Recreational & Family - trail gator reviews

any reviews by those here who have used them? i searched the forums but didn't really find the kind of info i was looking for.

here's what i'd like to do;

use my trek 7300 to pull my son's 20" bmx using a trail gator. connected to his bike will be an el-cheapo trailer. i've rigged the trailer with pvc tubes so that we can haul fishing/camping gear. I have 2 kids; 5 and 7 years old. they will alternate riding on the bmx bike and riding in the trailer. fwiw, i don't expect us to travel more than 5 or 6 miles at any one time.

do you think a trail gator would handle such a load? do you think my 7300 will handle it? would lowering my seat post help relieve/distribute pressure on the seat post and tube?

i'd appreciate any advice/experiences.

I'm not sure a 5 or 7 year old will even fit in a trailer. Mine were a bit big for their age but we ditched the trailer at around 4-5 in favor of the Trail-Gator.

What about getting the 7 year old a 24" wheel geared bike and having him ride solo, then pull the 5 YO in trailer with gear or the parade set up you mentioned for your gear.

Depending on your kid size and the size of your trailer, they can ride in the trailer until they are 9. Not the most comfortable for them or you but it is possible. I have pulled an 11 and 8 year old (short distance but they did want to squeeze in to try it). Your 7300 should handle the load fine. I would only give extra caution if your seatpost is carbon fiber and then just check that the connector has no burrs and don't overtighten (I think the gators attach to the seatpost and not the seat). You should have no problems with that setup.

For me, we start cycling them out of the trailer about 5. I am "forcing" my 7 year old to ride solo this weekend on a 30 mile ride. Although I have told him he can go in the trailer or in the tandem position (lash his bike to the trailer) if he gets too tired.

Each kid is different though. My 6 year old does not have much interest in riding on their own but riding on the tandem or the tag-along is very exciting. Meanwhile, the 3 year old wants to ride the 6 year olds bike. In the end, I just want them outside doing something, and that is being accomplished.

neither of my kids can ride without training wheels. my daughter has no desire to try to learn yet and i don't push her. they both love when i take them to the path and they ride with me...training wheels and all.

i've got a bontrager suspension post. i hate it. there's too much wobble in it and the suspension really isn't necessary. my major concern is where the trailer mounting bracket is clamped down by the rear skewer. would pulling that much weight bend the chain/seat stay(s)?

it isn't comfortable for them in the trailer. at least not with both of them in it. last summer, i went on a 20 mile ride. when i got home, we loaded up the trailer with towels and sun block and headed to the water park. it was closed for repairs that day. we turned around and went home. i ended up pulling them (they each weighed about 50# at the time) 10 miles after that 20 mile ride.

As an owner of several Trail-a-bikes as well as someone who's ridden a bike towing a Piccolo, the Trail Gator is awful. I own one and it's simply got too much slop -- the trailing bike *will* flop from side to side, quite uncomfortably (will knock over the towing bike if there isn't a 3:1 or so weight advantage). Spend the money on the dedicated tag-a-long -- even a cheap one is better than the Trail Gator.

Contact me for more info if you'd like.