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RSW:
No, the solid type carriers as shown in the eBay advertisement work beautifully for two-wheelers, but the geometries of our trikes require a carrier that is hinged horizontally to keep stress from being generated in the front wheel/steering neck areas when turning corners. Since this is not a new subject to this trike forum, perhaps someone can refer us to a better explanation, or maybe even a diagram or two to better explain the problems encountered.
Try this - set the front forks of your trike perfectly straight (front wheel will be perfectly vertical). Now turn the forks full-lock to the left and you''ll see that the front wheel leans quite a bit into the turning direction. The solid tow bars make a trike turn like that but try to hold the wheel perfectly vertical, therein making significant strain on the neck. Yes there are some of them out there on the road, but it's just a matter of time until they have some major problems such as broken or bent-spoke wheels, cracked frame necks, etc.
This is not a new subject in the trike forum(s) and is something that should be avoided when selecting a tow bar. Look for one that has a horizontal hinge, or uses a regular ball receiver. Plus it would ideally attach to the trike frame at the back end to take all strain off the neck area.
Bob Witte: I understand your concept - sounds like a viable solution for towing. I only recommend that you include some mechanism in your design to protect against the front end of the trike raising up in the case of a panic stop. I learned that little lesson the hard way when my trike come up and nearly kissed my SUV rear window in a quick stop. I look at using a simple ball hitch coupler to work as a universal joint for my towbar designs - simple and cheap.
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