Bike Trailers are the Shiz!

I'm stating the obvious here, but as a newbie bike trailer owner, I think bike trailers totally rock and I believe more people should try them.

I wanted a trailer for a long time, but never got one because I feared it would collect dust in my garage.

Now that I've had one about one month, I don't know how I lived without one...especially since I sold my car. I'm truly amazed at how much I use the thing to run errands.

The attached pic is from today's run to the Container Store. The trailer easily hauled three 20x48" shelves, two 60 inch-long mounting brackets, and several pounds of miscellaneous mounting hardware.

When I purchased these items, the cashier asked what kind of car I drove (so they could meet me outside and help me load). I enjoyed the look on her face when I said I didn't have a car, I rode my bike. When she met me outside with my shelves, she took one look at my setup and promptly offered their delivery services (starting at $35). Needless to say everything loaded up fine and made it home safely.

Anyway, I've noticed there is quite a bit of debate over the merits of the one-wheeled trailer (such as a B.O.B.) and a two-wheeled trailer (such as a Burley). I'm not trying to endorse one brand over another, but based on everything I've read online, the consensus seems to be that the B.O.B. is better for touring (less rolling resistance and better aerodynamics) but the Burley is better for hauling heavy/bulky loads and easier for running errands around town (because it doesn't affect the bike's handling and it's supporting most of the weight of the cargo).

I totally agree that the Burley does not affect the handling of a bike. You definitely feel the weight of a heavy load, but as far as the balance of the bike is concerned, it's no different than riding an unloaded bike. Having tried both, I personally prefer pulling the trailer to using panniers (which totally affect the handling of a bike in my opinion). Another plus is that the trailer attaches to or detaches from the bike in five seconds...so it's not inconvenient to use. Burley offers several different types of hitches. I went with the "classic" hitch because it allows me to hook the trailer up to multiple bikes, and when I'm not using the trailer, there is no residual hardware left on the bike itself.

So there you have it. If you use your bike for running errands, and have considered purchasing a trailer...I say "go for it." You won't be disappointed.

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Permalink Reply by rb on October 19, 2009 at 12:04am
NIce! I bought a very used Burley a few years back at a house sale for $25. I have carried all sorts of stuff. One of the more interesting things that I have done is gone to other house sales. I would agree that it dones not affect the handling that much, though I do need to do a brake pad upgrade, I think.
Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on October 19, 2009 at 2:58am
I've got a little Croozer cargo trailer (http://www.croozerdesigns.com/cargo.html) that I also love for running errands and grocery shopping.

I initially picked it up because it was a relatively cheap way (I got it on sale for $150) for me to haul cargo while I debated the merits of getting a dedicated cargo bike. However, I'm now not sure I need a full-time cargo bike. This little trailer has been great. The Croozer was also nice for me because the trailer folds down for easy storage. As I live in an apartment, don't have a garage, and the bike room is pretty full, I needed something that I could stash fairly easily.

The trailer really increases the stuff I can do by bike (rather than car).
Permalink Reply by Brendan on October 19, 2009 at 6:29am
Joe,

The Croozer website says that trailer has a 66 lbs weight capacity. That seems kind of light; has it been an issue at all for you?

Joe said:
I've got a little Croozer cargo trailer (http://www.croozerdesigns.com/cargo.html) that I also love for running errands and grocery shopping.

I initially picked it up because it was a relatively cheap way (I got it on sale for $150) for me to haul cargo while I debated the merits of getting a dedicated cargo bike. However, I'm now not sure I need a full-time cargo bike. This little trailer has been great. The Croozer was also nice for me because the trailer folds down for easy storage. As I live in an apartment, don't have a garage, and the bike room is pretty full, I needed something that I could stash fairly easily.

The trailer really increases the stuff I can do by bike (rather than car).
Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on October 19, 2009 at 6:40am
Brendan said:
Joe,

The Croozer website says that trailer has a 66 lbs weight capacity. That seems kind of light; has it been an issue at all for you?
The weight limit has not been an issue for me. Granted, I'm not carrying around couches or anything. But a grocery trip for me typically entails anywhere from 4 to 10 bags of groceries, and I'm relatively certain I've exceeded that capacity. So far, I've not had any problem with the large grocery load.

My suspicion is that the weight limit has more to do with the construction of the floor than with anything else. The floor is made of a thick plastic sheet. I've considered replacing it with a thin sheet of plywood, but so far have not had to do it.

The hitch might also be part of the restriction. The hitch is connected to a piece that attaches to your axel (I slpped by quick release skewer through it). With a really heavy load that might be an issue, but I have yet to have any problems with it.
Permalink Reply by Brett Ratner on October 19, 2009 at 6:55am
Thanks for sending that link. The Croozer seems to have some features that I really like over the Burley. My Burley can fold down like that, but I think it would take 5-10 minutes to do so.

The other thing that I like is that you load the Croozer from the top...although I suppose I could do that with the Burley if I removed the roof rack and a cross beam which stabilizes the side panels.

The Burley has a fabric floor (presumably to save weight) whereas the Croozer has a plastic floor. So I'd imagine the Croozer would ultimately be better suited for carrying heavy stuff.

In regard to the 66lb weight capacity mentioned by Brendan, I'm surprised the Croozer is rated that low because the Burley is rated for 100lbs and the cruiser looks to be heavier and sturdier.

Here are some other links that may be useful. The Wike trailers look interesting to me.

http://www.wicycle.com/
http://www.biketrailershop.com/catalog/index.php


Joe said:
I've got a little Croozer cargo trailer (http://www.croozerdesigns.com/cargo.html) that I also love for running errands and grocery shopping.

I initially picked it up because it was a relatively cheap way (I got it on sale for $150) for me to haul cargo while I debated the merits of getting a dedicated cargo bike. However, I'm now not sure I need a full-time cargo bike. This little trailer has been great. The Croozer was also nice for me because the trailer folds down for easy storage. As I live in an apartment, don't have a garage, and the bike room is pretty full, I needed something that I could stash fairly easily.

The trailer really increases the stuff I can do by bike (rather than car).
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on October 19, 2009 at 9:54am
i don't know if that will fit in the car to the Hilly Hundred. Sorry Brent. Wait, maybe on the roof! And yes I loovvvveeee my trailer too. My favorite is hauling my nephews and friend's dogs around town.
Permalink Reply by Jon319 on October 19, 2009 at 4:24pm


I purchased a bike trailer from Bikes at Work, Inc. (http://www.bikesatwork.com/) for heavy lifting. The attached photo was demonstrate another use as a parade float. The trailer has an amazing 300 lbs capacity. I haul a lot of weight with two kids and two large collection boxes at tailgates in Iowa where you can get 5 cents per can. I love the trailer and the my kids are paying me back half the cost--they will eventually own it with me 50/50 once they have paid off their debt. Currently I provide assistance on the can collection byut give them 100% of hte proceeds. You can haul extra bikes as well.
Permalink Reply by Nancy L. Fagin on October 20, 2009 at 3:15am
Brett Ratner said:
Thanks for sending that link. The Croozer seems to have some features that I really like over the Burley. My Burley can fold down like that, but I think it would take 5-10 minutes to do so.

The other thing that I like is that you load the Croozer from the top...although I suppose I could do that with the Burley if I removed the roof rack and a cross beam which stabilizes the side panels.

The Burley has a fabric floor (presumably to save weight) whereas the Croozer has a plastic floor. So I'd imagine the Croozer would ultimately be better suited for carrying heavy stuff.

In regard to the 66lb weight capacity mentioned by Brendan, I'm surprised the Croozer is rated that low because the Burley is rated for 100lbs and the cruiser looks to be heavier and sturdier.

Here are some other links that may be useful. The Wike trailers look interesting to me.

http://www.wicycle.com/
http://www.biketrailershop.com/catalog/index.php


Joe said:
I've got a little Croozer cargo trailer (http://www.croozerdesigns.com/cargo.html) that I also love for running errands and grocery shopping.

I initially picked it up because it was a relatively cheap way (I got it on sale for $150) for me to haul cargo while I debated the merits of getting a dedicated cargo bike. However, I'm now not sure I need a full-time cargo bike. This little trailer has been great. The Croozer was also nice for me because the trailer folds down for easy storage. As I live in an apartment, don't have a garage, and the bike room is pretty full, I needed something that I could stash fairly easily.

The trailer really increases the stuff I can do by bike (rather than car).
Permalink Reply by Nancy L. Fagin on October 20, 2009 at 3:35am
I had Performance 203R and a steel trailer (In-line?, both stolen - with a pin that went through the hub). Now a Schwinn Traveler and an aluminum 2-kiddie trailer which uses a plastic clamp, with most of the canvas removed - who needs a sail while going over the DesPlaines Avenue bridge? With a reflector vest, an orange flag and with plenty of hand singals things have been going smoothly. Truckers and UPS drivers wave, though they haven't blown me a kiss yet. I've hauled up to 150 lbs (potting soil, postage, recycling newspapers/cans, etc.). It doesn't seem to affect stability, but I have to leave extra footage when braking off a down hill side of bridges. If I have to do a postage run at night to the Harrison Street/Main PO, then I attach an extra red-flasher (blinky-blink, hot-dot) at the rear of the frame. The problem with some of the designs is that if you remove the canvas there's no place to stick the flag, so now I have a clamp and a bungie cord for vertical tension; also, the stolen trailer had canvas was rotting, so we replaced it with a plywood panel, drilled holes in the panel and then laced it on with picture wire, instead of trying to drill holes through the trailer frame. Some versions have quick release wheels...I just store mine under the porch with the potting soil and rusted lawn mower.

The main thing about bikes is that they have to be accessiable...not hanging in the garage or under a load of laundry. The bikes are in the front hall closet - my mini-garage, with helmets, reflectors and flag in a storage bin at the door. I grab the right bike, stuff and then go for the trailer.

Some day I'll get a photograph of my "rig".

Nancy L. Fagin
Chicago, IL
Permalink Reply by Mark Kenseth on October 20, 2009 at 3:54am
mine is good for griswald-like adventures or going to the beach with a surfboard. :)

Permalink Reply by Brendan on October 20, 2009 at 4:59am
That's a handsome trailer! Is all that wood treated and sealed?

Mark Kenseth said:
mine is good for griswald-like adventures or going to the beach with a surfboard. :)

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