Author Topic: Bike trailer fix  (Read 5240 times)

tammyLav

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Bike trailer fix
« on: June 27, 2012, 01:32:12 PM »
I want to start using our bike trailer more, but the reason it got shelved was the hitch, which looks like http://www.amazon.com/InStep-Take-2-Double-BicycleTrailer/dp/B002QAVQ14/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

The strap didn't seem to hook up in a sturdy way to the bike, and made it hard to turn left. Are we hooking it up wrong? Is there a modification that anyone has made to make the connection more secure? Thanks!

* edited to add: we got it used so maybe it's missing a clip? It just didn't seem to hook on very well and we only ended up using it once.
« Last Edit: June 27, 2012, 01:44:34 PM by tammyLav »

TLV

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Re: Bike trailer fix
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2012, 02:09:32 PM »
I have a trailer almost exactly like that.

Take a look at this link: [uri]http://www.amazon.com/Coupler-Attachment-InStep-Schwinn-Trailers/dp/B0013TR66I[/uri]
The trailer should have come with the parts shown in the link. The black part should be put on your rear wheel axle, on the left side, going through the small hole on the black part. I typically leave the black part on my bike all the time, even when the trailer isn't hooked up. On the end of the trailer's bar that comes forward, there should be a flexible spring, followed by a cylinder with a hole going through it. You put the cylinder in the large hole of the black thing, and the hole going through it should line up with the hole going through the black thing. Then you put the silvery pin part all the way through at hole, and the curved attachment to the pin goes around and hooks over the end of the pin. This is quite secure - the strap is only a failsafe.

Let me know if this description isn't very clear - I can post some step-by-step pictures when I get home if need be.

tammyLav

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Re: Bike trailer fix
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2012, 02:16:18 PM »
No that should be good... I have to go climb up into the rafters of the garage to get the trailer... so I'll just take a closer look. I have a feeling we are missing a part...

* edited to read: Yep, missing the hitch components. Found them here:http://www.amazon.com/Michelin-Avenir-Bicycle-Trailer-Replacement/dp/B001V687DY/ref=pd_sbs_sg_4


That should take care of it right? Do I need a coupler (or is the item below something instead of the item above?) There are no hitch components currently, just the strap.
http://www.amazon.com/Coupler-Attachment-InStep-Schwinn-Trailers/dp/B0013TR66I/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_img_b
« Last Edit: June 27, 2012, 03:26:01 PM by tammyLav »

TLV

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Re: Bike trailer fix
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2012, 05:31:42 PM »
The coupler is the part that goes on the bike axle. The hitch component you linked to looks like it includes the coupler, so you don't have to order one separately.