Kid trailer for cargo purposes
 

instead of panniers I think my wife and I are going to go with a trailer. My question: is there any reason that I would not want to get a kid trailer to haul our cargo instead of a trailer that is intended for cargo only? Two reasons for this idea, 1) there are always kid trailer for private sale and 2) when we have kids we already have a trailer for them!
What do you think?

There are pros and cons, depending on what you do:

– A BOB has a single wheel, which makes it better in tight situations (ex.: offroad), but not necessarily on asphalt.

– A small cargo trailer (ex.: Burley Nomad) still carries more than what you need on tour; yet it's narrower and lower, and therefore has less drag in the wind. In a headwind, a 2-children trailer is a very good parachute!

– Many child trailers can't be loaded from the top. That's not a problem for touring, but could be a problem if you want to carry heavy cargo from the store.


Basically, I had a 2-kid trailer that was used for a child and lots of cargo runs for about 5 years (year-round use). When the kid was older and the cargo needed lots of maintenance and repairs, I preferred to spend the money on a cargo trailer than on new hubs and new fabric for the old trailer.

The only thing I can add to Michel's post is that since the child trailer has a seat, it's *slightly* harder to load large horizontal items because of the uneven floor. Also, the floor is usually soft flexible fabric, so it is not as durable as a rigid bottom trailer.

On my old Burley, I can partially remove the top to create less of a "sail effect"...but it's a compromise.

On a positive note, using a child trailer gets more respect from drivers. Hitting a baby is a definite no-no.

FWIW, Burley trailers have a great removable hitch and their re-sale value is high.

A 2-seater child trailer is about as heavy and wide a trailer as you'll find, and that can be a drag. Literally.

Take a good look at how the trailer is constructed, paying close attention to whether the cover can be removed to reduce the sail effect, and if the seat/footwell configuration allows for useful packing space or removed to create it. If it's all fabric, press the bottom to see how much it will sag when loaded.I had a plastic bottomed single seat trailer and the whole roll cage and cover could be removed creating a fairly useful cargo hauler, with a few straps and a tarp over it all. I also had a fabric 2-seater that weighed more, was much wider and made a great anchor. Great for around town, but I'm not sure you'd be happy lugging it on tour.

Be picky and poke around, and if you buy one you hate don't hesitate to resell it. Pulling the wrong trailer will make you miserable fast.