New (to us) Grocery Getter
09-21-11, 10:11 AM
#1
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New (to us) Grocery Getter
...and laundry transportation, errand runner etc.
A couple of months ago, just as we were leaving for the airport I checked Craigslist and found an ad for a bike trailer for $20. Asked my wife to go check it out if it was still available when she got back from dropping me off. She called me and said "It looks to be in good condition. Says 'Burley' on it, do you want it?"
Me: "Oh hell yeah! Get it!"
So... after a bit of plywood, paint and hardware:
Whoops, almost forgot, also a Sterilite 45 Gallon plastic tub, conveniently Halloween-colored for high visibility.
A couple of months ago, just as we were leaving for the airport I checked Craigslist and found an ad for a bike trailer for $20. Asked my wife to go check it out if it was still available when she got back from dropping me off. She called me and said "It looks to be in good condition. Says 'Burley' on it, do you want it?"
Me: "Oh hell yeah! Get it!"
So... after a bit of plywood, paint and hardware:
Whoops, almost forgot, also a Sterilite 45 Gallon plastic tub, conveniently Halloween-colored for high visibility.
09-21-11, 11:47 AM
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And it appears that the kitty is interested too. Nice find!
09-21-11, 12:01 PM
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09-22-11, 01:57 PM
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Very nice!!! Just wait till you start loading furniture on it
09-22-11, 04:28 PM
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09-22-11, 06:57 PM
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In the right lane
Nice job.
I have an old Instep trailer. I'm pretty sure I could never strip it down like you have. I think they call the design (politely) "monocoque", i.e., held together by plastic.
I have an old Instep trailer. I'm pretty sure I could never strip it down like you have. I think they call the design (politely) "monocoque", i.e., held together by plastic.
09-22-11, 07:40 PM
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I do as well (an In-Step I got for $30) and placed support (leftover plastic hurricane shutter screwed to the aluminum frame) under the canvas and we load 80 pounds - two dogs.
09-22-11, 08:36 PM
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My old trailer started life as one of those - I stripped everything off of the fiberglass tub and mounted them on a piece of plywood that I mounted the cargo box on, worked fine. I've actually still got it in storage in California, but the bearing are shot (again) in the hubs, and the polymer wheels have micro-cracks all through 'em, so I don't trust it with a load anymore.
09-22-11, 10:24 PM
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09-23-11, 03:07 AM
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Schwinn Varsity was $5 at a different garage sale.
Good combo for grocery runs.
09-23-11, 10:36 AM
#11
In the right lane
09-23-11, 10:38 AM
#12
In the right lane
My old trailer started life as one of those - I stripped everything off of the fiberglass tub and mounted them on a piece of plywood that I mounted the cargo box on, worked fine. I've actually still got it in storage in California, but the bearing are shot (again) in the hubs, and the polymer wheels have micro-cracks all through 'em, so I don't trust it with a load anymore.
09-23-11, 10:39 AM
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That's basically what my current trailer looked like before I disassembled it and took all the fabric off.
09-23-11, 11:36 AM
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09-23-11, 05:54 PM
#15
In the right lane
Those models will still be kicking around 50 years from now. I know they're heavy, but the components and frame are indestructible. Great bicycle for grocery getting... Not sure how long that trailer will make it... though it looks like an upgrade compared to mine.
09-24-11, 08:15 AM
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It was an upgrade from this trailer which was bought newin Germany for either $40 or 40DM. I know it was 40 something before the Euro came on the scene. Used it for ten years or so before the plastic wheel got bent and would no longer keep the 12" tire mounted. The bike (a 5 speed Sachs IGH) was a freebee dumpster find in Heidelberg.
09-24-11, 11:22 AM
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Because of the weird axle arrangement with that one, replacement wheels I'd probably have to have built... and considering the cost of having it shipped from California, it's just not worth it. The new trailer cost a grand total of $35 and a little sweat.
