Burley Flatbed vs Croozer Travel

[JStrider]

I'm in the market for a bike trailer.

the 2 that have really caught my eye are the:
Burley Flatbed - $200
http://biketrailershop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=152

Croozer Travel - $309
http://biketrailershop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=44&products_id=200

I really like how the Croozer folds away into a pretty flat package, I'm in an apartment so being able to fold up is important. But I havnt seen any reviews on it.

I havn't seen any pictures of how the Burley folds up, but I have seen a number of good reviews.


I'm just looking for peoples experiences with either or both trailers so I can try to decide if the croozer is really worth the extra 100

thanks a bunch!

[mupedalpusher]

Be sure to check out the Y-frame made by Carry Freedom. It's awesome. Mine should arrive tomorrow. My friend has one so I already knew what they were like. I was tempted by the Burley flatbed but the Carry Freedom is amazingly strong (carry up to 200lbs) and it comes apart in a matter of seconds and stores in a very small footprint. Check it out, it's on the same website as the others you are looking at. I emailed the place and Josh from biketrailershop says it's a great trailer as well. I plan to put a large plastic tub on mine for most hauling but it's really flexible. It's only $269 so it's in between the other two on prices.

[donnamb]

I have the Burley Flatbed and like it a lot. It takes up very little space. Yesterday, I finally got a glimpse of the Carry Freedom Y-frame. That's a very attractive, flatbed trailer with clean lines and an nice looking wood platform. Mupedalpusher, you'll have to write a review for us after you get a chance to use yours. :)

I don't know all that much about the Croozer.

[JunkyardWarrior]

the croozer definatly has a good look

[JStrider]

After looking at them again... I think I'm gonna eliminate the Croozer... The other 2 dont have bars in the back so it would be easier to lay something longer then the trailer so it was hanging off the back some.

The extra weight capacity of the Y-frame is pretty appealing.... but I do like how the burley has tubing arouond the tires to help protect them from the cargo shifting. and I did read that you could put more weight in the burley if you put plywood on the bottom.

it looks like the bottom of the burley is some kind of flexible canvas material?

[Nightshade]

Pardon me,but, why on earth would anyone in their right mind want to
spend so much money for a bicycle trailer they can build for pennies on
the dollar with recycled materials??

I built this trailer in 1983 and use it yet today quite often when the load is
bigger than my trike will handle. This trailer can easily haul 300+ lbs when
white oak is used for the frame in place of the plywood called for.

The trailer I built cost me all of $20 when I built it for hardware as all the
wood and the wheels were recycled materials.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/DIY/1981-07-01/Dime-on-the-Dollar-Bicycle-Trailer.aspx

P.S. this trailer is so easy to build I built mine using only hand tools since my shop didn't exist
in 1983 !!!!!

[CommuterRun]

Yeah, the Burley is a rubberized canvas material.

Don't know anything about the Croozer, but from just looking at the picture, the Burley will fold flatter. With the Burley all folded up and the drawbar off the thickest thing is the wheels.

The Burley is $109 cheaper and by manufacturers spec. 13 lbs. lighter. Not that that will matter when towing a loaded trailer, but it might if you have to carry it up a flight of stairs.

[andmalc]

... The Burley is $109 cheaper and by manufacturers spec. 13 lbs. lighter. Not that that will matter when towing a loaded trailer, but it might if you have to carry it up a flight of stairs.

I got the similar Croozer Cargo (for $240 Canadian, around $225 US). Very solid design but probably overkill for typical consumer use - I will never carry 100lbs of cargo. So, it is less practical than the lighter Burley.

On the other hand, I'd never worry about lending it out to someone - this thing'd be hard to kill.

[Chicagoan]

I love my burley flatbed I use it to haul computer parts, recycling stuff, a lawnmower motor, other bikes, and school stuff sometimes.

[mupedalpusher]

I got my Carry Freedom last week and began using it right away. I LOVE IT! The design is so simple but very strong and easy to assemble and disassemble. It pulls very well both loaded and not loaded. The last load I hauled was well over 100lbs and it pulled like a dream. The CF is rated to 200lbs whereas the Burley is only rated to 100lbs.
I love this trailer and I'm glad I got it. I was able to haul two different sized containers easily because it's flat. I also like the fact that I can take it apart in a matter of seconds and store it behind the door of my office. It has a much smaller footprint than the Burley and disassembles quicker. This trailer isn't cheap but it's well made and worth the dollars if you don't want to build your own.