Bike Trailer Lending Program Ideas

I'm trying to get a bike trailer lending program started. I will soon be organizing a meeting, but thought I'd also seek feedback here. The basic idea is to somehow aquire a trailer and make it available to others to borrow. We are located in a building with 24/7 front desk staffing which would make it great for lending the trailer. Here are some of the things I need feedback on:
Is a program of this type needed?
All-you-can use membership or per-use fees?
We need to charge to cover costs of maintaining/purchasing trailers, what is a reasonable amount?
Types of trailers that would be most useful (heavy duty, grocery, kids?)
Suggestions on where to buy/find a trailer
One hitch that transfers between bikes, or multiple cheaper hitches that we can give out with memberships (if we go that route).
Experiences you've had with different brands/homemade rigs
How do we ensure the trailer comes back (and in one piece)?
Ideas for a reservation system?
Any other advice you have?
Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Dubi Kaufmann on July 13, 2009 at 10:46am
I would not pay more than 35$ for a day (24 hours)

I am looking to borrow or rent a trailer next Sunday for a ride i am organizing. Any ideas?
Permalink Reply by Chuck a Muck on July 13, 2009 at 1:35pm
You could talk to Alex at west town bikes. They rent out trailers from time to time

Dubi Kaufmann said:
I would not pay more than 35$ for a day (24 hours)

I am looking to borrow or rent a trailer next Sunday for a ride i am organizing. Any ideas?
Permalink Reply by Duppie on July 13, 2009 at 2:49pm
A few thoughts.
I could see an occasional need (1-2 per year) for a trailer like thesewhen I need to haul really big stuff. Currently I would rent a car for these occasions. Given their price point not something I could justify owning.
We already own a Yak trailer so I wouldn't have a need for a grocery trailer, and we don't have any children so need for a kids trailer either. I would guess $20-$25 would be my max per day.
About your location: It needs to be somewhere central. If it is 5 miles from where I live, that means I'd have to add 20 miles just to pick up and return the trailer. That would make it less likely for people to use the service.
To ensure a complete return you could either go with a deposit or a credit card
Duppie
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on July 13, 2009 at 3:33pm
I think its a good idea for people who can't shell out the $200-$300 it costs for a nice trailer and don't have a drivers license. what about starting smalll and seeing where it goes? I just got a trailer and LOVE it. Great way to easilt haul heavy/bulky items.
Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on July 14, 2009 at 12:36am
Active Trans is working on a similar trailer check out program for our premium members that we hope will be available this fall. Will post updates and announcement when available.

Not a member? http://www.activetrans.org/membership and http://www.activetrans.org/membership/why-join

Ethan, with Active Trans
Permalink Reply by Bikefreeek on July 14, 2009 at 2:12am
West Town Bikes does have trailers that we lend out. Tzippy is taking the lead on this and can be contacted at tzippora@westtownbikes.org. You can check out more at loaded bikes. Right now to become a member you must buy a hitch ($35) and then you can arrange for checkout of a trailer.
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on July 17, 2009 at 9:37am
This is a great idea, evidenced by the fact that a few organizations in town are already doing it or planning to do it soon.

Dupie makes a good point on the location issue. iGo is an example of a great idea that I'll probably never get to participate in because of my habit of living as far from Lincoln/Wikkker Park as possible. (geographically and spiritually). So even though the service is already sort of available that is no reason not to pursue the idea.

I had a trailer for a while and I loved it. A Bell Double Wide. I only paid like... i fergit... $120 ?for it new - it wasn't the greatest, but it served my purposes well - and when I moved to a smaller place I sold it for $50 to a nice biker whose dog had a bum leg. So the idea of paying very much money to rent one does not sit well with me. I mean, if it cost $25 to rent the thing, I could buy one with the cost of five or eight rentals. So I guess I'm saying that I would probably not pay more than $20 a day to rent a trailer. Personally I would probably not use it enough to justify paying an annual membership, but I would consider paying a one time membership fee.

I don't planning on further wrecking the planet by breeding so if I were in the market to rent a trailer it would probably be for cargo purposes, not hauling kids around.

The model I had a wingnut tightened "universal" hitch thing which was pretty great. Nothing stays on the bike. It was easy for lots of different people with lots of different bikes to use the thing without much fuss or drama.
Permalink Reply by ambimb on April 26, 2012 at 5:46am

This discussion is a couple of years old but I'm looking for a trailer to use/rent. Are the options the same? Is loadedbikes.com probably the best bet? Thanks for any updates...

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on April 26, 2012 at 7:56am

West Town rents trailers I do no know the details.

Boulevard has one for rent I think it is 30ish/day

Rapid Transit has a Surly Bill for rent that will work on any bike with a quick release rear wheel as well as a Burly trailer for rent.  I think we get 25/day; or at least you will if you talk to me when you rent it...  Rapid is also in the midst of planning a 'cargo club' system where you buy a membership and get a certain amount of use per month... Anyone interested in that shoot me a message and we can talk about how you would like it to work; if you talk to us now you can help us make a program that works for you the end user!  We are thinking something a little like Zip Car but for bike trailers.

Permalink Reply by ambimb on April 26, 2012 at 9:23am

Brilliant! The Surly Bill is exactly what I need for this little task! I think the Cargo Club is a great idea, but I my cargo needs are not regular, so it paying on an as-needed basis would be more cost-effective for me. I just love that any option is available. The more things I can do by bike, the better. 

Permalink Reply by prof.gfr on April 26, 2012 at 10:26am

to anyone interested in sharing, as well as renting, you may want to give a try to www.ohsowe.com

It's a service to connect people locally who might be able to share items they use or need on an irregular basis.  I've seen people sharing and renting bike trailers on there, but it's only as good as the community of participants.  

Permalink Reply by ambimb on May 3, 2012 at 12:25am
FYI: I rented te Surly Bill trailer from Rapid Transit and it was perfect. The staff were great and the rental, hitching up, and return processes were fast and simple. The trailer is simply awesome an will haul just about anything you could strap down to it (up to 300 lbs, according to Surly). I took an old tv to recycling and it was a great urban adventure. If you ever have a need to haul something more than will fit on your bike, Rapid Transit is the place to go!

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