Utility Cycling - InStep or Nashbar kid trailer

looking to get one of these el'cheepo trailers... anyone had either one?

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600098&subcategory=60001059&brand=&sku=9308&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Child%20Carriers

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5679648

We have had the InStep Turbo Trainer for about six years. We got the thing as a discontinued item at a deep discount. It logged about four years of year-round service taking our daughter to school and summer day camp with no problems. She has since graduated to a Trail-A-Bike, but the InStep still does a good job fetching groceries at a nearby market where car parking is very limited.

Drawbacks: 1) it is hard (but possible) to install a blinkie for night use. 2) when empty, it can blow over in high winds - that's why the top has duct-taped holes in it from being dragged along the road upside down. It is perfectly stable with child or groceries aboard, though.

Paul

Why waste money on a "cheapo" kids trailer when you can build a "cheaper" trailer
that can be used long after the kids are grown?

My post from another thread about the same topic.........
"Yes, you can find anything "ready made" if you throw enough money at it. But why do that?

You ,even if your a clutzy person, can build this trailer , or have it built, for under $100 with
salvaged parts to carry 300# easy. Save your money, mate, it's hard times..remember??

For those who want a "afforable" trailer consider a DIY trailer like this one. I built this trailer
many years ago using easily salvaged material that were found or I had on hand. I use it still
today when my Worksman PAV trike can't handle the load. If you elect to follow my mods to
the original plan it will have load capaicity of 300 lbs easy.

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

My mods.....
Frame... from plywood to white oak salvaged from a shipping skid.
Wheels...from 27" to 20" salvaged from a discarded kids bike (carrys more).
Neck.. from plywood to white oak salvaged from a shipping skid.
Bracing for neck (for added twist strength) diagonal from front edge of frame to 6"
behind hitch of 3/4" electrical conduit. Neck dimensions can be adjusted to fit properly.
Paint...what I had on hand in oil based enamel.
Hitch.. a piece of tire side wall or other cord reinforced rubber sheeting.
Safety... seat belt for kids and bike flag for idiot drivers.

This plan is so easy to build I built mine using simple hand tools for everything except
drilling the 4 holes in the metal conduit."

But but but .... How do you properly tie down the kid, w/o the appropriate 5 point seatbelt? ;)

Thanks for the link, I'll have to file that away. We just had an instep trailer given to us; other than needing a special tube it seems just fine. I think the people who gave it to us got it for free, off of freecycle or craigslist.

[One flat tire, I sorta patched it--slow leak--but this is a low end instep model with plastic wheels. The tube stem will not take a proper pump; it was replaced at some point with a standard tube. The other wheel has a special tube that has a metal valve stem that angles the tube outwards.]