jscalia

Bike Friday TravelCase trailer users: what has been your overall experience with using this system? Does it work well? Is it reliable?

fietsbob

There are a couple forums just of Bike Friday folks.. [yak] thru google,
and another forum on the company website.. to join in on..

they adopted a industrial hose connection for a hitch ..
that is clever.. I used airtools in a shipyard
on the end of those connectors
the sealed bearing wheels are OK, I've got some on another trailer
But I dont own their suitcase trailer myself..

prathmann

I've had their suitcase/trailer since '94. It works fine and I haven't had any problems with it - but I think it's a bit overpriced. You should be able to find the suitcase for less and drill your own holes in it for the trailer attachment. The bike handles fine when towing the loaded trailer but I do notice a little push/pull cycle when going over bumps; and of course there's the added resistance when climbing hills. On most tours I still prefer to use panniers to avoid the extra weight of the suitcase and trailer - but it's been a nice option to have for trips where I needed to have the suitcase along.

As mentioned, the hitch is a standard fitting used for pneumatic tools. It attaches quickly and securely (mine has never come loose). In addition to using the suitcase/trailer on bike tours I've also used parts of it for a few other things. One was to attach some clamps to the trailer axle/wheels for use in transporting our daughter's full-size harp. Another was to add a sheet of plywood to convert it into a flatbed utility trailer (just drill 3 holes in the plywood for the attachment bolts and a few more holes at the edges for attaching straps/cords/bungees).

badmother

+1 on the bike Friday forums.

Only used homemade trailers based on the same system. Worked fine if traveling with a trailer is the best way for you. We use it when camping but also visiting museums and similar. Especially in places like Denmark where there is plenty bikes and therefor rules for where you can park them, often in a bikerack near the car park. You do not want to leave your luggage there and you do not want to carry the panniers around. Wheel the trailer to where you buy tickets and ask them to look after it. Becouse it does look more like a suitcase than a biketrailer it is possible.

System is also good if the riders weight is close to the weight limit for the bike, you can still bring plenty "stuff" with you.

We are just now making plywood tops to use on the trailer (minus suitcase). We used wheels from walkers and wheelchair axels/mounts in the axel for easy fitting and remowal. There is pix in an old thread here.

I bought a bigger, strong collapsable box from a Dutch company that is great to use on the flatbed since it folds down to approx 6 cms. My dog is used to travel in this box and the whole trailer folds down to a small bag (depending on the size of the plywood). Can be used for shopping.

mainstreetexile 

I'm interested in using my Travel Trailer for grocery shopping, but I'm concerned with the quick-release connector that someone could just disconnect it and walk away with it.

Does anybody have any advice for locking it or have any experience using it for grocery shopping etc?

alhedges

Disconnect it and run a lock through the suitcase handle.