Utility Cycling - How good (bad) are the kmart bike trailers?

I'm looking at getting a bike trailer for carting my groceries and pellet fuel fire (I live less than 2km from both the hardware shop & supermarket). Bike trailer, including kitset trailers are expensive here (roughly $300.00 and up).

I was in K-mart looking at the price of tubes for one of my bikes and noticed that they had bike trailers for $170. It is the two-wheeled kiddy style trailer rated at loads of up to 44 kilos but a maximum speed of only 10kmh. Does anyone have any idea how bad they are compared to a better trailer?

Would this be suitable to use for general goods cartage? Would they be safe above 10kmh? Would it cause problems towing it behind my small wheeled fixie?:D Or should I stop buying other old bikes and save up for a better trailer?

BTW, I can get tubes cheaper at my LBS than I could at K-mart, so I'll pick up some tubes from there.

Thinking out loud, you mightn't want to take it to a club race, but I'd think typical road speeds would be fine for it (i.e. under 15-20 mph), and if it's strong enough to hold a child, it should be strong enough to hold pellets.

Incidentally, is this something like what you were looking at?

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

because if it is, I was thinking about getting one for my own use - 100 lbs? Plenty for me.

Thinking out loud, you mightn't want to take it to a club race, but I'd think typical road speeds would be fine for it (i.e. under 15-20 mph), and if it's strong enough to hold a child, it should be strong enough to hold pellets.

Incidentally, is this something like what you were looking at?

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

because if it is, I was thinking about getting one for my own use - 100 lbs? Plenty for me.

Have that model, use for cat litter/food. It doesn't have a solid floor. The kiddies are suspended in a hammock type setup so you may want to rig something as flooring.

Thinking out loud, you mightn't want to take it to a club race, but I'd think typical road speeds would be fine for it (i.e. under 15-20 mph), and if it's strong enough to hold a child, it should be strong enough to hold pellets.

Incidentally, is this something like what you were looking at?

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

because if it is, I was thinking about getting one for my own use - 100 lbs? Plenty for me.


It is very similar. This one has normal spoked 16" wheels.



Have that model, use for cat litter/food. It doesn't have a solid floor. The kiddies are suspended in a hammock type setup so you may want to rig something as flooring.

I'll probably use the trailer as is, until the floor gets a bit worn then put a hard floor in.

I would think that trailer should suit your purposes. But I also think you might find a used kiddie trailer very similar, or even better, second hand at a yard sale.

Some of the other folks on BF have done some very cool things with used kiddie trailers.

Yeah, the only issue is that the hitch is kind of sucky, so you may need to buy/fabricate a replacement.

Yeah, the only issue is that the hitch is kind of sucky, so you may need to buy/fabricate a replacement.

I'll have a closer look at the hitch and if I think that is going to be problematic, then I'll look at other options.


I would think that trailer should suit your purposes. But I also think you might find a used kiddie trailer very similar, or even better, second hand at a yard sale.

Some of the other folks on BF have done some very cool things with used kiddie trailers.

I'd like to buy a used quality trailer, but not many people seem to use one in NZ. Those that do tend to sell them on the local version of ebay, and often only have local pickup. The ones that have come up for sale locally haven't been any cheaper, or I haven't bid high enough.:o

they have kmart in NZ cool.

I've used a Instep Duo Cruiser kiddie trailer since 2001, bought new at Target. No problems with it (other than the cover rotting away and a few flat tires) I've had well over the 100 pound load limit in it, and have exceeded 10 MPH with it many times. So far have only put 8,000 miles on it. For what it is worth, the polyurethane hitch has been trouble free, no cracks or any other signs of failure.

i got the same instep trailer, new, off of ebay for $55 shipped. can't go wrong with a price like that. i'm going to remove the fabric shell and put some lath decking in there.

the only thing i don't like is the hitch, which when unattached to the bike wants to rest at a 45 degree off axis from the bike axle. it puts a lot of torsional tension between the bike and trailer when mounted, and i think it contributes to increased drag. a more expensive ball-and-socket hitch would be better. still, at $55 shipped i shouldn't complain.