Utility Cycling - Croozer cargo trailer - anyone have one?

I've been keeping an eye out for a cargo trailer (and contemplating building one, but the hitch part intimidates the hell out of me) for nearly a year now. I may still try to build one myself, but I just ran across the Croozer brand and they look like a distinct possibility. The first Croozer I saw was a kids trailer that looked WAY more solid than most I've seen!

For cargo, there is a flatbed model (http://www.fairfieldbicycle.com/pages-standard/products.php?product_id=1563)and one that looks like a miniature covered wagon (http://www.fairfieldbicycle.com/pages-standard/products.php?product_id=1562) or a souped-up child's wagon :); I like that small one. It was listed at $199 US on one site, 1/3 less than the Burley Flatbed, and it looks just about ideal for my needs.

The cargo capacity of the Croozer Cargo (small trailer) is listed at 65 lb, similar to a Bob trailer but more stable with 2 wheels. It doesn't carry as much as a Burley flatbed, but seriously, I doubt I will need to carry 100 pounds of stuff anytime soon. Plus I like the looks of the smaller trailer! Apparently the hitch arm swings up to use it as a handcart more easily (big plus).

I would most likely use the trailer for grocery runs and laundromat trips, as well as (hopefully) transporting my jewellery to local craft fairs and the farmer's market to sell. I'll have to come up with a folding table or something for display.

Does anyone have this trailer, or have you test-driven one? What do you think? And then the question is whether there's a dealer in Calgary...

I've been keeping an eye out for a cargo trailer (and contemplating building one, but the hitch part intimidates the hell out of me) for nearly a year now. I may still try to build one myself, but I just ran across the Croozer brand and they look like a distinct possibility. The first Croozer I saw was a kids trailer that looked WAY more solid than most I've seen!

For cargo, there is a flatbed model (http://www.fairfieldbicycle.com/pages-standard/products.php?product_id=1563)and one that looks like a miniature covered wagon (http://www.fairfieldbicycle.com/pages-standard/products.php?product_id=1562) or a souped-up child's wagon :); I like that small one. It was listed at $199 US on one site, 1/3 less than the Burley Flatbed, and it looks just about ideal for my needs.

The cargo capacity of the Croozer Cargo (small trailer) is listed at 65 lb, similar to a Bob trailer but more stable with 2 wheels. It doesn't carry as much as a Burley flatbed, but seriously, I doubt I will need to carry 100 pounds of stuff anytime soon. Plus I like the looks of the smaller trailer! Apparently the hitch arm swings up to use it as a handcart more easily (big plus).

I would most likely use the trailer for grocery runs and laundromat trips, as well as (hopefully) transporting my jewellery to local craft fairs and the farmer's market to sell. I'll have to come up with a folding table or something for display.

Does anyone have this trailer, or have you test-driven one? What do you think? And then the question is whether there's a dealer in Calgary...
I used to sell the Croozer line when I had my shop, and I still have the covered cargo trailer and a 2 kid child trailer for hauling my grandchildren around. They are a good solid unit, and because they are distributed by Chariot Carriers, there is excellent warranty and parts availability support. I say go for it.
Chariot is headquartered in Calgary, so I'd be mighty surprized if you couldn't find one there. Do you have Sport Check stores in town. The reason I dropped the line was because they picked them up.
Edit: After posting this, I did a grocery run with the Croozer. Here's a couple of pics.
http://cid-c5aa741102f41823.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/My%20Bikes/Grocery%20run%20with%20the%20Croozer%20005.jpg
http://cid-c5aa741102f41823.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/My%20Bikes/Grocery%20run%20with%20the%20Croozer%20004.jpg
A great little trailer I tell ya.

I did not know they are distributed by Chariot! OK, there are a lot of stores that have Chariots in town. I'll go in and ask in person. The email responses I have gotten have not been encouraging. But I have tomorrow off and should be able to get some solid information.

There are some Sport Check stores in town - I bought my first bike at one! Several have closed lately though. I think Wal-Mart got them :(

Thanks very much fpor the parts and warranty information, too.

Got one! Pics soon. I looked at the Burley Flatbed and the Nomad first; I liked the Nomad's interior pockets (great organizational idea) and how light they both were, but the fabric bottoms still made me nervous. I also didn't like how WIDE the flatbed is! It's nearly square!

Then I went and looked at a Croozer Cargo at Sport Check. They had quoted me $249 on the phone, which was pretty ridiculous given that Cyclepath had the Burleys for $279 (flatbed) and $345 (Nomad) and gives 10% off for cycle club members! But I knew I needed to see it in person.

It actually turned out to be $149 for the Croozer, and its footprint is about the same as the Nomad. For $200 less I figured what the hey, I will run it around this summer and see whether I use it enough to justify moving up to the Nomad later. It's definitely not the same level of quality as the Burleys, especially in the stitching of the cover, but I can sew it up pretty easily if need be. It is heavier, too, but the frame and the hitch seem good and solid. Better than the Scwinn kids trailers I looked at in Canadian Tire.

So.... now I has a pick-em-up-truck! Er, bike! Hee.

(Only one snag. I hadn't brought the 13 mm wrench I needed to undo the axle nut on my Raleigh and mount the Croozer hitch to tow it home. So I had to call for backup and my bike trailer went home in the car. Oops!).

Do a google search on camping tables. I have a couple aluminum ones that roll up into a package the same size as a small folding chair (about 4" X 4", and 30" long.). I think they are about 30" square. Lite, and sturdy, flat, hard table top, pack small.

I bought them from Aldi Foods for about $17, as a special purchase. So they are out there.

Update: Have now been tooling around with the Croozer for a couple of weeks and I LOVE IT. I put a little piece of carpet inside to stop loose items rolling and rattling, and I've been hauling things all over the place. Had one rainstorm, and the cover did a pretty good job keeping most of the rain and mud out.

My friends have gone from thinking I am nuts to being pretty impressed with the whole idea.

Oops, I wanted to add a picture but I accidentally deleted it... must go find the camera again.