Significantly reduced friction: iglidur® plain bearing in foldable trailer

The "Tyligo" trailer can be used to transport everything from bicycles and motorbikes to jet skis. The trailer is foldable and can therefore be stowed compactly. The reliable folding mechanism is made possible by iglidur® G plain bearings and thrust washers.

• What was needed: Bearings and thrust washers made from iglidur® G
• Requirements: Low friction with frequent folding and unfolding of the trailer; Long service life; Completely lubrication-free bearing
• Industry: Trailer, automotive
• Success for the customer: The iglidur® G-bearing enables the easy and maintenance-free realisation of the folding trailer thanks to the absence of lubricants.

MBP Concepts Ltd is a product design company developing the 'Tyligo', an innovative multi-purpose and folding trailer for the towing transport market. From motorbikes to camping equipment, jet skis to bicycles, small boats to kayaks and much more, the Tyligo trailer covers every niche of the market thanks to a range of sizes and accessories that can be fitted to it depending on the user's needs. After use, Tyligo can be folded up to be pulled through a door or stored in a shed or garage.
The Tyligo trailer required a maintenance-free bearing solution to enable an easy folding mechanism. Due to the load limit of 500kg, it was also important to find a durable and user-friendly solution. As the trailer is made of steel, MBP Concepts opted for a stainless steel centre beam, which offers good friction properties with a dry plain bearing.

The built-in bearing for folding the trailer and the installation points can be easily explained using the Tyligo Premium. Two different bearing categories were used here. Firstly, an iglidur ® G bearing with a diameter of 50 mm was installed, which slides on the central main beam. In addition, 16 iglidur ® G thrust washers (32 mm diameter, 4 on each arm) are used, which significantly reduce the friction of the steel construction of the trailer during folding for storage. In addition, iglidur® G thrust washers with a diameter of 12 mm were used at two rod ends. The product was first exhibited in its motorbike configuration at the MCN Motorcycle Show at the Excel Centre in London and won the Shell LiveWIRE Grand Ideas Award.