Cheap cargo trailers
 

Seen a number of cheap cargo trailers around 100 dollars sold on Ebay and other websites. They have 16" or 20" wheels, covers and claim to have a 180 lb capacity. They are sold under a number of different names most prominent is Aosom. As they are made in China I am wary of the weight claim and quality comtrol. Anybody have any experience with on of these trailers?

They're serviceable for extended grocery hauls. Think of them as the poor man's Xtracycle. Just for those occasions when a rear rack and panniers aren't enough for the job.

Look on Amazon. They have the same trailers with customer ratings of the product. You'll find a bunch of reviews from customers.

http://www.bikeforums.net/utility-cy...d-cheap-d.html

Just sayin....

Build Your own from the kit :

Do It Yourself Bike Trailer Kit | Wike Bicycle Trailers - The Walk and Bike Company
Good read below:
SD Bike Commuter - Bicycle Trailers

Hit up yard sales and thrift stores. Might find a quality brand for a fraction of the price.

Aaron :)

I took a chance on an Aosom off of ebay. Your quality control concerns are valid. When I tried to assemble the trailer I discovered that one of the trailer wheel axles didn't fit through the wheel. It wasn't machined properly. I've heard that the tires and wheels are crap. Also, I wasn't crazy about the design. There aren't many spots to latch bungie cords onto, particularly at the height of the flatbed. I'm returning mine to the ebay seller.

The wheel does seem to be the Achilles' Heel of the Aosom single wheel cargo trailer (SWCT). One account suggests that the rather clever suspension system (placing Aosom in the mid-range between an Ibex at the top and Rage Powersports or Revolution further down the list) was designed for a 100 psi tyre on a non-radial spoke wheel, the cheapo substitute less able to provide a smoother ride when carrying heavier loads. There is also the cheap and nasty red dry bag that pales in comparison with its rivals. Still, my Aosom SWCT works reasonably well although I will buy a better wheel when the opportunity arises. Of more concern is whether the steel frame was treated -- if not it may need a rustproofing paint job with something like a POR-15 starter kit.

This:

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Hit up yard sales and thrift stores. Might find a quality brand for a fraction of the price.

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Cheap Or Better is all about what the Importer writing the contract with the manufacturer demands .

I made my trailer in a weekend with simple hand tools and recycled materials I scrounged for free. Cost? About $25

Anyone can built this trailer by following the plans......... (carries over 100 lbs with ease)

Build a Bicycle Trailer - Do It Yourself - MOTHER EARTH NEWS

ADDED.........
DO NOT use OSB or any other pressed board to build this trailer!!!! Use 3/8 or better plywood!!

I would say it depends on what you plan to carry. While Burley's are expensive, you can often find them pretty cheap used. The plus side is it'll somewhat protect what's in it from the elements.

I don't personally have experience with 'cheap' flatbed trailers, but I agree with [MENTION=326911]osco53[/MENTION] and [MENTION=11263]Nightshade[/MENTION], about considering building your own (I'd personally use bamboo, as it's light, strong, cheap, easy to work with, and easily repairable), if you're at all handy.

There are some pretty cool examples here: The Bamboo bicycle trailer & DIY bicycle trailers | MAKE

Keep us posted!

One can often fund used kid's trailers for quite cheap.

The Aosom trailers look nice. A couple of comments though.

I much prefer the trailers with a frame that extends all the way around the wheels. It provides more protection for the wheels, but also is a much stronger design, especially with heavier loads.

I find the spring hinge to be exceptionally annoying, especially when pulling heavy loads uphill (and standing) when they create a surging motion. However, I will admit that the spring may have made it less traumatic when I wrecked my trailer.

I was pushing about 17 MPH along the side of the street, empty (ex kids's) trailer, at dusk. A right turn lane took off, and there was a low curb that I didn't see dividing the turn lane (for some unknown reason). Anyway, the right tire hit the curb, and flipped the trailer upside-down. A non swivelling connection could have thrown me hard. As it was, everything just seemed funky when I found the trailer upside-down behind me. But, no real damage to anything.