Introducing the aerodynamic companion that changes everything - a building block for the mobility transition
Dear readers,
Eggoert Bulk and I have built a trailer that I would ike to introduce here.
The starting point was to build a velomobile trailer that is suitable for speed, has a solar surface that significantly extends the range of pedelec drives and enables a very large payload. Compactness, modular expandability, self-supporting body and good aerodynamics were also part of the specifications. A large Euronorm crate should fit and at the same time time the trailer should be very light.
Why even thinking about building a trailer for velomobiles?
Velomobiles don’t actually need a trailer because they inherently have enormous loading capacities. And their payload doesn’t even affect their aerodynamics.
Even though you can transport an enormous amount of luggage and goods with velomobiles, there are also many cases where large objects or simply the amount of goods being transported exceed these capacities.
Year-round weather protection
The future of mobility starts here
Why a velomobile?
And: Velomobiles offer excellent year-round weather protection that open bicycles do not offer. That’s why velomobiles are very suitable for replacing a car. Most car journeys take place with just one person and little luggage and could easily be replaced by a velomobile journey. Our trailer has a large loading capacity and can therefore further increase the amount of car journeys that can be replaced.
With regard to the design of velomobiles, the trailer allows for flexible upgrading of the options for the velomobile. This means you can stick with a light and fast basic vehicle (which is probably very important to the majority of velomobile drivers) and still carry out the rather rare missions with a lot of transported goods.
And: The Bülk Basecamp’s enclosed wheels offer more than just an aerodynamic advantage: the integrated wheel wells allow the wheels to be mounted in two different positions using a quick-release lever: one position for velomobile operation with very low ground clearance and high driving stability, and the other with high ground clearance for use as a touring trailer with a towing harness. This extends the range deep into rough terrain.
The basic idea here is the idea that the mobility of the future can only take place in a sensible and resource-saving manner if the weight ratio of the goods to be transported and the means of transport can be flexibly optimized and an optimal means is available for every purpose. Mobility of the future is made up of a number of building blocks and our trailer should be a building block in this overall structure.
With regard to the design of velomobiles, the trailer allows for flexible upgrading of the options for
the velomobile. This means you can stick with a light and fast basic vehicle (which is probably very
important to the majority of velomobile drivers) and still carry out the rather rare missions with a lot
of transported goods.
The basic idea here is the idea that the mobility of the future can only take place in a sensible and
resource-saving manner if the weight ratio of the goods to be transported and the means of
transport can be flexibly optimized and an optimal means is available for every purpose. Mobility of
the future is made up of a number of building blocks and our trailer should be a building block in this
overall structure.
Eggert's master model from the printer
Set of molds and first product as a prototype
Low-center of gravity
The velomobile has an extremely low center of gravity and is therefore practically impossible to overturn. Initial test drives have shown that the trailer is very stable when cornering and at top speed. My initial fear that the trailer would jump unloaded was in no way confirmed. So I converted the 50 mm tires back to Conti-Urban 32mm and there are no hopping problems with that either.
Holiday XXL - 39.6 kg of luggage, an unpacked trailer load
Rolling and air resistance are surprinsingly low. They reduce my average speed by about 4,6 kmh (with an average speed of about 33 kmh).
Weight – aprox. 6 kg.
Storage space – aprox. 230 L
Material – carbon fiber and glass fiber reinforced with epoxy
The Bulk Basecamp trailer will be exclusively produced and sold by Velomobile World and its dealer network.
Stay curious! Thank you
Watch our first video featuring this special velomobile trailer!
