Using a travel trailer

[stargazer48]

I am 99% sure that I'm getting a Swift folder. Any one (Wav) using the BF travel trailer or something similar that uses the Samsonite FLite? I asked Peter from Swift if the BF trailer can be used with his folder and he couldn't say.

[Wavshrdr]

SG- Shouldn't be an issue to use one but I can't tell you for sure yet. The mouting should work without too much issue. The hitches are pretty universal or can be adapted pretty easily from what I have seen. I am looking at using a cheap donor trailer for attachment hardware and the using my F'lite suitcase. At the moment though until my shoulder heals I am not working on anything. I have seen the BF setup and it nice but I don't want to spend that kind of money on a trailer. There was another company that sold a "kit" to convert your suitcase ala the BF trailer but I don't remember the website at the moment. If I can find it, I'll post it.

[stargazer48]

SG- Shouldn't be an issue to use one but I can't tell you for sure yet. The mouting should work without too much issue. The hitches are pretty universal or can be adapted pretty easily from what I have seen. I am looking at using a cheap donor trailer for attachment hardware and the using my F'lite suitcase. At the moment though until my shoulder heals I am not working on anything. I have seen the BF setup and it nice but I don't want to spend that kind of money on a trailer. There was another company that sold a "kit" to convert your suitcase ala the BF trailer but I don't remember the website at the moment. If I can find it, I'll post it.
Are you referring to this kit (http://www.bikerev.com/pg6.cfm) ?
Doesn't seem very practical for travelling if you have to take some type of top and it's still $149.

[Wavshrdr]

I think someone on the Dahon forums was using that kit in conjunction with an Oyster suitcase to make a trailer. You could adapt that one quite easily.

Here are more BF trailer options.

http://store.bikefriday.com/index.php?cPath=51

[v1nce]

A pity about that kit, it does seem rather overpriced but the simplicity of it is admirable.

[yangmusa]

A pity about that kit, it does seem rather overpriced but the simplicity of it is admirable.
I have been thinking that this kit from Wike might do the job:

http://www.wike.ca/kit.htm

It's only $99 (Canadian dollars!) so it's much cheaper. Now I just need to get that folder, so I can finish hatching my evil plan ;)

[stargazer48]

Although, I am one that always looks for a frugal deal, I wonder how well the wheels from kits perform, compared to BF's kit, and how many miles the wheel axels will last as some of us might easily do many thousands of miles within several months averaging 15 mph. This could be a weak link to a nice performing bike or am I just nit picking.
I just clicked on the USA (http://www.wicycle.com/trailer.htm) side of the Wike site and the US price is $79.

yangmusa, thanks for the link. I will contact them before I too, finally get my folder.

[caotropheus]

SG48

You need a trailer which wheels have bearings and are secured like a wheel chair hub. Depends on how much a wheel chair hub costs, you can build a trailer with aluminium pipes and this sort of hubs laced for wheels 16.

[Mr_Super_Socks]

I struggled with this myself. There is a user on here, toodman, who made his own travel trailer from parts of a burley trailer.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=1647623#post1647623
the pic links and follow-up are gone, but unless you have a spare, lightweight burley trailer lying around, it's not that useful.
Anyway, the extra attachment piece that bike friday sells will work on just about any bike with a semi-standard rear trianlge, which the Swift definitely has. http://store.bikefriday.com/product_info.php?cPath=51&products_id=7528

I would highly recommend getting the trailer kit directly from Bike Friday - it's expensive, but it's very well made. It comes with a template so you screw the holes in your suitcase in the right spot. Buy the suitcase elsewhere - you can get the Samsonite F'Lite for around $100 online. good luck