Recreational & Family - Changing attachment for Trek trailer

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.




Garandman
05-07-06, 07:59 AM
We have a Trek trailer that attaches to the frame with a clamp that goes around the frame just in front of the rear wheel.

The bike we usually use for towing is an old Marin and the frame is heavily tapered at that point. So the mount often slides back and becomes loose.

Anyone solved this problem? I could retrofit a new attachment mechanism, or build up the frame somehow. Perhaps someone has come up with a good solution?


DieselDan
05-07-06, 03:32 PM
Shim the clamp with something like a cut aluminum can.

Michel Gagnon
05-07-06, 07:39 PM
What year is that Trek trailer? A few years ago, Trek trailers sold in U.S. were made by Chariot. You may therefore check with Trek or Chariot and see whether the newer E-Z hitch would fit.

Chariot sells the E-Z hitch (http://chariotcarriers.com/html_english/faq_buyers_ezhitch.htm) upgrade kit for their older trailers and trust me, it works great! And if you want to quickly move the trailer between two bikes, you may buy an extra receptacle. Moving the receptacle between two bikes can be done in about 2 minutes.

To see the E-Z Hitch, go to this page (http://chariotcarriers.com/html_english/chariot_innovations.htm) and click on E-Z Hitch


Garandman
05-07-06, 08:41 PM
I bought the trailer used three years ago, so it could be anywhere from 5-10 years old. Here are pictures of the cab, and the clamp. The clamp says "CTS" (Child Transport System) which seems to be a Chariot term of trade but all the other labels say Trek.

Michel Gagnon
05-08-06, 08:06 PM
It is the hitch used by Chariot in 2000 and will be compatible with the E-Z Hitch upgrade. If you don't know of any Chariot dealer in your area, write to the company; they should direct you to the proper place.

va_cyclist
05-09-06, 09:49 AM
Our Trek trailer (circa 1999) has the same kind of clamp. I would take a short piece of rubber or plastic hose, slit it lengthwise, and fit it over the chainstay, then attach the clamp around that.

Garandman
05-13-06, 10:22 PM
Thanks for the tips. I'll try a rubber shim and if that doesn't hold it, the skewer replacement.