Cargo Trailer..Thoughts!

[cnb]

Last year i (we) completed a tour of the Netherlands. We were camping and carried our gear in panniers and i also used a Burley Nomad trailer..It was my G/Fs first cycle tour and so the trailer enabled me to take a bit more stuff to make the trip more comfortable when camping..ie bigger tent,camping chairs(helinox folders)etc..We are going back this year and once again i'm considering a trailer..I sold the Burley as i didn't really get on with it..I found it was too wide on some of the narrow paths esp with other cyclists coming towards me..It also caused me to fall off my bike once when taking a sharp left turn and i caught my heel on the towbar..Anyway i'm rambling here..So i fancy either a single wheel BOB or Tout Terrain Mule and i was wondering if anyone had used either and could pass on their thoughts....Yes we can carry all the gear we are taking on the bikes but i'm trying to make life easier for she who must be kept happy..

 

[vernon]

Trailers are fine until you try to use UK trains. A lot of train operating companies won't accommodate them.

 

[oldwheels]

I use a BoB but find it does not take as much weight as advertised. I think it is advertised as taking up to 30kg but handling gets a bit hairy with too much in it and is best kept down not more than 18kg or preferably less.also depends on the bike. My MB can handle more weight than the road bike. A bit of flexing I think with the lighter bike.

 

[raleighnut]

Last year i (we) completed a tour of the Netherlands. We were camping and carried our gear in panniers and i also used a Burley Nomad trailer..It was my G/Fs first cycle tour and so the trailer enabled me to take a bit more stuff to make the trip more comfortable when camping..ie bigger tent,camping chairs(helinox folders)etc..We are going back this year and once again i'm considering a trailer..I sold the Burley as i didn't really get on with it..I found it was too wide on some of the narrow paths esp with other cyclists coming towards me..It also caused me to fall off my bike once when taking a sharp left turn and i caught my heel on the towbar..Anyway i'm rambling here..So i fancy either a single wheel BOB or Tout Terrain Mule and i was wondering if anyone had used either and could pass on their thoughts....Yes we can carry all the gear we are taking on the bikes but i'm trying to make life easier for she who must be kept happy..

That was the reason I bought my trailer. But I'd still recommend a 2 wheeled one, just engage the 'I've got a trailer on the back' brain when it is attached and get one that attaches down by the back axle.
FWIW my trailer is still stable at 40mph plus (Dual carriageway, downhill section with no turnings or side roads coming back from Ashbourne to Derby) and it is only a cheap one and a kiddie trailer to boot (yes I do get some funny looks especially by 2 policemen at night when coming home from a trip with 2 solar lights (light sensing ones) each side of the trailer shining out through the side windows, 2 cateye rear lights on the back of the trailer and a further 2 cateyes on the back of the bike (they thought I'd got a child on board. but when they saw it was only camping gear they had a bit of a laugh and said "well at least it is highly visible" )

 

[ufkacbln]

I use a Radical Cyclone for the reasons given by @vernon

Having been refused access with the BoB

The Cyclone is brilliant as you simply detach te wheels and tow bar and it becomes a holdall!



... and it does stand up to touring use!

 

[ufkacbln]

.. and one small thing for recumbent trikes.

Many manufacturers including ICE and HPVelotechnik do not allow single wheel trailers to be used.

To quote ICE:

Trailers
If you plan to attach a trailer to your trike we
strongly recommend using a two wheeled trailer.
One wheeled trailers have no lateral stability
unlike the trike itself, so when cornering are able
to transmit large twisting loads into the trike,
possibly enough to cause serious damage to it.
Two wheeled trailers are naturally stable and so
do not cause this problem.

 

[cnb]

Thanks for the replies..I really like the look of the Radical designs..Can i ask where you bought it and does it come complete with the hitch for the bike..I had a quick geek at their website and it seems that there are some optional extras...

 

[cnb]

Just had a more in depth look at the R/D website...Looks like it could be the trailer for me...Thanks again....

 

[raleighnut]

Just had a more in depth look at the R/D website...Looks like it could be the trailer for me...Thanks again....

I really liked it til I saw the price . Eek

 

[ufkacbln]

Hubert is really good and will ship as you want.

Mine is some ten years old and doing well.
I have both the short and long arms, and have used it on a dozen differnt bike / trikes with no problems

In the UK it can be seen through Bikefix or ICE

As for price.... you are paying for an unique design with limited production, and high standards

Worth every penny

 

[paulrobison]

I really liked it til I saw the price . Eek

There is a second hand Koga Miyata one on ebay (search for Koga trailer).

 

[cnb]

Or my Radical Designs cyclone i'm selling in the classifieds(everything else section)..

 

[steveindenmark]

You dont say "We" are.

If it is just you and your other half I would learn how to travel lighter and use only panniers.

I have used trailers but find them to be more trouble than they are worth.

Maybe something like the Extra wheel is an option.

http://www.extrawheel.com/

 

[cnb]

I only bought the trailer because i was travelling with my girlfriend. She isn't a regular cyclist and therefore i took most of the weight as well as a bigger tent and also camping chairs..I found the trailer to be useful and it did the job..I thought about either a BOB or Tout Mule..The thing that sold the R/D to me was the ease at which you could pack it down if public transport was needed...