Trailer Max Weights
 

How much have you hauled in your trailer? I have never towed anything behind my bike. I've seen a few different configurations. Some folks have front and rear panniers -AND- tow a trailer. Does anyone here do that? How much gear-weight are we looking at total for gear on-bike and in-trailer? What is the most (weight) that you've seen people carry in their trailers? I'm gathering data for a future project, and I would really appreciate any info/insight/commentary that I can get. Thanks!

ExtraWheel
 

I recently acquired an Extrawheel with a view to being more comfortable off road.

I typically tour with 2 panniers front, 2 rear and a rackbag, typical weight is +/- 25 kg.

With the Extrawheel, I now set up with 2 rear panniers and 2 on the ExtraWheel. I'm also looking at removing or reducing the size of the rackbag and carrying my tent on the ExtraWheel top rack.

The max weight for the Extrawheel, is I believe, 30 kg, but I have read reviews from users who suggest that is impractical from a stability point of view.

I haven't carried more than maybe 15kg and once the bags are well balanced there was no problem. That would mean there's no more than 10 kg on the bike itself (excluding my good self :) )

Without the front panniers, the steering is far more responsive and lighter.

I'll leave the front rack on. In testing, on steep climbs where I have to push the bike it is very difficult, especially on loose ground. Taking the panniers off the Extrawheel and putting them on the front makes it far more manageable.

front+rear panniers+bob trailer. max total weight of bike+gear loaded with 20 liters water was 175 pounds, plus 185 pounds of beefcake motor.

total maximum weight on the wheels was probably close to 400 pounds, but of course usually less than that, more likely closer to 350.

wheelset was 48-spoke 4x phil hubs, 7spd freewheel, sun cr18 700c rims. rear rim failed halfway through, replaced with a sun rhynolite.

18-month tour of nz/oz, around 20k km.

I do a lot of utility riding, and use 2 wheel Kid's trailers a lot (plus a custom trailer for the big stuff).

For the kid's trailers, they do best with < 100 lbs, although, some of the vintage ones with a full wrap around frame and quick release wheels can go a bit heavier.

I have, on occasion, taken a trailer out on road trips (150 miles or so in a day), usually < 50 lbs, but I prefer to keep as much loaded on my bike as possible without a trailer.

I've retired my BOB trailer but when I used it I would carry about the same weight that I would carry in two rear panniers + whatever was placed on top of the rack...20-25 pounds. I'd also use small front panniers for quick grab day time items. I may have exceeded this limit during a trip on the Great Divide. When I used to lead ACA TransAm tours using the BOB I would often be recruited to help haul groceries for 13 a short distance from store back to camp. When loaded beyond 50 pounds it would be quite flexy and unstable!

TransAm alternate route over Gibbon's Pass MT...

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6244eb75ab.jpg

Like CK, it's around town when I put weight in the trailer

hauled a old TV to the Charity shop in mine a big old CRT one..

I tour with a dog as you all know. I have front panniers, rear panniers and dog trailer. . I have 7kgs usually in the front(food, water, tools) and top rack bag snacks map gas and cooking utensils camera Radio batteries 2way radio etc). about a kilo. in weight. Rear panniers - clothing extra food dog food extra water for dog, spares for bike and trailer towel, toilet paper, toilet trowel fishing gear water filter etc approx. 20kgs(extra water and dog food/ my food makes most of this weight) On top of rack Sleep system and tent 5 kgs . Trailer weight 12kgs ( dog weight 7kgs Plus if I am doing an outback trip with little chance of finding water easily usually 15 litres of extra water(15 kgs), Bike weighs 11kgs and I weigh 65kgs so all up about 140 kgs. It means although have a 34-34 granny gear I still have to walk some hills, but that is only if I am touring locally Approx 400km. If I travel out to outback there is only 2 hills I have to walk on the way there. Then it is mainly flat. I do have enjoyable trips with my dog.

Is that a make up kit on top??? :eek:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ebe3e6738b.jpg

Well, that is 120 pounds of trailer for a 100 mile tour RT, but that's ONLY because we couldn't disconnect the kitchen sink in time...

Yes, that IS a stand pump on top...
Yes, I do own smaller hand pumps AND CO2 cartridge inflators to boot...
No, SHE didn't carry a single thing...
Yes, I learned a lot...

Please be gentle...

I used an extraWheel trailer for my bike ride in Alaska, mainly because my CF adventure bike didn't like racks. Handlebar roll, frame bag, seat bag carried most of my necessary items. The heavy cargo: food and water, went in a pair of medium sized panniers on the trailer. Total weight of luggage and consumables was in the neighborhood of 25 pounds, not including the trailer. Towing doesn't impact the ride too much, as long as mountains are not on the route. If you do much climbing, you might wish you had gone ultralight instead of adding a trailer.

Is it tough to haul around 100+ lbs (trailer)?

not too bad on flat land, although, problems can arise in getting it stopped.