Author Topic: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice  (Read 9069 times)

dinko628

  • Guest
Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« on: March 06, 2012, 03:37:58 PM »
Hi all,


I know there's been a handful of discussion on biking and whatnot around the forums (naturally), but I couldn't find any particular place for recommendations on bike trailers. I'm considering going completely car-free (at least temporarily - I have lots of friends for group trips, and everything I do is within 6 miles from home, but I'd like to have a car around in case I need something/the weather is bad).


I figured we could do it in a few categories:
  • Cheapest
  • Biggest
  • Most Rugged/Durable
  • Easiest-to-use
  • Best Quality/Overall
I've been looking at a bunch on Craigslist but I'm a little worried about size. My biggest personal limitation is that I play hockey 1-2 times/week in a league, so I'd need to be able to tote my entire hockey bag with me (~26"x~16"x~14" + 2 sticks). Thoughts?

velocistar237

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1424
  • Location: Metro Boston
Re: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2012, 06:18:09 PM »
Would you be open to building one? There are a many DIY bike trailer instruction sets online. You could tailor a design to your needs.

sol

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8433
  • Age: 47
  • Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2012, 09:50:43 PM »
They crop up on CL regularly around here.  I'd keep my eyes open for one under $100 that will fit whatever swag you have planned for it, and not worry too much about the durability or ease of use issues.  Those can be fixed.

dinko628

  • Guest
Re: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2012, 09:53:10 PM »
I have no qualms to DIY/DIY kits, but I don't have any power tools here, so it'd have to be something pretty straightforward. I was figuring more things like child trailers that either work well and/or are easily repurpose-able (I won't be having kids anytime soon, so I'd be more than happy to buy a kids' trailer and cut the straps/back-of-the-seat part out of it so I have a larger area to store stuff.

redeyedtreefr0g

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 45
Re: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2012, 11:14:18 PM »
You may not even have to damage a child trailer to get a perfectly useful cargo area out of it. I began dragging the bare metal bones of a trailer around during my lunch-break rides, figuring I'd get used to the drag and increased weight before trying to haul my dogs around in it, which was the ultimate purpose I wanted it for.

The mechanics had someone they knew with an unused children's trailer sitting in a garage somewhere, still in its box! They gave it to me, and it is even green, my favorite color. So I have a child trailer in mint condition, but no child.

Anyway, I love this thing, I use it for taking recycling to the grocery store, and once for a family bike ride. It is very easy to lay down the seatback by removing two screws with little plastic brackets. I can now slide the seatback off the top horizontal bar which holds it (and locks the sides of the trailer securely apart) and use the entire space inside the trailer.

I would like to add some sort of floor to mine. Perhaps a scrap of carpet would do the trick for dogs, but not any heavy cargo,  think. I regularly see trailers on craigslist for fairly cheap. You might even find a bare-bones one that you can then build up how you like. The one I originally got was $5. I like my new one though, just in case I decide to have a family someday.

Good luck!

Treechunk

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 6
Re: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2012, 11:25:46 PM »
Craigslist is probably your best bet if you don't have power tools and you want cheap.   


If you're looking for maximum load bearing capacity, http://bikesatwork.com/ will haul even more than the 300 pound rating, and comes in various sizes for various size loads.  I've used one to move objects such as a queen size mattress and box spring, a couch or two, etc.  Tends to be sorta heavy because it's designed with maximum capacity in mind.

http://www.bobgear.com/yak probably wouldn't be big enough for your hockey equipment but is by far the fastest trailer I've ever hauled with.  It also fits through traffic very well and is very lightweight.

My current trailer was built for me by a friend and has carried about 300 pounds many times, so don't think that just because it's home made it can't be just as strong or stronger than commercially available models.  If you're building your own, however, do some research on hitch designs, some work well, and some DO NOT.

Mike Key

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 247
  • Age: 41
  • Location: Nomadic
  • Entrepreneur & Adventure Seeker
    • Tiny House - Big Backyard
Re: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2012, 04:54:15 AM »
Those kiddie trailers don't look like they'd do well for hauling heavy large things, which has also bothered me. It looks like from MMM's post he has one of the kiddie trailers.

I just purchased and installed this: http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-63107030-Explorer-Bike-Rack/dp/B000FIE3WI/ref=pd_sim_sg_17

On the back of my bike yesterday because I have two different size crates, for small grocery trips.

But for when we go to buy bulk items I've been eye balling this trailer: http://www.amazon.com/Aosom-Bicycle-Cargo-Trailer-yellow-Black/dp/B0029KBA26/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331120981&sr=8-3

Now that looks like a real legitimate trailer IMO. I want something I can put a few cases of water in the bottom. What I like about that trailer is the solid metall bottom and that the walls can technically be removed, so I could in theory go to say home depot and strap some wood to that sucker.

Anyways, I've thought about the DIY route, but for $119 I might end up paying the same DIY in supplies.

So there is my suggestion for ya! I'd get a rack for carrying sometimes and a trailer for those other times!

velocistar237

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1424
  • Location: Metro Boston
Re: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2012, 06:12:24 AM »
In terms of DIY, a lot of online instructions require welding, but it looks like this one doesn't. You would need to borrow a drill, though.

You could put out a wanted ad for a child's trailer in bad condition. You really just want the frame, so maybe you could get a broken one for cheap?

Mike Key

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 247
  • Age: 41
  • Location: Nomadic
  • Entrepreneur & Adventure Seeker
    • Tiny House - Big Backyard
Re: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2012, 07:41:21 AM »
Nice find Velocistart237!

C40

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 90
Re: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2012, 07:32:25 PM »
The kiddie trailers will be available for free or very cheap as people want to get rid of them once their children are able to ride themselves. They're going to work well, except maybe if you're trying to carry very large items.

One of my bike racing team mates (an extremely thoughtful guy who is very frugal) uses one that he got for free from a trash pile or something similar. He'd ride to races sometimes with it, using it to carry his race wheels, tool box, etc..

Rich M

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 191
  • Location: Boulder, CO
  • Fortune Kookie
Re: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« Reply #10 on: March 07, 2012, 09:16:46 PM »
I looked into this, and my vote is the cheapest.  But it depends on if you want to carry groceries or building materials.....plus easiest to attach and take off the bike gets my vote.  A quick release type.  I say find one on Craigslist. 

I looked at the plans online to build one and it seemed the materials came out to more than a family trying to get rid of one on Craigslist.  I have seen them for $25 sometimes.

That said, I have been too slow to grab one.  I still keep carrying stuff in my pack, but the bonus is, it's saves, me cash because I can't carry extra stuff like I could with a trailer on a trip to the store.


highwayskies

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 40
  • Age: 46
  • Location: CT
Re: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« Reply #11 on: February 25, 2014, 09:14:00 AM »
I have a lock for my bicycle, but having not done this before... what would you do with a bike trailer while in the store?  Is security an issue?

MayDay

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4952
Re: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2014, 10:17:14 AM »
I have a lock for my bicycle, but having not done this before... what would you do with a bike trailer while in the store?  Is security an issue?

I have a really expensive child trailer (chariot, happy to discuss if anyone is looking for a child trailer) and have never had a problem.  I try to keep an extra padlock in the trunk of the trailer, and loop if around/through the trailer to lock it up.  Someone could fairly easily cut through the fabric parts and get the trailer loose, but I figure that would be conspicuous, so hopefully no one decides to try it!  And so far it has been fine. 

My trailer now sells for 750$ new, and I am debating selling it (no bites for 500$ on CL) and buying a super cheap one for cargo as the kids are out of the trailer now.  Tying to decide how cheap I am willing to sell the Chariot for, or if I should just keep it. 

highwayskies

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 40
  • Age: 46
  • Location: CT
Re: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« Reply #13 on: February 25, 2014, 12:04:13 PM »
Good to hear, thanks!

Thegoblinchief

  • Guest
Re: Bike Trailer: Mustachian's Choice
« Reply #14 on: February 25, 2014, 01:43:33 PM »
Not sure what model I have, but I have a two-seat Burley kids trailer with hard plastic body and aluminum chassis. Thing is built like a tank. I've had over 250 pounds of kids and gear in it.

I have 3 kids and too many rides/errands are way past the older kids' biking range, but as far as I know, no commercially made trailer is available that fits so many kids.

If I built my own trailer, what do people use for wheels/hubs/axles?