most use. It's my eZee Quando based special, having gears now unlike the original, though even in standard form it was a good performer on gentle climbs.

The Giant-Panasonic bike, the standard Quando and the modified Quando are shown in that order in the first three photos on my Trailers webpage.
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[stevebills]

I love the trailer towing a trailer and you made me giggle!

 

[flecc]

You should have seem that pair after one Xmas when I rode it to the local tip piled high on both trailers with packaging and topped with two Christmas trees.

That raised quite a few smiles on the way!
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[stevebills]

I take my hat off to you Flecc you sound like a really nice guy who has a passion for electric bikes and trailers and who loves passing on his knowlege and experiences to members of Pedelecs

 

[flecc]

Thanks Steve.
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