Utility Cycling - rack-top child carrier

Now that our 6 yr old is not going to the same place as our 2.5 yr old during the day, I am starting to wonder about ditching the trailer (which I have to break down and stash in the staff room when I drop her, then reassamble before I retrieve her) in favor of a rack-based childcarrier. That seat would be easier to stash, presumably take less reassembly work.

Topeak's says it's good to 40#, and she is I think 31#. Does it seem like there's a percentage in putting her onto one of those (and then I'd need a front rack for my panniers)? Or is she going to outgrow it too quickly? It took the 6 yr old... about 6 yrs to get to 40#. In our hellacious rainy winters, though, there is something to be said for her being inside the reasonably weathertight trailer rather than perched on the back rack dressed like the Gorton's fisherman.

I vote for the Groton's fisherman attire:D...oh you mean the seat:o I don't particularly like the rack mounted children's seats for a variety of reasons. To me the trailer is the best choice, but I can see where it would be a pain having to break it down. Would an different bike like an Xtracycle or perhaps a Bakfiets with the covered front box be an option? I know they are expensive but might be worth it in the long run. Or maybe the American Built Long John? I can't find the link for the Long John. I will search later this evening and see if I can post it for you.

Found it! http://www.catoregon.org/hpm/longhaul.htm
Aaron:)

I like that Long John, thanks for the link! But child shuttling is only ~3-4 miles of my ~18 mile typical day, and I can't really picture chugging that bad boy up the hill and out of town to work after dropping the baby at her daycare. Very cool bike though!