trickcunningham

I've been reading some posts around, but never found the answer I was looking for. I am going for a weekend trip, just a few days, about 160-200 miles, camping over night, and I was wondering if I could get advice about kid trailers; I'm wondering if I could use one of those to haul my gear instead of buying a full out trailer, for a few reasons.
1. The kid trailer holds about 100 pounds, where as most trailers that are under 400 bucks only old like 75.
2. I can get a used kid trailer for about 50 bucks of CL.
The biggest thing I'm worried about is fitting my tent and bigger objects in the trailer.
Does anyone have experience with this? Some advice to lend?

Also, aside from short trips on the bike, I'd be using the trailer for everyday stuff, grocery shopping, etc.

StephenH

I remember seeing a picture of Tom Stormcrow touring with such a trailer, so it's been done.

I made my own trailer, and also discovered I don't like pulling trailers!

masiman

I'd check the touring forum.

Varying answers on touring with a trailer. Like backpacking, the more space you have, the more stuff you can and will carry. Not necessarily a good thing when you have to move it all under your power.

For general touring, the single wheel trailers seem to be preferred (Bob trailers, etc.). They carry a decent amount of weight, roll easier and their smaller size sometimes has an advantage over two wheel trailers.

But for the general utility aspect, you might be better off with a two wheel trailer.

trickcunningham

Thanks for the responses. I did check the touring forum, but figured there might be more people with kid trailers here.
I'm debating on whether or not to build my own. There is a really good, yet simple, trailer I found on instructables.com so I may give that a go as well.

alicestrong

Nice thread. I just bought an InStep Pronto at a yard sale for hauling groceries and such. First thing, it seems to need some kind of flooring.

Check the Utility Forum, also.

My dog enjoyed a ride to the park...

MilitantPotato

I'd do it, remove the seat and don't use the cover and you'll cut way down on the wind resistance. If you're doing a quick trip, and also need a cheap abusable grocery getter, the Schwinn or InStep (same trailer, really) sold at Toys-R-Us, Target, or Walmart is an OK buy. Buying it for ~$70 used would be a great buy IMO.

It has worked very well for us for about a year of being car free getting 100-150lbs of groceries every two weeks.

It's not the most robust attachment to the bike though, the spring wears out after a couple thousand miles or so, so if you take it across country, bring an extra or two. I vote buy a better trailer for that though.

If you're not planning on towing kids, and just want it for touring or hauling, this is a far sturdier and an all around better buy.
https://www.wicycle.com/cargo_large_bicycle_trailer.php
Use bungee netting and dry bags and you're set.
$50 more gets you this, which is less suited for hauling, more for touring, from what they say. https://www.wicycle.com/sport_touring...le_trailer.php

alicestrong

Did you put a floor in it?

MilitantPotato

Nope. Just took the seat out since putting a floor in would be a huge hassle. If it rips I'll be adding a floor, axle, and re-enforcing the frame.

I will say that with 150+ lbs of groceries, the wheels flex out quite a lot on bumps. I'd not recommend going over 80-100lbs often if you want the trailer to last.

badmother

Try the utlty forum! Plenty trailer stuff, DIY and ready bought ones. Also you fnd longtails (DIY and others) that s much better for hauling stuff in my opinion.