Just exploring my options here. Eventually I will be looking for a different buggy. Not too picky on brand but I want something with a built in backrest. Is there anything available ?

From a recommendation from BeamerBob I built a simple U-Shaped backrest.

Note that I lowered the uprights 1.5" after this pic was taken:


The mounts are Kee-Klamp.
The Pipe is 3/4" electrical pipe that has threads on either end.
Uprights are 8" in length and I cut off the threads in the end that go INTO the Kee Klamps
I used 90 degree corners to go from Vertical to Horizontal.
I used two 7" pipe and a center connector on the Horizontal.
I installed 1" rubberized foam with tape on the open part to hold together.
I added 2-wraps of Duct Tape on the upright, the corners, and the dead-center where the center connector is.
I used elastic sports wrap (2+ rolls) to wrap the whole thing.



I can say that it did not budge or deteriorate on my last week-long outing.

iPaul

Thanks for the picture / info Paul. I've been trying to think of something similar myself. Yours looks like it works great Lately though I've been feeling like I could use an upgrade LOL. I know there are not buggies just laying around everywhere. But there's got to be something somewhere right?

Upon further thought I think I'm going to do something like what you did Paul thanks for the idea! If and when I ever get it done I'll take a picture and send it to you.

Local guy here took a couple of PVC Tees and cut them to split them open and hose clamped them to the buggy side rails. Then using a heat gun; curved or bowed a piece of PVC to join them and padded it using a large size pool noodle. I'll get a pic of it next time I see it.

Here are the three options I used. PVC, a weird clamp, and finally the Kee Klamp.


I tried two versions of the PVC clamps. Neither would handle the pressure I put on them. This was built for a PL buggy and the angle was because the side bars angle away from the seat. Adding this bend put it inline with the pilot.


This is a clamp that I found on McMaster Carr. I used the 3/4" metal pipes from Home Depot here as well. It was also not strong enough for the forces I put on it as well as the vibrations from riding over the playa. The metal was also too weak to handle the torque I needed to hold it tight (i.e. distorted and bent...which then made it even looser!)




I tend to be pushing pretty hard against the foot peg when going fast and the backrest is what holds me in place.

Also, I found that I turn in the seat when I put the kite behind me. I use the backrest as a brace.

If you have not seen this video yet watch it and you will get a kick out of just how poorly the kite trailer worked. Lots of pics of a PVC backrest and if you watch to the end, listen for the noise that I could not pinpoint until I stopped and saw that the PVC backrest was rubbing on my tire.

I like to think like T. Edison and celebrate the catastrophic failures with the mindset of "well, I know that does not work!"


The Kee Klamo, although expensive ($50 for the two. Since shipping is typically $15) they are solid! Be careful with the sizes since they are based on metal pipes, not normal ID/OD. I bought the wrong size (see pics) and had to buy the smaller version. The one on my Libre is "16-5" the one in the pic is "16-6". I bought from "Industrial Products".



Paul

Yeah I noticed they aren't cheap, buy necessary. I'm assuming you got the "t" version. I've kind of been looking for something I can clamp around the buggy tubing for ease of installation instead of taking off my rear axle and sliding then over the end of the tubing but I'm sure the latter would be preferred. I'm assuming yours slides over the end of it ?
Yeah I have a PVC one that came with the buggy. While it is very comfy, I've kind of destroyed it while learning lol something more permanent would be worth the money and the time. That should keep me rolling till I decide to drop the money on a new buggy from overseas since there don't seem to be any around here up for grabs.

Rtz - yeah that's kinda what I have now, with the exception of the hose clamps. Rick did a really nice job of making it before I bought buggy from him. The first day I was moving in the buggy the kite got behind me a couple of times and flipped the buggy over cause I just wouldn't let go, haha. Anyway that cracked the PVC so a steel one I think will hold up better to my abusiveness. If you looked at my buggy now you'd think I was drunk driving. Last week I slammed into a piece of driftwood and bent my rear axle bolt and the bearing spacer ! Good times. Anyway those parts are ordered now, thank you A Wind of Change and Fastenal.

I'd like to see a picture of the bent/broken stuff!
Paul

i run w/ a pvc backrest
i found pool noodles don't hold up well and am on to roll bar padding...its much thicker and somewhat denser
i use goop to glue it in place so the thickest part stays where its needed...then i zip tie it for good measure
i have a bunch of 12m bent bolts as well...u can't tell much looking at them, but the wheels look like Wimpy
was driving for a burger in his jalopy...or something like that

Like the video Pail, glad there was some beer in there and not just water ! I bet it didn't stay cool for long.

Abkayak, what size PVC ?

Yesterday I finished the backrest by adding the covering.




I had great success with the black sports bandage when I was in the desert for a week. It got dusty, but did not unravel or look any worse for wear.

Since I needed to reduce the height of the backrest 1.5 inches, I removed and replaced the covering. I searched three places and was not able to find black so I used red instead. It is 3" in width and 5 meters long for $5 per roll. I could have done it with one roll but I wanted an overlap of 1/2 the width.

I really like this self-adhesive (ie it sticks to itself) sports wrap. It is stretchy and sticks really well to itself. A great way to cover those foam noodles.

A backrest for is made to brace myself to the max:
when i do an upwind to fast i can brace so much that the buggy sticks like gum,
and my 'normal' kitebuggy and the crabbuggy weighs both approx 67kg
so for me to make a backrest of PVC...? not in this life!

only when you use it to just lean with your helmet is you drive a real layback buggy than maybe..