Identify hitch needed for this trailer?

[Bantam]

I've just been given a trailer to use on my bike, but have no hitch for it.

I've attached a photo of the connector below, and have uploaded a few more here - I'd be very grateful if someone could let me know where I could get the parts I'd need to connect the trailer to my bike.

I have a Pashley Roadster Sovereign (the big one with the double top tube) if it's relevant... the trailer's hitch lines up nicely with the seat post so I presume it can attach somehow onto there.

 

[Piemaster]

I've got the same hitch on my bike. It looks something like a car tow ball and attaches through the bolt on the seatpost clamp.

I'll have a look and see if I can find anything similar on a site.


edit: this looks a similar type. Worth trying them?

 

[corshamjim]

Assuming it's the same hitch as my Roland Big Boy trailer (it looks the same), the towbar you need is:

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/hebie-towbar-f1/aid:21544

Unfortunately it will only clamp to an old style seat clamp with a bolt, not a modern QR one. It looks like you'll be lucky with the Roadster and will only need the towbar. If it doesn't fit your seatpost clamp though, you'll need an adaptor to clamp it to the seatpost as well:

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/hebie-seat-post-adapter/aid:143070

Or you can buy both as a set:

http://www.bikester.co.uk/bicycle-equipment/trailers/trailer-accessories/5325.html

I think you can buy these direct from Hebie too.
http://www.hebie.de/trailer-coupling-501.hebie501.0.html?&L=1
http://www.hebie.de/Adapter-for-coupling-599-05.hebie59905.0.html?&L=1

Note that the towbar supplied with my Roland trailer doesn't seem to be a genuine Hebie part, but it works just fine with the Hebie seatpost adapter.

 

[danphoto]

Ref that Hebie coupling and the seatpost adaptor linked to by corshamjim, that's what I use on my Dawes trailer tug, and if my experience is anything to go by, unless they've changed the detail design in the last couple of years, be prepared for the adaptor tending to swivel about the seatpost somewhat i.e. go out of fore-aft alignment, however hard you nip it up.

In my case, the cure was a cunningly-crafted strip of fine sandpaper, folded back on itself such that the abrasive faced outwards, inserted between the seatpost and the clamp. It's never budged since

 

[corshamjim]

Ref that Hebie coupling and the seatpost adaptor linked to by corshamjim, that's what I use on my Dawes trailer tug, and if my experience is anything to go by, unless they've changed the detail design in the last couple of years, be prepared for the adaptor tending to swivel about the seatpost somewhat i.e. go out of fore-aft alignment, however hard you nip it up.

In my case, the cure was a cunningly-crafted strip of fine sandpaper, folded back on itself such that the abrasive faced outwards, inserted between the seatpost and the clamp. It's never budged since

Hello again!

The seatpost adaptor is now (not sure if it always used to be) supplied with a couple of square rubber pads self-adhesive on one side so you can stick them to the inside of whichever plastic shim fits your seatpost. Even so I find it's still possible to force it around even when done up tight. I've only used it for a few days myself and not noticed any problem yet, but if I do then thanks Dan I'll give that a try.

With hindsight I guess I probably should have cleaned the seatpost with solvent to get rid of any trace of grease before fitting the adaptor to it too.

 

[Bantam]

Thanks - that's great. Knowing the name of the trailer and the hitch really helps... and oddly, having now looked up others who have asked questions about the trailer on this and other forums - they all seem to be using it to take things to/from their allotment: just as I do!

I'm not sure if there would be sufficient clearance from the seatpost bolt on my Pashley, it looks quite close to the top of the rear rack that it has - so I think I'll go for the seatpost adapter just to be sure.

Many thanks for all the replies - I will report back!

 

[corshamjim]

You got me thinking about finding a cover for my trailer. While hunting for that, I found this tow bar which seems to be the cheap imitation one which comes with the Roland:

http://www.tretwerk....ock-silber.html

The main difference between this one and the genuine Hebie one seems to be the bolt which stops the lever from lifting when the trailer is in place. The one on this cheapo tow bar simply screws in and is prone to coming loose. I must put a rubber band around it or something to prevent that. The genuine Hebie one has a much better designed catch which looks like it will stay put whatever.

p.s. still haven't found a cover but .. I came across this tow bar which mounts directly on the luggage rack:

http://www.bikester.co.uk/bicycle-equipment/trailers/trailer-accessories/5326.html

Personally I think I prefer the seat-post option as I wouldn't want to stress my rack too much, and when I'm not using the trailer I want to be able to use the top of the rack.

 

[Bantam]

I ordered both parts from the Rose site because the Bikester site had a minimum order that was greater than the total of both parts (and I tried asking my local bike shop to order them for me but they weren't interested and said I should try eBay!).

For your lid - rather than trying to find a lid that fits the box you have, maybe consider doing what the guy who had this trailer before me did: the plastic box has a lid and while it isn't a 100% perfect fit it's pretty close... and the whole box is just a B&Q storage box that fits snugly, if not all the way down, into the frame of the trailer.

 

[corshamjim]

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep the measurements handy so I can check at the local pound store / B&Q / Focus wherever.

I warn you - ironically the parts from Rose will (if anything like mine) arrive in a huge box. If you need to cycle to the post office to get it when it arrives be sure to take a trailer bungee so you can strap it to the top of your rack.

 

[Bantam]

This is the label on the inside of the lid of the crate I'm using... it's not listed on the B&Q site now though, so may be discontinued.

 

[Bantam]

Ordered from Rose in Germany on Tuesday, arrived in west London on Saturday... with a bank holiday in between - can't complain.

I warn you - ironically the parts from Rose will (if anything like mine) arrive in a huge box

You weren't wrong, though admittedly there was a somewhat random additional gift in the box... a cereal bowl and two packets of jelly sweets.



Trailer connected perfectly, thanks to all!