I'm considering a a tandem rig for my buggy.

I was wondering though, how the driving dynamics change. If I were to do an "s" turn with a bit of rear axle slide to slow down for example, would I run the risk of a jackknife?

What about hard turns on a gybe? Do you risk a crack-the-whip effect and hurl your passenger?

Any tips, warnings or ideas appreciated!

Try it empty or with a sand-bag in the rear first before you try it with anyone you like or care about back there. That way you can get a feel for how your buggy handles, as well as what manouvers are likely to flip the tandom.

I towed a heavy sack around in my kids bike trailer just to see if I could flip it before strapping my kids in there, as I knew it would be easier to flip than a buggy in tow.

your turns will have to be a bit more wide and your snap quick manuvers will almost not happen in a tandem, just think of what you can and cant do while towing a trailer with you own car.... high radius u turns, cant back up as well, wide turns... just take it slow you should be fine...tandems are easy to jacknife if the turn is to tight.

This past year at NABX we hooked up 7 buggys in tandem. We were flying nasa wings on handles and had 4 kites up one in every other buggy. In some of the other buggys we had passengers taking video. I was in the last buggy and had no problem. We did take big wide turns. It sure was a blast. I am ready to go again.

Susan

Greg - can I see a picture of how you attached your bike trailer to your buggy? My little guy would love to come along with me for the ride!

Joe

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Originally posted by DaVinch Greg - can I see a picture of how you attached your bike trailer to your buggy? My little guy would love to come along with me for the ride! Joe

I don't currently have a close-up shot of the hitch. The Libre buggies have a "hitch" welded to the rear axel for hitching up a second buggy, which makes it pretty easy.

To hook up the bike trailer, I purchased a 6-8" long bolt, split and flat washers, and nuts to fit. Then with a LPG torch, heated up the bolt 'till it got nice and red so I could put a nice 90° bend in it for the trailer to grab like it does on a bicycle. Viola!

I've had them up to about 27mph on a straight line. But I need to slow way down to come about. Their CG is a bit higher than mine, and with the narrow wheel base, the rubber side can get the wrong way up without too much effort. However, there is a 5-point harness around my little guys and helmets.

I did flip them once. Not because I was going too fast, but just because I turned too sharp and had wheel-to-wheel contact with the buggy and the trailer and over they went. They thought it was more fun than I did, and wanted me to flip 'em again. Boys...

In any case, caution is the operative work here. By the time I work out a better bike trailer hitch, I'll have another buggy to use instead. Then they can take turns going for rides, and so can my wife.

sorry if you have already seen this vid, but you can get an idea of what happens when you do a turn with a tandem, I made a very simple device for towing a second buggy...





best advice I can give i make sure you have plenty of room and use the kite, taking it to the zenith to slow down, if you look on the video the second turn I took, I caught the passengers leg by taking the turn to harply

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF0RVTORsS8

The other option of course is to make the trailing buggy into a propper trailer, is this case a twin buggy trailer for carrying two pasengers



This trailing twin buggy when added to the front buggy is 16 feet long, and sure the turning circle will be a lot more than using a buggy on its own, Jon the guy who I made it for is veryy happy with it and says it is very stable even at 40 mph, it has many many uses, but was mainly made for him to take his two daughters out with him on kiting days.




hope this helps a little

Carl

Carl
Thanks for the photos and great vids. I'll guess that guy's leg is OK since we didn't here any screaming! Ouch, though, good thing to look out for.
I'll be looking for a Peter Lynn buggy I think since they have the fittings for a tandem available, it seems. I don't have the tool set you do for metal. I love your work, though.

Later today I'll post the photos of the Rockville you asked about in the other thread.

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Originally posted by acampbell Carl Thanks for the photos and great vids. I'll guess that guy's leg is OK since we didn't here any screaming! Ouch, though, good thing to look out for. I'll be looking for a Peter Lynn buggy I think since they have the fittings for a tandem available, it seems. I don't have the tool set you do for metal. I love your work, though. Later today I'll post the photos of the Rockville you asked about in the other thread.

Thanks Angus

How about a tandem with 2 kites? My son is getting to the point where he can buggy pretty well and we will try it next time out. Any pointers?

Seany

Driving a tandem is different. At speed and power on the dry lake bed, if you try to turn really hard upwind the front wheel just slides. I've had to take an evasive downwind turn to avoid the side of the lake bed.

You can slide the back buggy out if you come out of a turn with lots of power/speed. Kinda fun for the back person.

Steve

This is an account from the Guy in the Uk Jon that owns the Twin trailer buggy

I Quote


As Popeye has previously mentioned, i dont really notice the buggy on the back, the only main difference is the weight, getting going is fairly easy, the stopping is the hard bit, big slow underturns to keep the weight in the buggy. The all up weight with 2 adults in the back is well over 600LB'S nearer 650 700 to be honest, (I am 214lbs).

Turning circle is not effected at all as the trailing arm is so long, infact you can kick the back end out on the front buggy fairly easily, trouble is there is so much grip on the back end you tend to go in a straight line if going fast.

I cant make up my mind on the weight, being so heavy it is really safe as it does not bounce at all which is safer for the kids, i will be making some harnesses to make sure that they dont bounce out, plus i would never go fast with them in anyway. If transporting young kids then a Cosy Toes is a must to ensure they dont put their feet down.


Two adults in the back a different matter though!
Flat out blatting all the way ...lol

When we were at Margam kite Festival, i had two female BBC reporters in the back filming so you might see it on TV sometime, i think i had my 2.5 up and we were also on a hill, pulled just as easy up the hill as down.

How would i make it better? Stainless steel is the only anwser.


I also think that if going for a speed record this is the way forward as the trailer provides so much traction, as there is hardly any sideways slide.

I would also get some second hand kites not to trash your good ones, as the weight is emense, it will definitely stretch something!

If you are down my way anytime give us a shout take you out for a blast!

More pictures here http://www.buggybags.co.uk
the last item on the left hand options page.

Cheers
Jon
www.buggybags.co.uk

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Originally posted by jonesing4wind How about a tandem with 2 kites? My son is getting to the point where he can buggy pretty well and we will try it next time out. Any pointers? Seany

That has been done many many times Seany and with some good results, but down to co-ordination and the skill of the two kites, just make sure the guy in the back follows the Pilots lead. At some point Jon will try out the twin trailer with three kites......now that should be interesting

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Originally posted by popeyethewelder [At some point Jon will try out the twin trailer with three kites......now that should be interesting

Especially with the 2 side be side in the trailer! The upwind persons handles would be crotch level with the downwind person:wow: