Recreational & Family - Toppled the trailer twice on Saturday.

Here's a little back ground information. My daughter is 3 and about 35lbs. We've done about 2-3 dozen little bike rides together all without incident. The trailer is a Schwinn two seater. I pull her behind either my '83 Stump Jumper or my '03 Fuji Roubaix.

On Saturday I was pulling her with my road bike. We were coming off a bridge and making a right turn.
I probably cut the corner a little too much and she and the trailer turned onto its left side. Scared the crap out of all of us. Luckily she had her helmet on - she wasn't hurt and little damage to the trailer. Just a little scratch on the frame and tear on the fabric.

Not more than 4 miles later I'm making another right turn and again the trailer flips on its side. Incidentally, she was sitting on the left side so I can understand that the weight and energy would lend itself to that kind of event.

But It's never happened before and twice in that short of span leads me to believe that other factors might have been at work - shifting of body weight as we turned - Exceeding weight limit - angle of the road - or perhaps the trailer is bent and not riding properly - etc.

Anyone else have this happen - or ideas...
Thanks

I also have a Schwinn Trailer. If you read the manual you will see that a single child is supposed to go in the middle position, at least on mine they are. Not sure if that is what caused it but that is a start.

I think it is pretty hard to tip a trailer. With both of my kids inside, i can get pretty wild with it and have never tipped it. THey like me to whip it from side to side, it makes them laugh and giggle.

Sit the child in the middle, or if you can't do that in your trailer, use the right side because left-hand turns are less tight than right-hand ones.

I suspect that the first time, you might have used a curb, stone, etc. under the right wheel as a launching pad. I also suspect that your daughter might have swung the trailer the second time.

Definitely position the child in the middle of the trailer. Also, check the hitch, I don't know about the Schwinn, but some trailers use a hitch than inhibits the trailer tilting at too severe of an angle relative to the bike. Don't turn quickly and watch that the inner trailer wheel doesn't hit something. I've towed a Burley Solo (which is narrow) for countless miles and never had it tip.

What are you worried about. I don't think she will ever want to go for a ride again. :rolleyes:

Beyond putting the child in the middle, have you considered weighting it down a little bit more for added stability?

Koffee