Trailers & Sleds

Without cars, buses, subways and streetcars, all transportation will be up to individuals as human-powered or animal-pulled modes of transport. Able people with only themselves or with light cargo to carry, walking and cycling are obvious choices. However, once there is more weight involved, such as in carrying heavy cargo, or one or more passengers, and in snowy conditions, other options are needed. These include building trailers and rickshaws, using horses and dogs, plus skis and snowshoes for treading snow in greater distances.


7:1) TRAILERS & SLEDS

Using the skills of mechanics, carpenters and engineers, a wide variety of trailers and sleds can be built using spare parts and scrap materials. Below are some ideas for modifying bicycles and building trailers and sleds for various purposes, which can be adapted with wheels or with skis for use either on the road or on snow.

[ illustrations to come ]
Dog sled; rickshaw; bicycle trailer (2 designs); bamboo trailer (water carrier & basic structure); horse-pulled large cargo trailer on wheels; dog-pulled small cargo trailer


7:1:i) USES FOR TRAILERS & SLEDS

HUMAN-POWERED
- wheeled trailers and ski sleds: transport water, food, materials, supplies, one to two children, one adult (ie. injured, deceased)

DOG-PULLED
- wheeled trailers and ski sleds: transport small cargo including water, food, materials and supplies
- multiple-dog pulls: one two adults (ie. injured, deceased), larger cargo

HORSE-PULLED
- multi-passenger carriers (ski sled or wheeled trailer), large water containers, lumber, building supplies and large cargo of materials and supplies

Read the next section, Winter Travel...

Winter Travel

Traveling throughout the city in winter is not unlike the rest of the year except for having to dress very warmly, in breatheable fabrics for the traveller and extra blankets for passengers. Walking and bicycling are possible all year round. In cases of heavy snowfall, skis and snowshoes are recommended. For transporting cargo or passengers, sleds or trailers must be built to be attachable to a bicycle or traveller’s waist by harness.


7:2:i) MAKING SNOWSHOES

Some found materials can make excellent snow walking aids, including squash rackets and PVC piping. If using squash rackets, remove strings and re-thread using thicker string like plastic rope (that won’t stretch) or strips of hide. Alternately, line the existing strings with a sheet of plastic (like from tarp, tents or raincoats) cut to shape, and this will be the underside of the snowshoe. Attach a toe hold and it’s ready. If using PVC piping, carefully heat the pipe to bend to the shape below, and stitch a liner of plastic (tarp, etc) plus a toe hold.


Read the next section, On Maintenance & Repair...

On Maintenance & Repair

Building and maintaining bicycles, carriers and sleds will be an ongoing need. Communities should gather mechanics, engineers, carpenters and bicycle repair experts to aid in this task. Horses must be taken care of and fed, cleaned and housed properly in converted garage sheds, as must dogs groomed for the task of pulling cargo.

[ some bicycle maintenance & repair instructions to come ]


Read the next section, Crosstown Communication...