Bike Trailers

Shankford said:

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for a trailer for my bike - nothing too big just something
to move small items around in, also I dont want to pay too much for it.

I've found this one on the Raleigh site:
http://www.raleighbikes.com/pandaproductdetails.aspx?ID=6421 which
judging from the photo is about the size I'm after.

Could anyone advise any more? I.e are there specific things I should be
looking for - such as how it attaches to the bike etc.

Thanks for any help

That looks a lot like a (re badged?) Phillips Mule. I have one - and
it's certainly serving me well. It was a present, but AFAIK it was about
£80 from the LBS.

I've just returned from a typical ride out with it - I took some wine
bottles (not saying how many :-p), jars and newspapers over to recycling
about 10 miles away and returned with a full weeks shopping from the
supermarket.

I found I needed to add a kick stand to the bike I use for hauling, just
to make things a bit more practical.

I'd imagine, although I have no direct experience, a two wheeled trailer
might be more practical for utility haulage compared to a single wheeled
trailer.

Chris

Chris Smith said:

I'd imagine, although I have no direct experience, a two wheeled trailer
might be more practical for utility haulage compared to a single wheeled
trailer.

Yeah Good Point.

The most common load will be a 5 Litre watering device as well as the
weekly shop. (Although not at the same time!)

I thought the 2 wheeled version would be better as on a previous bike I
had a box secured over the back wheel, and whilst it was good for light
loads, when something heavier when it it would make the whole lot
unstable, and I assume a 1 wheeled trailer would be similar, altough not
so bad due to where it is located.

Its thanks to vandals I'm having to get one of these as I'd previously
leave all my stuff in a Cupboard at the station, but now after they've
broken in (again) and had fun vandalising everything thats no longer an
option.

Just out of interest, how easy is it to attach/detach to a bike?
I have a "standard" 26" Wheel 23" Frame bike with no fancy suspension,
strange shaped frames or disc brakes to get in the way.

Shankford said:

Just out of interest, how easy is it to attach/detach to a bike?
I have a "standard" 26" Wheel 23" Frame bike with no fancy suspension,
strange shaped frames or disc brakes to get in the way.

Like this (a picture's worth a thousand words):
http://www.ivy-house.net/images/clamp.jpg

Easy Peasy clamp to the nearside chain-stay with a backup strap so you
don't leave the trailer behind if the clamp fails/comes undone/falls
off. The spring is a really strong one and is in-line between you on the
bike and the trailer - it damps a lot of the surging you might otherwise
get.

HTH

Cheers
Chris

Shankford said:

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for a trailer for my bike - nothing too big just something
to move small items around in, also I dont want to pay too much for it.

I've found this one on the Raleigh site:
http://www.raleighbikes.com/pandaproductdetails.aspx?ID=6421 which
judging from the photo is about the size I'm after.

Could anyone advise any more? I.e are there specific things I should be
looking for - such as how it attaches to the bike etc.

There is a good list of trailers at;
http://www.atob.org.uk/trailer_price_tag.html

I presently use a Vitelli as at:
http://www.swissfunrent.com/de/trailer/vitelli_camper.php?navid=34

It is rather expensive, but worth it I believe, and I tow it easily behind
machines as diverse as a recumbent trike and a Brompton.

I'd advise a two wheel trailer unless you intend going off road, as
parking can be easier. Beware cheap plastc wheels as they can rattle.
Make sure the attachment is easy to use. Weber hitches are good - a simple
push in and click. Some trailers require a permanent attachment to the
bike. If you choose one of these and want to use more than one bike make
sure addition hitch attachments are available.
A low bed - preferably below axle level will aid stability.

Once you have a trailer, you won't know how you managed without one.

John B

John B said:

I presently use a Vitelli as at:
http://www.swissfunrent.com/de/trailer/vitelli_camper.php?navid=34

It is rather expensive, but worth it I believe, and I tow it easily behind
machines as diverse as a recumbent trike and a Brompton.

I have never regretted money spent on a good trailer. Well worth
gettign the best you can afford if you are going to use it regularly.

Quoted message said:

Once you have a trailer, you won't know how you managed without one.

Once you have two trailers, you won't know how you managed with only
one..

...d

i artikel [email hidden], skrev
Shankford på localhost@[127.0.0.1] den 06-05-14 13.05:

Quoted message said:

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for a trailer for my bike - nothing too big just something
to move small items around in, also I dont want to pay too much for it.

I've found this one on the Raleigh site:
http://www.raleighbikes.com/pandaproductdetails.aspx?ID=6421 which
judging from the photo is about the size I'm after.

Could anyone advise any more? I.e are there specific things I should be
looking for - such as how it attaches to the bike etc.

Looks sensible. The fabric sides are apparently more for holding the trailer
together, than for holding the contents in place. One guy loaded his up with
stuff, and the fabric bulged and touched the wheel. So you might need a firm
box or something to stop that from happening, if it's an issue with the
stuff you're carrying.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BromptonTalk/message/27819

--
Erik Sandblom
my site is EriksRailNews.com
for those who don't believe, no explanation is possible
for those who do, no explanation is necessary

i artikel [email hidden], skrev Chris Smith på
[email hidden] den 06-05-14 17.19:

Quoted message said:

Shankford said:

Just out of interest, how easy is it to attach/detach to a bike?
I have a "standard" 26" Wheel 23" Frame bike with no fancy suspension,
strange shaped frames or disc brakes to get in the way.

Like this (a picture's worth a thousand words):
http://www.ivy-house.net/images/clamp.jpg

Easy Peasy clamp to the nearside chain-stay with a backup strap so you
don't leave the trailer behind if the clamp fails/comes undone/falls
off. The spring is a really strong one and is in-line between you on the
bike and the trailer - it damps a lot of the surging you might otherwise
get.

A friend had a hitch like that. With a heavy load, say 30kg, the spring
would go boingy boingy, pushing and pulling at the bike. This one looks
firmer, but it might be something to keep in mind.

There was a recent thread in this group about trailers:
<http://groups.google.com/group/uk.rec.cycling/browse_thread/thread/19d9e992
7c4281e9/3d60867819de5456>

And there was another which debated one wheel or two.
<http://groups.google.com/group/uk.rec.cycling/browse_thread/thread/471b6f72
2275a916>

I've never used a trailer before, so don't ascribe me omniscience...

--
Erik Sandblom
my site is EriksRailNews.com
for those who don't believe, no explanation is possible
for those who do, no explanation is necessary

Erik Sandblom said:

Looks sensible. The fabric sides are apparently more for holding the trailer
together, than for holding the contents in place. One guy loaded his up with
stuff, and the fabric bulged and touched the wheel. So you might need a firm
box or something to stop that from happening, if it's an issue with the
stuff you're carrying.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BromptonTalk/message/27819

I would agree with that - I always use boxes inside the fabric; it's not
structural at all.

Chris

Chris Smith said:

Like this (a picture's worth a thousand words):
http://www.ivy-house.net/images/clamp.jpg

Easy Peasy clamp to the nearside chain-stay with a backup strap so you
don't leave the trailer behind if the clamp fails/comes undone/falls
off. The spring is a really strong one and is in-line between you on the
bike and the trailer - it damps a lot of the surging you might otherwise
get.

What is the load rating? I am Not Pleased with the Weber axle mount
hitch - it semes to delight in loosening the q/r for the rear wheel,
then spins around and really gives a lot of surging. However, I am
carrying substantial loads. The best ones IMHO are those that clamp
between seat and chain stay for the following reasons:

It cannot turn on the chainstay
It cannot slide forward/back on the fixing.

So I will be adapting the hitch I have to fit on such a contraption,
possibly getting a decent prop stand first. The nicest one I have used
is the Winther one which is cast alloy rather than pressed steel. It
has no flex and takes an ESGE under the chainstay bridge type
propstand. Very solid indeed. No flex when propping up a touring bike
fully loaded or loading a large child into the child seat.

In fact, it is so good I might buy one just to use as a propstand after
I get rid of the child trailer.

...d

David Martin said:

Chris Smith said:

Like this (a picture's worth a thousand words):
http://www.ivy-house.net/images/clamp.jpg

Easy Peasy clamp to the nearside chain-stay with a backup strap so you
don't leave the trailer behind if the clamp fails/comes undone/falls
off. The spring is a really strong one and is in-line between you on the
bike and the trailer - it damps a lot of the surging you might otherwise
get.

What is the load rating? I am Not Pleased with the Weber axle mount
hitch - it semes to delight in loosening the q/r for the rear wheel,
then spins around and really gives a lot of surging.

I've the weber QR axle hitch on ny reserve bike, and it's been fine
with my load, about 50kg of kids&trailer, pulling through snow. There
should be a shaped washer that sits in the drop-out and engages with a
2nd washer, which should prevent any movement like describe (and also
a small wire loop as a safety retention). All present and correct?

The main bike has the weber chainstay/seatstay clamp-on, with the
sidestand: pulls that 50kg up and down hills, 100miles a week, no probs.

sothach said:

I've the weber QR axle hitch on ny reserve bike, and it's been fine
with my load, about 50kg of kids&trailer, pulling through snow. There
should be a shaped washer that sits in the drop-out and engages with a
2nd washer, which should prevent any movement like describe (and also
a small wire loop as a safety retention). All present and correct?

Yes, apart from the wire safety loop as it does not fit. The shaped
washer slots into the dropout just fine, it is the interaction between
the washer and the hitch that is the problem, especially as the q/r
becomes loose.

Quoted message said:

The main bike has the weber chainstay/seatstay clamp-on, with the
sidestand: pulls that 50kg up and down hills, 100miles a week, no probs.

I am tempted to get that. It seems much better (and I need a new
kickstand).

...d

Chris Smith said:

I would agree with that - I always use boxes inside the fabric; it's not
structural at all.

Thanks to you and everyone who replied regarding trailers.

I purchased a Mule from the Local Bike Shop today and have already done
multiple trips between my new base for my stuff (my garage) and the
vandalised old cupboard at Station.

With what will be my most common load (tools/rubbish collector/Watering
device) its not obvious that I'm towing anything, no feeling of extra
weight or anything.

I don't think the fabric sides will be a problem, but I have a large
wooden board I can cut down and fit in the sides should it be needed.

Doing my "proper" job tomorrow which results in me taking a small fold
up bike on the train, its gonna feel weird riding that after just
returning from the station with around 25kg of stuff in tow!