Transporting 100+ pounds

Within the next few weeks, I'm getting a new band saw. I looked up the weight, and it's listed at 160lbs. Dang! My rear rack is limited to 88lbs(and I've held 65lbs or so on it).

I've been looking over some rear cargo trailers and was wondering if anyone had any opinions on what works best for them. I've never used a trailer on a bike before. I don't have quick release tires on my LHT either, but I could swap the skewer back out for temporary use. Ideally I would love something that holds 200lbs, but a little less is fine. There's one that I've been looking at that is about $90 that will take 180lbs.

Any other great, bike-friendly ways that you transport something large?

Second option is using the $30 in Lyft credit that I have, but I know I'll use the trailer all the time.

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Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on April 16, 2014 at 4:52am

Great! I have to post a photo in there now...

Julie Hochstadter said:

Meant to share this old thread yesterday - http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/she-had-the-weight-of-the

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on April 16, 2014 at 4:52am

I rode Anika and Mike's madsen at last Saturday's womens event.  It fit me and I'm in love with it now...

Well that and the Linus and Tern from Rapid Transit...  

And Levi's small framed Legacy Frameworks bike fit me, I actually had to raise the seat! (no pic to included of that one)

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on April 16, 2014 at 12:35pm

I stopped in @ Boulevard Bikes today. They had a few trailers in stock and also suggested that the Bikes at Work Trailers would be best. They offer a medium as a rental for $15 a day.

Permalink Reply by Eric Holm on April 18, 2014 at 4:14am
I have a bullitt cargo bike that could handle it quite easily.
Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on May 19, 2014 at 2:10am

Just thought I would share what I ended up going with...

Carry Freedom - The Y Large

It has a carrying capacity of 90kg/198lbs. It's also got additional parts that you can purchase to extend it or modify it to do carry other items. The trailer itself is very solid. The bed is pressed plywood, 12mm. The wood reminds me of skateboard deck because the top of the bed is layered with grip tape. There are four holes around the bed. One in the middle of each side. The tires are quick release, all you do is press the outside button and it releases the bearings. The hitch is a very simple but well designed piece, nothing but steel and elastomer. The pinhole is just large enough for a small lock that I have to fit through, making me feel slightly better if I have to leave it outside for more than a minute.


I took it on a ride around the block as a test run, seeing how I had never used a trailer, and it handled very well. After that, I figured it was time to get the big load. My new band saw. 160lbs. Pictures are attached.

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on May 19, 2014 at 2:12am

Does anyone have any great tips on securing trailers? I've thought about breaking down the entire thing and u-locking it to my bike, but aside from that...just curious what others do.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on May 19, 2014 at 2:54am

Very nice trailer!  If you have quick release wheels, those should be locked down somehow so they don't get stolen.  Speaking of which, I noticed in the carryfreedom.com link you posted: "Attention: When using the trailer with quick release the maximum load is reduced to 50 kg."  (110 pounds)  You may have exceeded the rated capacity by 50 pounds with your new saw.  But if the wheels didn't pop off in transit, I guess you're ok.

Jaik - 4.3mi said:

Does anyone have any great tips on securing trailers? I've thought about breaking down the entire thing and u-locking it to my bike, but aside from that...just curious what others do.

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on May 19, 2014 at 3:11am


Ooops! I guess now I know that for the future...but I will always know that I can hold 160lbs and do just fine...Chances are that is the heaviest thing that I'll be carrying for a bit...Next big item is lumber...


Thunder Snow said:

I noticed in the carryfreedom.com link you posted: "Attention: When using the trailer with quick release the maximum load is reduced to 50 kg."  (110 pounds)  You may have exceeded the rated capacity by 50 pounds with your new saw.  But if the wheels didn't pop off in transit, I guess you're ok.

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on May 19, 2014 at 4:11am

I found this one by searching online for "carrying heavy loads on bike trailer". After looking over around 20 different trailers, reading reviews, and trying to figure out which one would best suit my needs, this one fit the best.

My second choice was from bikes at work. The reason I liked their trailers is that if something breaks, you buy a new part. If something breaks on welded trailer, you have to reweld it. Mine is welded. I had discussed this with a few people, and the topic came up about safety regulations and carrying capacity. We came to the conclusion that most trailers put a lower capacity weight because of legality issues so that they don't have to replace it if something breaks when you're carrying the "intended weight". I'm guessing that this trailer may hold around 250lbs if it didn't have quick release wheels, but I doubt that I'll carry that to try it out.

The bed isn't level because of the hitch being high on the bike. I'm sure if I find a longer L bracket, it will be level. I emailed the company asking about them. 


h' 1.0 said:

Jaik, how did you find/choose this one?

 Any idea why the bed is not level? I can't imagine it's intended to be tilted.

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on May 19, 2014 at 6:35am

I was out taking a laptop over to a friend during lunch and looked a little closer at the hitch...Very intelligent design. It turns out that I can unscrew the pin and reverse it to extend it another inch or two. I'll see how that works out when I get home and have the trailer.

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on May 19, 2014 at 7:04am

Did you mail order this trailer? Or did find it locally?

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on May 19, 2014 at 7:12am

Had to order it from ChainReactonCycles because I couldn't find a local retailer that carried it. Ordered it on the 12th and it was delivered on the 17th...free shipping.

I ordered the Large, they also have a small, and a city trailer. The city trailer is more of a frame, but still looks pretty stable.

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