Can I? should I?
 

Hi all,

Question: Can I hook a Burly travoy to a child double trailer (mastercycle)?? Is this even a good idea?

Reason: on my way home I usually pick up the kids in the trailer and finish my semi hilly (20% gradish) trip home, maybe 5-7 miles. I have a cannondale law enforcement 3 and I usually have to carry large bulky items sometimes not too heavy just bulky. I have small-medium panniers and a rack but sometimes its not enough. Im on a budget, if I could I would get an xtracycle and call it a day.

Suggestions/comments??

The Travoy is a seatpost mount, so how could you possibly mount it to the trailer?? I'm sure some tinkerer could fab a pseudo seatpost to the trailer, but practically, this is a not possible and a bad idea.

My first thought thought is to move one of the kids from the trailer (to the bike via something like a WeeRide Kangaroo so you can still use panniers), and use the extra seat in the trailer for items.

Another idea just occurred to me: since these parcels aren't heavy, could you secure a cargo net to the back of the trailer (from the handle at the top, and the frame at the sides and bottom) to use a sling-type catch?

If you could load the sling through the space between the top of the trailer and the handle, that'd allow you to do a more-or-less permanent mount of the net with something like zip ties, or if you wanted more flexibility, maybe you could secure the net to the handle with hooks or carabiners that would allow you to detach part of it to get bigger packages in there.

The cargo net I'm thinking of is one of those types used in car trunks for securing parcels. Often they have a thick bungee cord or non-stretching cord around the perimeter which could give you something more substantial than the webbing itself to secure to the trailer.

Anyway, it's just an idea, but it may be worthwhile to play with.

That is a good idea, I would have to see how much weight something like that can handle.

I dont think the weeride kanagroo would fit my bill, since Im sure I would have to ride bow legged, it doesnt sound fun going up my hills here. Guess I'll keep saving for now. Wish they made a double weehoo version.

5-7 miles of a 20% grade is not what I'd consider "semi hilly". Thats a serious commute. I like Chaadster's idea about the child seat.

Agreed! I have a section of what my garmin thinks is a 20% grade on my commute, and that sucker is *steep*. Fortunately, it's only for 5 blocks... 5-7 miles of something like that must take you a good hour, more while towing kids.

How bulky are we talking? For light-but-bulky-things, I usually just strap them on to my back rack with bungy cords. It's amazing how much you can get to fit. I've also been keeping an eye out for a milk crate to stick on there, but I'm guessing that's too small for your needs.

If your current trailer hitches up near the drop out instead of the seat post, then possibly try some Donkey Boxx panniers. They are tested to 30# capacity, and the lids provide a wider, flatter area than the rack platform. And you could also wedge something into the space between the boxes. Use cargo nets as you see fit.

Edit: That weight rating is non-scientific, performed by the designer, and for one unit. Double check the weight limit on your rack, as some of the cheaper ones aren't rated up to 60 lbs.

thanks guys, it does help. Well im in luck I contacted xtracycle and they will ship to me (APO address). I think I can hold out until tax time lol.

In the mean time I actually did rig up the net to the handle bars, two actually. The second is to sandwich my contents. So far so good...except for the hills lol.