Utility Cycling - burley flatbed setup for grocery run?

I'd been looking for a trailer for a while for grocery runs because my panniers are only sufficient for light grocery duty. So I scored a good deal on burley flatbed last night off CL, and I was wondering what some good flatbed set ups were for groceries.

So far the most practical (and popular) setup I've seen is the rubbermaid type container strapped in. I'll probably start off with that, but I'm wondering what more creative/ambitious set ups are. Will two rubbermaid containers fit?

Thanks.

One point ,mate. Whatever you wind up with make darn sure that you can balance
the load!:eek::eek::D

One point ,mate. Whatever you wind up with make darn sure that you can balance
the load!:eek::eek::D

Yep, will do. Just read all about what tongue weight means. Interesting stuff.

The page was in reference to car trailers, but I'm guessing the same idea applies to bikes. Slightly loaded towards the front, ie 15% of total weight.

I use a rubber made box, or a cooler if I'm getting perishables.

AllenG I assume there are no hills on your route?

I like to have bungee cords between the two side rails to keep stuff from sliding off, but I don't pick up groceries. What do you tow with, here is mine with my '68 Varsity

BUngee cords re great for trailering stuff, because when it shifts the cord will still be tight unlike rope. Heres some stuff I towed over the weekend.


An old English 3 speed that I saved from scrap

I hauled 6 loads of firewood 1 mile round trip to my summer home in southwestern Michigan; saw a big file of free wood and started hauling. Got lots of attention as people watched me coast downhill empty then crawl uphill with a 40 pound ten speed and 90 pound trailer at 10mph. I will be taking it to the Chicago Police auction to haul home some new stuff Saturday




Happy hauling

Thanks for pics guys. I was about to ask "why do yall use bungies not straps?"; thanks for clearing that up chicagoan. Makes sense.

I'm gonna use either my surly lht or rivendell atlantis. The burley has the classic plastic hitch so should be easy to switch between bikes. If I start using it for more heavy duty stuff, I may buy the newer metal hitch. For now, its main use is gonna be grocery runs, recycling, and picnic (cooler, lawn chairs) duties.

THe thing is its alot easier to use the metal hitch, and its no stronger than the classic. But as you can see in the second picture with the logs, I used the straps, that was my first run with the wood, and it kept shifting so that one of them would rub against the wheels. The straps are good bor things like boxes, that aren't really gonna move unless you start in a low gear peddaling har, brake hard or flip the trailer. Its just things that can move a whole lot that need bungee cords.

OK, just took it out last week for its first run. Definitely like the trailer more for heavy duty grocery runs than panniers. Here's a pic:



I still have to figure out my tie down strategy as stuff move around quite a bit by the time i got home, but I'm pretty happy with the new trailer so far.

Take care not to load top heavy or you'll tip in a heart beat on corners. Load heavy but load low.

Other than that bungee cords are the answer. :thumb:

Hay you still have room for more grocerys :rolleyes:

AllenG I assume there are no hills on your route?

Just saw this reply, sorry for the long late response.

No, I have hills, that's not a single speed but an internal gear hub, 500%+ gear range.

Nice,

I agree, don't put lots of weight high up. I towed a bike home from a yard sale upside-down, with the wheels still attached. It kept leaning to one side, and when I made a turn one wheel would lift up. I remember when mine was all nice and clean like yours.

My burley flatbed has a 45 gallon rubbermaid tub in it. They cost 15 dollars at Walmart. You can cut a slot in the back of the tub to put a light and..........IT HOLDS AN ENTIRE CART FULL OF GROCERIES.

Its easy to judge if it will fit in your trailer or not...one cart = fits...........over 1 car = does not fit.

Here's another recent pic from a recycling run:



Also, any suggestions on where to get the metal hitch? I see one on Amazon for $22 + 10 shipping. Kind of pricey for a metal tab.

I have a crappy old In-Step trailer kiddie trailer that I use. I ripped all the canvasy stuff out and put in a floor and low walls made of corrogated plastic (the sort of stuff they make some advertising and political signs out of). Its light. Reasonably strong. And cheap.

jim