Recumbent - bob trailer for a recumbent??

i'm looking seriously at a seiran SL model. Some may say this is a bad choice for touring the country, buuut, i want it for century rides and a car replacement after the tour. . . so SL model it is.

is it safe to put a bob trailer on a high racer? it looks like it has the bracket mount for one on the website: http://www.challenge-recumbents.com/html/index.php?taal=en&selectie=seiransl

but i have no experience on a recumbent.

i am pretty sure i'll need a trailer, but it will be a group ride, so we may switch out who takes the trailer for camping gear.

i just get the feeling it's going to be unstable with a trailer. . . but i may do it anyway

any suggestions would be great : )

FWIW, We pull a bob behind our Rans Screamer tandem, which has a 26" rear wheel, fully loaded, along with a pair of Arkel 54 litre panniers with no problem. I also pull the bob behind my Catrike Road (406 rear wheel) without any issues. Both rides are quite stable with the bob, but we do watch our descent speed with the tandem when pulling the trailer. Mike

i'm looking seriously at a seiran SL model. Some may say this is a bad choice for touring the country, buuut, i want it for century rides and a car replacement after the tour. . . so SL model it is.

is it safe to put a bob trailer on a high racer? it looks like it has the bracket mount for one on the website: http://www.challenge-recumbents.com/html/index.php?taal=en&selectie=seiransl

but i have no experience on a recumbent.

i am pretty sure i'll need a trailer, but it will be a group ride, so we may switch out who takes the trailer for camping gear.

i just get the feeling it's going to be unstable with a trailer. . . but i may do it anyway

any suggestions would be great : )


Wow - Lots of ambitious ideas. The Serian SL I would suggest is a top notch perfomance HiRacer and is a pretty brave leap for a first time recumbent owner. My first experience with recumbents was riding a SWB duel 20" Trek R200 with a more upright Rans seat a few years before getting my first HiRacer, an Actionbent with dual 26" wheels. First couple of rides on my HiRacer were not too confidence inspiring but presently feel very secure with it. I would not in any way discourage your decision with the Serian, it's a very classy machine.

I had visions of doing a tour with my HiRacer around Lake Superior and bought a BoB clone single wheel trailer (also made by Actionbent). I chickened out after reading a few horror stories regarding single wheel trailers and eventually fitted my 20" duel wheel Trek Bent with rear rack and panniers for the 1,400 mile tour in summer of 2007. I just did not feel confident with idea of rolling down hill in excess of 35 mph pulling a trailer. This summer I did hook HiRacer up to trailer and did a short 200 mile weekend camping trip carrying about 30 lbs. It actually tracked beautifully and I lost my fear(or most of it) in travelling down hills in excess of 35 mph. It does seems to make sense to travel long distances with the most energy efficient and comfortable bike. My HiRacer is very fast and comfortable and I would expect the Serian to be even more so. My next step is to try pulling trailer behind a recently purchased LowRacer if feasable.

As far as attaching a Bob trailer behind a HiRacer it can be easily done. The skewer going through the rear axle is substitued for one which will connect with the BoB hitch. I think stability wise you are okay as long as you keep trailer loaded properly. I have often thought if one had to brake quickly when going down a hill might present a problem. As yet I have never have had to do this. I think the BoB can carry 70 lbs., but I would never want to carry more than about 50lbs.

The concern I would have with any recumbent is the suitability of the frame for pulling a trailer. The design of the Serian does not have any triangulation in back for support just as my LowRacer doesn't. My AB HiRacer has at least some in the design and is a Aluminum-Chromolly bike rated to carry 265 lbs. I think the Serian is rated to carry a max of 235 lbs. and a lighter framed bike. This might not mean anything but it would be a good idea to contact the maker directly and ask them about pulling a trailer. I would tend to think as long as you are pulling straight and true it would not be a problem but if you would have to brake hard or have to dive off the road you could maybe do some damage by putting twisting torque on the rear frame that the bike just couldn't handle.

Anyway I would hope some more knowedgable individuals will voice their opinions. I like the idea of using a bike for multiple purposes. I hope a purchase of the Serian will fit all your needs.

Karjak

thanks for the response : )

i've thought that perhaps it's too ambitious of a bike to start on, however, recumbents can be very expensive ^^; and that's partially why i want to go with the SL model now, (even thought the E would be fast, and probably work better on the tour, i would feel like i missed out on the faster bike by a few hundred afterwards) but you have a very good point, there is absolutely no triangulation on the back. granted, we will have multiple bikes on the trip, if worst came to worst, i would make an agreement to switch off who rode the recumbent, and we would have to pull the trailer with an upright one day, and ride the recumbent the other.

the bob trailer idea was going to be just for camping gear, tent, and stove, so hopefully we can keep the weight off. the very LAST thing i want to do is mess up a 3000+ dollar bike on the first ride i do with it!! so i may keep on the safe side and avoid the trailer on it. I think that would be a safer bet

come to think of it, i probably need to do a few more short tours. the trip isn't for a year and a half, but i won't have the recumbent until the end of the summer. As far as developing muscles for recumbent riding, i hope i have enough riding time in there. of course, i'll be riding with older guys on uprights :P so i should be just fine right?

you can also get side panel bags that may fit enough, from the pictures on their website, you can fit quite a few bags on it, and me being at 150, i can carry 50+ lbs of stuff and still be well within the limit : )

I agree with your thinking and it sounds like you are making a good choice with the SL. Don't know if you've been to the Bentrideronline website yet but they did a review on the SL model and gave it some good comments. http://www.bentrideronline.com/reviews/Seiran%20SL/Seiran%20SL.htm
I would bet within in a week of riding you would feel very comfortable with it.

Sounds like the framing, even though light is specially engineered to be strong and I think it will be a great Century event bike as well as commuter bike. As for touring, it sound like using the panel bags will be no problem but I don't know if you can carry all you want on a tour. You would probably lose friends riding your high efficient low energy bike and having them pull your trailer(just kidding). Sounds like a great idea! I notice now in re-reading your post that you thought maybe you could switch bikes and have fellow rider use the recumbent. Problem is even though the seat can be adusted for angle positions, the fitting of the bike is set by an adustable boom. It is kind of tiral and error to get dialed in correctly on the length and once done you don't want to mess with it. Unless a fellow rider would match in inseam exactly, probably would not be a good idea to switch off with fellow rider. Your chain length is determined on where your boom is adusted to and if you have to move it too much to adjust for another rider, could mess up the chain tension and screw up your gearing. You would also have to have the specialized skewer for any bike pulling the trailer.

Did you have a chance to contact Challenge (http://www.challenge-ligfietsen.nl/html/index.php?taal=en&selectie=recumbentextremetravel) and ask them about pulling a trailer. I actually think it would work well and the only problem I could forsee, is if you had a mishap and had the trailer maybe T-bone or slide to the side putting extra twist on the rear-end.

I contacted one of the makers of a recumbent Low Racer and Mid Racers(without triiangulation in the design) inquiring of suitability of pulling my BoB clone trailer. They replied it would be suitable, I would still worry about the special situations though.

Being an older guy, it was fun to keep up with my son who is 27 and rode a DF Trek 520 with panniers, while I rode my HiRacer pulling the trailer, on our 200 mile weekend trip (I'm 62) . HiRacers are just great for any kind of distance, you will notice your friends wanting to take breaks and needing to stretch and shake tight wrists, massage cramped necks, and manipulate aching backs while you will be wondering why you need to stop. I have no suspension on my bike and do feel the bumps but there doesn't seem to be any detrimental effects for me with my well padded Hardshell seat.

Anyway enjoy your journeys.

Karjak

i'll contact challenge and see what they say, if i absolutely had to have a trailer, i could go for a classic trailer which would take the twist factor out, and probably make me feel a little more comfortable with it. i'm assuming even if i have a trailer, i'll be able to keep up with the diamond frames on the trip : P seeing as they're twice my age. hopefully it will even out like it did for you and your son. That seems like a good combo :)

i'm really looking forward to getting it : P my internship this summer, and maybe a small loan will cover the price. It is hard justifying that kind of price tag, but i was going to get a motorbike that cost the same O:-) so i guess i can justify it by that

maybe one person on the trip will happen to fit the bike as well. . . but the question is whether i'll let them ride my baby if i get attached O; )

i've read the bentrider review, i've been reading every scrap i can possibly find on the bike, the more i read, the more it seems like the right one

and a month after i get it, there will be a 24 hour ride in atlanta (6 people, based on laps) can't wait to smoke em ;-P

Jug,
I have an Optima Lynxx with many optional xtras. I do long rough tours. I have front & back shocks, Disc brakes, Dyno hub with led lights, USS and a large HD rear painer rack to carry two panniers and a seat back bag. I don't want to get stuck in "Tiger Country" so I carry many spares. The bike has a 26" and a 20" wheel and the trailer has a 16" so I carry 3 spare tyres and 3 tubes. Also in my kick are spare spokes and a tool kit with cable ties, pump and chain repair kit. I bought a TW Bents "Bob style" trailer from Tiwan for $250Au. I love the BoB Yak and Ibex ( My mate has one of each) but in AU dollars they come in about $700 each. I carry my tent, bivvy, ground sheet, thermarest and stove in one pannier and my sleeping bag, toiletries and clothes in the other. I use my foam seat as an extra mattress. My valuables, medication, camera, cell phone, eye protection and torches travel in the seat back bag with snack supplies. In the trailer I carry the spare tyres & tubes on the bottom, a vet bag with a few days food in it, a bag of cuttlery, a collapsible fishing rod and tackle and 2m of 6mm nylon rope. First aid kit. Beside the rear wheel I have mounted two PET 2.5l water bottles and a third over and in front of the wheel stuffed with tools and spares. These three bottles are held in their racks by a single bungee cord. Behind my moulded seat, I have mounted a 2.5l hydration pack for use during riding and have a second one mounted below the panier rack above the rear wheel. I fill this one and the trailer ones only if I am going a couple of days without water.
On the flat I don't even know the trailer is there. Up hill, granny gear rules. I like the bent because I don't have to dismount when I stop on an incline. As long as you are in low-low for take off, you pull on the brakes and put the undercarriage down and rest, rehydrate and take some sugar. When the legs have stopped burning, you position the pedals and take off again. My loaded trailer tracks very well behind the Lynxx. On one smooth downhill on a recent trip, on a run of about 5km I clocked 69.1k/h. My tyres were new and the road smooth. I noticed on my mate's BoB, a warning not to exceed 20mph. There was no such warning on mine. In retro I wouldn't have liked to have a blow-out at that speed. I descend a little more cautiously now.
On this trip we had to cross three ranges of 2700ft along a dirt track rising steeply up and over. Getting off and pushing was the only option. On one incline, it was 2 men one bike for 100m, then leave that one and go back for the other. This continued for a couple of kilometers and took quite a few hours. It was good for our fitness. On the decline, I rode my brakes the whole way. SWB bents do not like sand or gravelly roads.
I 've had trouble with my steering and a broken chain. Most surprisingly I've had no flats.
I'm fortunate where I live there are many different campsites within a days ride form home so I am keeping my hand in by frequently riding out in the afternoon to a creek, camping then riding home next morning. I can ride at night too with my dynohub.
I don't worry about numerical superlatives. Av speed, or total distance or time taken etc don't rate. It's the journey. Stop and catch dinner. Enjoy the campsite and climb a hill. I like to ride with people but I don't compete. My bent is quicker than my DF because of my aerodynamics but with a 30kg weight penalty towing behind who cares? My mate has a Surly Long Haul Trucker with a Bob Ibex and many options. He rides slow and I am always stopping and waiting for him.. I don't mind. He is good company and camping with him sure beats camping alone.
I hope you enjoy your rig. Set yourself up to suit you. Don't fret about the fast, young, cool set. Let'm enjoy their triumphs and enjoy your own. Don't compete, then you can't lose.
RT

Jug,
I have an Optima Lynxx with many optional xtras. ..........................................
............................I bought a TW Bents "Bob style" trailer from Tiwan for $250Au. I love the BoB Yak and Ibex ( My mate has one of each) but in AU dollars they come in about $700 each. I carry my tent, bivvy, ground sheet, thermarest and stove in one pannier and my sleeping bag, toiletries and clothes in the other. I use my foam seat as an extra mattress. My valuables, medication, camera, cell phone, eye protection and torches travel in the seat back bag with snack supplies. In the trailer I carry the spare tyres & tubes on the bottom, a vet bag with a few days food in it, a bag of cuttlery, a collapsible fishing rod and tackle and 2m of 6mm nylon rope. First aid kit. Beside the rear wheel I have mounted two PET 2.5l water bottles and a third over and in front of the wheel stuffed with tools and spares. ...................
.............................On the flat I don't even know the trailer is there. Up hill, granny gear rules. I like the bent because I don't have to dismount when I stop on an incline. As long as you are in low-low for take off, you pull on the brakes and put the undercarriage down and rest, rehydrate and take some sugar. When the legs have stopped burning, you position the pedals and take off again. My loaded trailer tracks very well behind the Lynxx. On one smooth downhill on a recent trip, on a run of about 5km I clocked 69.1k/h. My tyres were new and the road smooth. I noticed on my mate's BoB, a warning not to exceed 20mph. There was no such warning on mine. In retro I wouldn't have liked to have a blow-out at that speed. I descend a little more cautiously now.................
RT


Roger,

Interesting to hear your traveling setup for your recumbent. Sounds like the Optima Lynxx is an ideal recumbent for touring. I also have a TW-Bents trailer, my selection was also primarily one of cost. Do you think the Yak is a substantially better trailer? I believe the TW is about 3lbs. heavier and often wondered how it compared to the more expensive BOB. What do you think your total weight is with the trailer you pull when touring? I have felt stable with mine in pulling it behind my AB HiRacer (TW-Bents) with 30 to 35 lbs plus trailer weight(22 kg w/trailer total).

The biggest concern for me outside of stability is the frame suitability of a recumbent in pulling a trailer. I imagine the Lynxx might be a stronger framed bike in the rear than a convential aluminum frame HiRacer or LowRacer. I just wonder if there is enough strength in back if you would ever have trailer twist hard due to some circumstance. I get a little squeamish even without a trailer when I get above 40 mph. Impressed that you went this speed pulling a loaded trailer and panniers.

Karjak

Karjak,
I've bee away for a week. Good to hear from you!
The Lynxx has an alloy frame. Mine has rear (standard) and front (optional) suspension. It is pretty stable at speed. I pay particular attention to my steering when going downhill. I try hard to eliminate any wobbles and keep a straight track. It wouldn't take much to flip me off and skid me into a table drain on my butt with the rest of the road kill. I find I don't pull a trailer downhill. It pushes me and I am glad I installed front and rear disc brakes as I use them a lot. I am impressed with the aerodynamics of my loaded rig. The rear Paniers are tucked in behind me as is the seat back pack. The trailer tucks right in behind. On my mate's Surly Long Haul Trucker, His front paniers and his whole body present to the wind. He has the aerodynamics of a brick with wheels. (He'll just love that metaphor) The one wheeled trailer is very stable in motion. It tracks beautifully. I have mine loaded up pretty full when I go. Probably 20-25kg all up. I try to get the heavy stuff low down, like the spare tyres, pump, fishing tackle, and the tools and my spare water is low mounted. The biggest volume is food. Dried protein, carbs, fibre etc take up heaps of space. I kind of like the Bob Ibex with its shockie. I wonder if the gear he carries appreciates the smoother ride. I also wonder what I would leave behind to acommodate the weight of the shockie if push came to shove. The only problem I had with my TW on my last big trip was the fancy nut tightening arrangement on the top of the swivel arm came off in tiger country and I wasn't able to find the nut despite a 500m backtrack and a careful search. LUCKILY, the trailer is bolted together and I was able to use one of the little side bolt nylocks which just happened to be the same size as the one I lost. I used a cable tie to replace the small frame top bolt. I always carry a few of these spare now too. My mate pointed out that that wouldn't happen with a Bob because they are all welded together. (Yeah but you can't fold a Bob flat either). The only other trouble I had was a bush rat chewed through the red bag to get at what was inside. I now have a patched bag and a rope to tie the bag up in a tree at night.
RT

Roger,

Thanks for pointing out the potential problem with the nut on the TW trailer. I will have to remember to take some extras along if and when I use trailer on next tour. Sounds exiting traveling through Austialia. Probably better to have an encounter with a Bush Rat than Tiger snake, right!

Of course I learned quite a bit by watching programs hosted by Steve Irwin on poisonous snakes in Australia. Imagine quite a bit of caution in making and breaking camp. Like others here in the USA, will greatly miss his passion and enthusiasm in describing our fellow earth creatures. Have you posted any of your journeys? I have my last Journey posted with my R200 SWB Trek R200 with rear suspension: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=2976&v=OE

Anyway would like to try next tour with my more aero LowRacer pulling my trailer. I think the key to having a trailer is getting it packed right and taking caution on rough surfaces going down hill or when encountering strong crosswind.

Have to remeber your philosophy that its all about the journey. Last trip was a little hurried as my riding partners had to be back for work. I was retired but am now working again. Want to do a cross country of US at 65. Autralia at 70?

Karjak

Karjak,
I just checked out your 20day trip. Pretty awesome. There were scanty pics of your bent. You were obviously the trip photographer so you got a lot of pics of them and only a few of you. How much gear did you carry? I didn't see any paniers on your bike.
I haven't posted any logs or pics anywhere yet because I've only been with forums for a month. frankly I don't know how to turn pics into urls etc. I'm a bit of a techno yutz but I'm getting the hang of it. I heard I had to post about a dozen replies before I could send pics, so I am biding my time.
Today I made a "glove box" for my bike. I cost one 2.4l pet juice bottle and 4 cable ties. (bloody expensive!) I cut the side out of the drink bottle and drilled 4 holes to accommodate 2 cable ties to strap it on top of the bike spar between the seat and the pedals. I mounted my bike computer with a couple of small cable ties on the sloping neck part of the bottle which elevated it off the spar where it was mounted between my legs. I can now see the screen without craning my neck and I have a receptacle for my scroggin, glasses, gloves and M&Ms etc. Another idea I had that worked well was to mount a hydration pack behind the bent seat. I used to carry a 2.5l water back pack on my MTB but it gave me sore shoulders after a few hours. I cable tied the back pack onto the rear of the seat and ride with the mouthpiece draped across my chest. I can still fit a seat-back panier behind the water. I fitted a one piece welded alloy rear pannier frame (made by Optima) on the bike and noticed there was lots of clearance between the rear wheel and the underside of the frame so I cut the flat side out of another 2.5l juice bottle and cabletied that one to the frame so it sits between the rear wheel and the panier frame. I carry a second bladder in that bottle if i need to carry extra water. We have a very large, dry continent and sometimes it is a long time between waterholes. Touring near the coast is no problem as there are plenty of creeks and rivers, but inland is another story.
We don't have any bears in Aus but we do have crocs. Crikey! Steve told you all about them mate!
Your 65/70 plan sounds attractive. There's a lot more bike trips on my Bucket List. My sister lives in Sydney and turns 60 in 2010 so I want to ride from here to there for her birthday in July. The trip is roughly 2500k and I reckon it will be like route 66. I start in the tropics after the wet and head south. I'm planning the trip on Google Earth.
I've just mucked about and got some pics attached..This will give you an idea of my rig. The other bike is a custom built Surly Long Haul TRucker. As you can see I am very patriotic. (flags) No, hopefully Aus traffic will avoid running over the national flag!! You can see the use I make of juice bottles on the bike and trailer.
gotta go
rt

Roger

Great pics of your rig. I like your ideas on storage, makes sense to design your own systems to fit your needs. I have mounted water behind seat in hydration packs similar to your way. On our trip we were able to use what were called "Platypus" bags as needed for extra water(lot nicer animal than Croc). They would fold down to almost nothing when not in use. The one time we ran out was when the town we planned to resupply at, had a drinking ban on water.

Last page on Crazy Guy journal generally describes what we carried. http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3Tzut&page_id=68059&v=66
I think my total weight with 2 large rear panniers was about 30 lbs. Had tent and some other gear also on the rear rack. If I use a trailer I would probably carry a little more. My kids carried food items, extra water, stove etc. Totally impressed on the amount you carry. You should really post your upcoming trip to Sydney on the CrazyGuyonaBike website. For my pics I upload all my digiatals to Photobucket and from there they can be linked onto almost any forum. Wishing you all the best on your future journeys.

Has anyone had any experience with the Nashbar cargo trailer. They are on sale for $99.

I've been toying with the idea of a trailer for touring as well. I'll admit a bit of wariness at the idea of a single wheeled trailer. The idea it might wobble from side to side and somehow twist rear fork.

I did finally find two wheeled trailers that seem to weigh the same as Bob trailers, but with a higher carry capacity.

http://www.burley.com/products/adventure/nomad.cfm

There's also a plain flatbed trailer that I'm kinda leaning too as well.

Right now, I'm just trying to find out if they'll work with my 20" wheel. *fingers crossed*

aenlaasu,
One wheeled trailers follow in the tread of the bike. I have a "TW Bents Bob style trailer" made in Taiwan. It cost me $250 au. Bob Yaks in Australia were $650 and the Ibex $750 when I bought mine.
If you are on a flat sealed road, you don't know it is there. On hard dirt roads it rides well too. I try to avoid sandy roads as my Lynxx is very unstable in sand. I get off and push in sand whether I have the trailer on or not. I have rigged up a steering rope from my USS bar to the back of my seat so I can push the back of the seat which is at waist height and steer at the same time without having to bend over too much. My trailer is very stable when loaded. I try to keep heavy items packed low and around the back wheel. I have mounted extra water bottles and my tool kit around the trailer wheel. I have mounted home made "glove boxes" on the hitch frame to stow first aid kit, sunscreen, staminade, toilet paper, matches, soap etc for easy access.
The hitch for the Bob and TW have a similar hook over mechanism but have a slightly different locking systems. Bobs are very simple and efficient. Mine is a bit more complicated with a spring loaded hitch lock. It came apart once and I lost the bits and had to manufacture a new hitch lock in my work shop. (I hadn't tightened a nylock far enough.)
I skidded out in sand once with my trailer on under load. The trailer hitch came undone and the hitch lug was bent down a few degrees. I rotated the axle pin and continued on without incident, pushing through sandy patches. When I got home, I took the pin out and straightened it. I always carry a spare trailer pin just in case I did severe damage to the first one. I haven't had to use it yet.
Check out "Extra Wheel Trailer" on Google. It is another concept.
I haven't had any experience with 2W trailers. I checked them out online and I was not impressed with the one side hitch or the seat post hitch. The wide footprint of the 2W was another negative for me. I had debated whether to go trike or bike initially and I decided on bike for footprint reasons. I am very happy with the setup I have. You have to sort out what is best for you and go for it.
Happy cycling
rt

aenlaasu,
One wheeled trailers follow in the tread of the bike. I have a "TW Bents Bob style trailer" made in Taiwan. It cost me $250 au. Bob Yaks in Australia were $650 and the Ibex $750 when I bought mine.
If you are on a flat sealed road, you don't know it is there. On hard dirt roads it rides well too. I try to avoid sandy roads as my Lynxx is very unstable in sand. I get off and push in sand whether I have the trailer on or not. I have rigged up a steering rope from my USS bar to the back of my seat so I can push the back of the seat which is at waist height and steer at the same time without having to bend over too much. My trailer is very stable when loaded. I try to keep heavy items packed low and around the back wheel. I have mounted extra water bottles and my tool kit around the trailer wheel. I have mounted home made "glove boxes" on the hitch frame to stow first aid kit, sunscreen, staminade, toilet paper, matches, soap etc for easy access.
The hitch for the Bob and TW have a similar hook over mechanism but have a slightly different locking systems. Bobs are very simple and efficient. Mine is a bit more complicated with a spring loaded hitch lock. It came apart once and I lost the bits and had to manufacture a new hitch lock in my work shop. (I hadn't tightened a nylock far enough.)
I skidded out in sand once with my trailer on under load. The trailer hitch came undone and the hitch lug was bent down a few degrees. I rotated the axle pin and continued on without incident, pushing through sandy patches. When I got home, I took the pin out and straightened it. I always carry a spare trailer pin just in case I did severe damage to the first one. I haven't had to use it yet.
Check out "Extra Wheel Trailer" on Google. It is another concept.
I haven't had any experience with 2W trailers. I checked them out online and I was not impressed with the one side hitch or the seat post hitch. The wide footprint of the 2W was another negative for me. I had debated whether to go trike or bike initially and I decided on bike for footprint reasons. I am very happy with the setup I have. You have to sort out what is best for you and go for it.
Happy cycling
rt

Thanks for the input, Roger! :)

I'm still debating it, but admittedly I am leaning toward the 2W mostly in terms of weight distribution. I'm an Athena so anything that will help keep packing weight off the rear wheel of my trike is a bonus. One of the guys who runs the company producing my trike has run with the kiddie trailer version of the nomad and thinks it would be better at least until I've dropped a few more pounds. Also, since I do have a trike _and_ a heavy duty running bar for the dog which adds to the space I need to pass things any way, the footprint of the trailer isn't really an issue.

I just checked out the Nomad homeless trailer. Excellent concept. Now to build one on a unitrailer:)
rt

Merry xmas everyone!
rt