Originally Posted by
SkiAddict1
My trailer is attached on both sides to the axle skewer, so I have to be behind it and take them off both at once (that is, if I understand what you're saying -- I don't understand what the tongue is, to be honest). I saw the "jack-knife" method of parking the Bob the other day, and yes I can always use that if I have to, but (a) I have RSI in my wrists and pulling it out of that on a smooth surface was not remotely easy (and I'll be on gravel) and (b) I'd rather not damage the trailer!
EDIT: with "tongue", are you saying that you pull the axle skewer all the way out and simply let the trailer fall to the ground??? In which case how do you hitch it up? I'm looking for both how to unhitch and hitch.
The "tongue" of a trailer is the bit that attaches to the towing vehicle. In the case of single wheel bicycle trailers it's more of a "yoke" (although BOB calls it a "fork). Whatever you call it, it's the bit that attaches the trailer to the bike...but it isn't the quick release skewer.
My trailer is a Yakima which is a copy of the Bob. It has a slightly different attachment but it's very similar to the BOB. To attach it, I pull the trailer up close to the bike. I then lean the bike against me and, while facing back towards the trailer, I drop the "yoke" (tongue, fork, whatever) onto the skewer. I have hairpin cotter pins to keep it from bouncing off.
To remove the trailer, I remove the cotter pins, lean the bike up against me again, reach down and pull the trailer "fork" up off the skewer. It's easy peasy. Just like when you lean the bike up against something.
Go practice it without a load. You'll get the hang of it pretty quickly.