Modern Buddy

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 4:48 am**

With the increase in scooter purchases, why isn't there a lightweight small pull behind trailer readily available at an economy price--meaning you don't pay as much for the trailer as you do your scooter.

I would think there would be a need for them the more people do not use their cars.

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 4:57 am**

I am sure more knowledgeable members will be able to better respond to this, but I did quite a bit of research trying to find out the answer to your question. I would love to have one, and I read about a lot of attempts to craft something that might work; however, the consensus I found was that in order to manufacture something that would have the right suspension and what-have-you, meet road requirements, and be safe it would be costly and cost, perhaps, more than many scooters.

I was convinced that if you could have them for motorcycles then it would make sense that you could have them for scooters, but I guess a lot of motorcycles pulling trailers are thousands of dollars more than scooters so the owners don't mind investing in them. Honestly, if I had the money I would love to have one, but the idea of spending $2500-$3000 or more for a trailer makes me cringe a little.

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 5:23 am**

ok I'm deleting my comment bcuz I'm tired and didnt actually think about what the post said.. dont mind me I'll go back in my hole now...

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 6:02 am**

There are a lot of people interested in a trailers and I'd be surprised if no one's been working on one. At the same time, given the Buddy's light weight, low center of gravity, frame, etc., I have to wonder about how well a trailer would work on a Bud.

Any engineers here have a quick thought on how practical this would be? Would a Bud be any less stable than a vintage Vespa or other scoot that's been outfitted with a trailer in the past?

Live the Ceveta with the PAV trailer...

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 10:00 pm**

Someone must have the creativity to modify it for a scooter?

Instead of metal, why not something like the Burley?

Measures 34 inches long; 32 inches wide
100 lb capacity.

Or the covered Croozer; 33-1/2" L x 27" W x 22 inches H with weight capacity of 66lbs.

I'll have to check into one of these for the trips I need more carrying space.

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 10:14 pm**

Not much spot for a trailer on the buddy, plus it being all plastic, it would probably crack from constant stop and go. Unless you cut the Mud flap and mounted some sort of towing rig onto the frame itself.

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 10:50 pm**

There must be something that could be designed to mount where the rear rack goes then attach to the trailer simiiar to the way it attaches to a bicycle.

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 10:58 pm**

We used to have a Burley trailer that I would put on my bike and pull the kids around when they were small. I'm sure you could rig up some sort of scooter hitch, but the problem I would see pulling a lightweight trailer with no suspension at less then 20mph is one thing, pulling the same trailer at 45-50 is another. And getting it legal is 4 or 5 another things.

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 11:06 pm**

Yep, we need someone to work out all those kinks and then licensing the trailer in some states?

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 12:13 am**

In NorthernTool.com you will find a small 40"x48" flat bed trailer for $179.99. You will have to put a floor on it and a wheel chock. I had one of these yrs ago and its a great little trailer. Currently I'm using the same trailer only a 4'x8' deck to haul two scooters. Part No. 12542-2806.

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 12:57 am**

Dibber wrote:In NorthernTool.com you will find a small 40"x48" flat bed trailer for $179.99. You will have to put a floor on it and a wheel chock. I had one of these yrs ago and its a great little trailer. Currently I'm using the same trailer only a 4'x8' deck to haul two scooters. Part No. 12542-2806.

I think we've got 2 types of trailers being discussed here.

We're talking about a trailer to haul behind a scooter, right?

I wonder how the trailers Piaggio is making for the MP3 now attach to the body. That's got a plastic shell, too.

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 3:08 am**

Talking about pulling behind the Buddy .... the Buddy pulling the trailer on the street

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 3:33 am**

Yea I wish I had the brains to make a trailer. I have been searching for a pull behind trailer for a while now. The only thing that I have ran across with a possible chance of working is some sort of bicycle trailer.The only thing I was concerned about while looking at the bicycle trailers was,will the faster speeds of the buddy vs a bicycle.I'm not sure since the trailers are meant for
slower speeds.I did find some really cool vintage scooter trailers.But they are
made overseas and are expensive.Check em out.

http://www.maxi-trailers.com/index.html

Tim

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 3:35 am**

ryder1 wrote:Talking about pulling behind the Buddy .... the Buddy pulling the trailer on the street

Dave at the scooter lounge and I have spent a lot of time conversing about how to build one for the stella/vespa.

It's difficult and would probably be expensive.

The way the buddy's are set up would make it probably more difficult do to the frame ending so high up.

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 6:10 am**

Eazy wrote:
ryder1 wrote:Talking about pulling behind the Buddy .... the Buddy pulling the trailer on the street
Dave at the scooter lounge and I have spent a lot of time conversing about how to build one for the stella/vespa.

It's difficult and would probably be expensive.

The way the buddy's are set up would make it probably more difficult do to the frame ending so high up.

I've seen several pics of PAV trailers like the one in the image I added above on Vespas or Stellas (or a Lambretta like one below). There appear to be a few different ways of mounting them, but I think the gist is "bolt it to metal."

IWL (East Germany) made one called the Campi. I've also seen a "camper" style one on a Lambretta.

Maxi Trailers makes PAv replicas and some that are shaped like the rear ends of Vespa P-series (Stellas) and Lammys. $1250+. Oof.
Even more expensive is the "Cyclope" (Cyclops) from France. Want to see the worst Flash site ever? Click that link! Don't think they'll be getting my $1600!

This is the rather ugly MP3 trailer. What's interesting is the size (big) and the way it mounts under the chassis.

So... What would it really take to build a more utilitarian, cheaper trailer? A bubble on a wheel?

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 7:02 am**

Ericalm,

Great post! Hey really I would like to see a Cyclops version for a trailer but without the shell.Honestly I just don't see much in the way of materials to build a Cyclops type trailer,only without the shell.One could use an open non shell version and use bungees or something similar to hold cargo in place.Of course without the shell,the trailer would be lighter and one could better use the trailer space for large or bulky things.Again I wish I was smart enough
to build this thing.Anyone?

Tim

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 11:37 am**

I actually built one that I towed behind a go-ped style scooter. It was similar in design to those in the pics and worked fine. Scooter didn't have enough power to pull much, though...

It COULD be done, but would require body modification since it would have to be mounted to either the frame or engine/transmission assembly.

--Keys

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 3:26 pm**

I do think that a trailer is technically a vehicle and must pass some sort of certification to be street legal. Bad things can happen if one flips, breaks off, limits the scooters control or has lighting and braking issues.

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 8:12 pm**

FA-Q wrote:I do think that a trailer is technically a vehicle and must pass some sort of certification to be street legal. Bad things can happen if one flips, breaks off, limits the scooters control or has lighting and braking issues.

Basically though as long as your tongue is twice as long as your axle is wide it's legal in most states.

Posted: **Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:29 pm**

Anyone built their own yet?? Anyone tried utilizing a bicycle trailer?

Posted: **Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:37 pm**

I'm pretty sure in the near future these folks will be importing the PAV trailers.

Classic Motorworks www.enfieldmotorcycles.com

Posted: **Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:57 pm**

Ahh, love the Royal Enfield. One thing for sure, Royal Enfield has a great site with tons of reasonably priced accessories and parts.

Posted: **Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:21 pm**

UXO wrote:Classic Motorworks www.enfieldmotorcycles.com

Now you've done it! Check out the Military Model! It's now available with the modern engine that doesn't require constant tinkering! My wife's going to kill me!

ECS

Posted: **Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:41 pm**

Here's a pic of my wife's first scooter (Kymco 50) with a bike trailer I modified (from side pull to center pull). She really uitlizes the setup wtih yardsales, Walmart, groceries etc... Her current two stroke 50cc (unmodified) will pull the trailer comfortably @ 40 mph , loaded or unloaded.

Posted: **Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:58 pm**

Is it street-legal?

Posted: **Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:04 pm**

bike trailer would probably make sense with a 50cc but riding with a 125 you probably don't want 2 side-by-side wheels, that would give you big problems leaning into turns. If you were going slow enough to do all of your turns with the handle bar then you probably would be going slow enough to pull a red wagon or something. If you want to turn any faster you would probably have to get a single wheel set-up which I haven't seen for bicycles.

Posted: **Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:49 pm**

barndwellers_md wrote:Here's a pic of my wife's first scooter (Kymco 50) with a bike trailer I modified (from side pull to center pull). She really uitlizes the setup wtih yardsales, Walmart, groceries etc... Her current two stroke 50cc (unmodified) will pull the trailer comfortably @ 40 mph , loaded or unloaded.

Awesome, now the baby can come with mommy and daddy on scooter rides in the trailer!!

Can you tell I'm not a parent...?

Posted: **Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:51 pm**

enzomatic wrote:bike trailer would probably make sense with a 50cc but riding with a 125 you probably don't want 2 side-by-side wheels, that would give you big problems leaning into turns. If you were going slow enough to do all of your turns with the handle bar then you probably would be going slow enough to pull a red wagon or something. If you want to turn any faster you would probably have to get a single wheel set-up which I haven't seen for bicycles.

What if you used a trailer hookup that allowed twisting as well as side-to-side movement? Then the trailer could stay upright on both wheels even as the scooter leans into a turn.

Posted: **Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:09 pm**

I can take same trailer with my 110 Rattler and fly through the turns if it's loaded correctly.

If you do a Google on 'aluminum bike trailer' you will find both the two wheel and uni-wheel trailers that people use on bike trips.

This is a good one that I was getting ideas from a while back:

http://www.bikesatwork.com/

They carry 1000 lbs on their trailers sometimes...from chairs to boxes to fridges (on flat IOWA ground).

Our little trailer is very versatile (only cost a hundred bucks from Craigslist)...the canvas cover is held together via velcro...it comes down and exposes the frame...I've stacked several tires and rims and have taken them to the station to get swapped and balanced. Numerous other odd stuff....8' extension ladders, tools, etc. etc.

My middle teen (a hundred pounder) has sat in the cart for a short ride on a non-busy day...I don't like the kids in there...too dangerous. I go out to get meat from the woods with my longbow...you'll probably see fresh kill in it come September.

As far as being legal....just about every local law-enforcement vehicle has gone by it at some point. Haven't gotten pulled over yet.

Posted: **Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:10 am**

barndwellers_md wrote:Here's a pic of my wife's first scooter (Kymco 50) with a bike trailer I modified (from side pull to center pull). She really uitlizes the setup wtih yardsales, Walmart, groceries etc... Her current two stroke 50cc (unmodified) will pull the trailer comfortably @ 40 mph , loaded or unloaded.

this is exactly what i've been thinking about doing. could you please do a write up or show pictures of how you attached it and the mods you had to do.
thanks
mike

Posted: **Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:58 pm**

Might depend on the state, but I know in NY, NJ and CT trailers need to be DOT certified or have a DMV inspector check it out, have to have brake and tail lights and be registered/titled.

Posted: **Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:24 pm**

ericalm wrote:

This is the rather ugly MP3 trailer. What's interesting is the size (big) and the way it mounts under the chassis.

This thing reminds me of a casket

Posted: **Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:48 pm**

I have a PAV trailer mounted to one of my vintage vespas. It's a love-hate relationship.

1- Most states are going to require you have a trailer license plate and lighting. Not cool if your trailer didn't come with a title or lighting.

2- Most of these trailers do not have suspension in any way. You hit a bump, trailer bounces and flips upside down and you're probably gonna crash.

3- Trailers have weight, but no brakes, which means you're in a pretty good scenario for losing the back-end in a panic stop.

4- You're gonna have to lean, so it's gotta be on a swivel.

5- Great for children! Baby is a bumper, exhaust fumes and road debris!

http://www.scootcleveland.com/download/file.php?id=43

Posted: **Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:02 pm**

pocphil wrote:http://www.scootcleveland.com/download/file.php?id=43

You're maybe 6'2" in boots. And that sticker should have your pants size. Obviously it wasn't made by someone from TSS.

Bb.

Posted: **Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:01 pm**

I didn't make the sticker, a local guy did...he winged it on the size, but he's good...he could make a killing at Cedar Point.

I'm 6'1" with correct posture (never).

According to the shop UPS scale 212 lbs. Starkers.

All at once I felt embarrassed and loved.

The original:

http://2strokebuzz.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=6900

Our new one...

Posted: **Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:30 pm**

Just saw these

for sale. Yep, it's a buddy.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/bfs/759963237.html

Posted: **Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:44 pm**

sbebenelli wrote:
ericalm wrote:

This is the rather ugly MP3 trailer. What's interesting is the size (big) and the way it mounts under the chassis.

This thing reminds me of a casket

Okay, they are making it really hard for me not to buy an MP3. I don't care how the thing looks, flyfishing in the Ozarks, a weeklong camping/photo trip to Colorado? You could fit everything in there.

Posted: **Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:52 pm**

ryder1 wrote:Someone must have the creativity to modify it for a scooter?

Instead of metal, why not something like the Burley?

Measures 34 inches long; 32 inches wide
100 lb capacity.

Or the covered Croozer; 33-1/2" L x 27" W x 22 inches H with weight capacity of 66lbs.

I'll have to check into one of these for the trips I need more carrying space.

I work at a bicycle shop in CT. and have been working out some things to convert a burly trailer, running brake lights to the trailer so it at least gives the look of a legal trailer. I'm going to see how wide a tire will fit on it so as to afford some sort of suspension , and the most important part the attaching point on the buddy, if I can make that work I'll be more than happy to go public with the hitch mount..... till then ............. if anyone has a thought about it let us all know

Posted: **Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:32 pm**

Here is another possible choice for a lightweight trailer.It weighs just 54lbs.
Only question I have,is it large enough?

http://monogo.com/Anglais/laRemorque/description.php

Posted: **Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:38 pm**

Here is a link for a scooter trailer on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Scooter-Trailer-Mo ... dZViewItem

If you want a custom one let me know, we can build just about any trailer to your specifications.

417-693-8851
[email protected]

We're working on a website
www.gcscootertrailers.com

Posted: **Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:10 pm**

There is a company that sells one for $500.

http://www.scootboot.com

Posted: **Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:33 am**

Good luck trying to pull a trailer with a scoot. Get a load shift or an unbalanced trailer and bad things will happen.

Rob

Posted: **Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:53 pm**

Last summer I had a part time job riding a scooter while towing a trailer. They used Chinese generic scooters. The owner said they started with Buddies but had handling problems that he guessed were related to the rear swingarm/suspension design. I start next week with a new company. Will report on what I find.

Posted: **Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:04 pm**

ScooterKing wrote:There is a company that sells one for $500.

http://www.scootboot.com

I sent a few questions to the ScootBoot people. Their responses:

Dear Eric,

Thank you for your inquiry.

The trailer was designed for the speed, hitching requirements, and driving conditions consistent with 49cc scooters. While its light weight is beneficial for towing by a scooter, it is harder to maintain towing stability at speeds in excess of 45-50mph.

As you probably know, in many states, there is a 49cc ceiling for a bike to legally be considered a scooter. As Scoot Boot is not DoT certified as a motorcycle trailer, it can only be used on 49cc scooters.

At this time there is no plan for a model for larger scooters.

For intellectual property reasons, we cannot provide images of the hitch design. The hitch does allow full range of motion by using flexible rubber to allow both for range of motion and ride stability.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any furthur questions.

Ride safe,

The Scoot Boot team

Posted: **Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:58 am**

Thanks for the post.

I think I might get one of these scoot boots. It's cheaper than the monogo I was looking at and I don't need a separate hitch.

My only hesitation: Shoud I be getting a single wheel trailer.

Posted: **Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:06 pm**

That Scoot Boot looks interesting. Simple. I bet it would be ok to put on a larger scooter, if you're just going around town at lower speeds. Like, holiday shopping, for example.

Posted: **Tue Nov 01, 2011 5:30 am**

runtotorun121 wrote:I am sure more knowledgeable members will be able to better respond to this, but I did quite a bit of research trying to find out the answer to your question. I would love to have one, and I read about a lot of attempts to craft something that might work; however, the consensus I found was that in order to manufacture something that would have the right suspension and what-have-you, meet road requirements, and be safe it would be costly and cost, perhaps, more than many scooters.

I was convinced that if you could have them for motorcycles then it would make sense that you could have them for scooters, but I guess a lot of motorcycles pulling trailers are thousands of dollars more than scooters so the owners don't mind investing in them. Honestly, if I had the money I would love to have one, but the idea of spending $2500-$3000 or more for a trailer makes me cringe a little.

check out The QTvan this is funtastic and can be pulledc with a bike. also sleeps one.

Posted: **Tue Nov 01, 2011 6:39 am**

AAARRRRHHHHH!!!! ZOMBIE THREAD!!!!

Shoot it in the head, and kill it with fire

Posted: **Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:06 pm**

Yeah it is, BUT I did see a few cool designs in there that I woulda missed without a resurection...So its cool:)

Posted: **Wed Nov 09, 2011 3:07 pm**

umm I might not fully understand some of the problems that are being discussed. I was hoping to find out if trailers were cheap. or whether I should just go ahead and build one... I didn't realize people would have problems with building one.
When I look at the trailers they all look like a wheelbarrow wheel on a metal frame, that can be connected to a single point on the moped "centered". which is easy enough to build.
or designing the frame so you can just bold a moped front fork to provided suspension.
Am I off my rocker here?

<img src=https://www.1977mopeds.com/PDGImages/im ... ck-263.jpg alt="Front fork to use with a trailer?"/>

Modern Buddy

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