Living Car Free - Using child trailers question.
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Dylansbob
06-05-06, 12:21 PM
I just got back from my grocery trip using an Instep trailer for my purchases. I'm hoping to make it a regular thing, especially for the once a week 4 gallons of water trip. I people use them as such and I have a couple of questions. I tried to keep as smooth as possible, but the trailer still "rubber banded" itself behind me on the hills. Is the flex coupler between the clamp and trailer strong enough to frequent use? Does it tear before it fails or just let loose. Is there any kind of quick fix/upgrade for that area or does it just work better than I am thinking. Thanks,
brent
CommuterRun
06-06-06, 06:28 AM
I haven't noticed this "rubber banding" problem with my Burley trailers, with much heavier loads than is described. Are you sure it's not just the water sloshing that you're feeling? Can you post a picture of your hitch? Admittedly, I am not familiar with the In-Step trailers, but I would think there shouldn't be a problem with a load that light.:)
Buy an under-sink water filter instead of carting all that bottled water back and forth. It tastes just as good (better, IMO), is more convenient, and isn't nearly as heavy. Filter cartridges last between 6 months and a year (depending on size and usage).
I have an InStep, the mount on mine is basically a big coil spring, very stiff. The "boingy" when i ride, though, is not the mount, it's the load (whether child or gear). It wags around some in the trailer, it's essentially a sling design, and some rocking seems inherent.
Pedaling smoothly at higher cadence helps. But then, my 4-month olds really enjoys voilent rubber-banding, gets him hollering with laughter ;). Go figure.