Recreational & Family - Surly Long Haul Trucker frameset feedback; others to consider with a road geometry.

With our two children in K and Pre-K, I'm looking to build a road bike that can pull a Chariot CX1 that I plan on purchasing for the baby. I'd like take him out with me when I can and only plan on riding the NYC westside greenway, cross island mup, paved trails, pretty much anything car free when I have the baby in tow. I thought about a mtb frameset/build but I really want to stick to a road specific geometry and the Surly was one recommended by a friend.

Besides the Surly, I'd appreciate any feedback or recommendations on similar framesets that can accomodate a trailer such as the Chariots, Burleys, etc.

Any decent bike will work for a trailer - they don't put a very large load on the frame itself as the majority of weight is carried by the trailer wheels. You might, however, want to think about a bike that would work well with a triple crank, as the trailer weight will REALLY show up on hills!
Other than that, I'd say get a bike you would love to ride without the trailer too. As you know, kids grow up really fast.
Oh, and make sure they frame is setup for full fenders - nothing worse than showering your trailer in grit and grime.
I have a LHT and like it for the long wheelbase and low bottom bracket. It's also great when I load 50 lbs of groceries on it (this is where the frame construction matters most) but I'd also look at the Cross Check from Surly, the Double Cross from Soma, or Jamis Coda. They'd all be a little more lively than the LHT if you're not hauling cargo.

I love my Rivendell Sam Hillborne! Very versatile - it's a "country bike". But it is pricy compared to the others Rockfish mentioned: those are very good bikes too.

I have a friend that hauls two kids on the rack of his big dummy and the third one in a trailer. Sometimes one on the rack and two in the trailer.

I love my Rivendell Sam Hillborne! Very versatile - it's a "country bike". But it is pricy compared to the others Rockfish mentioned: those are very good bikes too.

I have a Sam too! Love it. But I assumed we were talking lower price-point here

Appreciate the feedback. I think I'll end up with the LHT and plan on installing a mix group of Sram pieces I have laying around. The price is just right since it will only be ridden when I have the baby and trailer in tow.

It's a great bike. That bicycle changed my whole perspective on cycling. I pulled a chariot for a week at a time with that bike and both the bike and chariot were fully loaded. The bike with camping gear, the chariot with kid books, stuffed toys, and favorite pillows.