Pull behind bicycle trailer hauling camping gear, groceries and whatnot?

Below text appended, was part of a post on cross-State trip planned, but consider post needs to have its own/separate thread.

In a nutshell: is pulling bicycle trailer which was designed to haul kids 15 mph behind a bicycle but instead, hauling arse at 30 to 35 mph a good idea?

No kids being hauled are involved, merely camping gear, groceries and whatnot.

FB seller tells me he's hauled bicycle trailer at 15 mph, which is about what you would expect, but going twice as fast? HHHhhhuuummm...idk?

Repost from trip planned:
I've been checking out pull behind bicycle trailer as means hauling camping gear on trip.

Found one reasonably priced on Facebook Marketplace, seeming usable for purpose.

Seller describes bicycle trailer folding down for easy storage, which would be helpful in limited space apartment.

I've easily gone 30 mph pulling my trailer with no problems. I've even had as much as a 200 lbs load in it.

Sidewinder Jerry said:

I've easily gone 30 mph pulling my trailer with no problems. I've even had as much as a 200 lbs load in it.

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Now that's what I'm talking about! Hearing experience of those who's "been there and done that" Kudos

Sidewinder Jerry, I'm pleased to hear that you've experienced no stability issues carrying a heavy load, and no issues trailer "wig-wagging" from side to side at 30+ mph going down the road.

Couple things I'm concerned about bicycle trailer found on facebook: how compactly folds down for storage (there's scant space in apartment), & is trailer sturdy enough to survive 20+ hours on motorized biking trip, while carrying camping load-out?

When finished MB repairs chasing air leaks (causing difficulty starting and no idle), should then have obtained sufficient performance/reliability, which will assist with feasibility pulling trailer.

Thankfully, seals and repair parts have arrived. Want everything working correctly, before placing additional load stressing motor, which pulling trailer would create.

Once finished tweeks, adjustments & tuning to get MB good as may be, then feasible heading over to FB seller and giving trailer test drive trial.

Trial and error is going to be only way to ensure answering questions as to this particular bicycle trailer's suitablity for cross-state camping road trip, or if needs be, prefer continuing trailer search?

Working part time, plus on fixed income, have to spend and budget carefully. When buying a used piece of gear, one wishes to avoid purchasing other people's problems, and avoid being faced with even more nece$$ary repairs.

That's the other side of scenario: whether $75 is fair value for used bicycle trailer?

Not finding great lot of bicycle trailers for sale online (trailer hasn't sold for over a week at $75). While don't prefer notion lowballing seller, there is always pressure to budget funds carefully.

Here one faces conundrum of two perfectly valid and totally conflicting constructs:

a) you get what you pay for.
b) something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Color me undecided?...

nimblebee said:

Now that's what I'm talking about! Hearing experience of those who's "been there and done that" Kudos

Sidewinder Jerry, I'm pleased to hear that you've experienced no stability issues carrying a heavy load, and no issues trailer "wig-wagging" from side to side at 30+ mph going down the road.

Couple things I'm concerned about bicycle trailer found on facebook: how compactly folds down for storage (there's scant space in apartment), & is trailer sturdy enough to survive 20+ hours on motorized biking trip, while carrying camping load-out?

When finished MB repairs chasing air leaks (causing difficulty starting and no idle), should then have obtained sufficient performance/reliability, which will assist with feasibility pulling trailer.

Thankfully, seals and repair parts have arrived. Want everything working correctly, before placing additional load stressing motor, which pulling trailer would create.

Once finished tweeks, adjustments & tuning to get MB good as may be, then feasible heading over to FB seller and giving trailer test drive trial.

Trial and error is going to be only way to ensure answering questions as to this particular bicycle trailer's suitablity for cross-state camping road trip, or if needs be, prefer continuing trailer search?

Working part time, plus on fixed income, have to spend and budget carefully. When buying a used piece of gear, one wishes to avoid purchasing other people's problems, and avoid being faced with even more nece$$ary repairs.

That's the other side of scenario: whether $75 is fair value for used bicycle trailer?

Not finding great lot of bicycle trailers for sale online (trailer hasn't sold for over a week at $75). While don't prefer notion lowballing seller, there is always pressure to budget funds carefully.

Here one faces conundrum of two perfectly valid and totally conflicting constructs:

a) you get what you pay for.
b) something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Color me undecided?...

Click to expand...

I want to say around 4 years ago I paid around a $120 on eBay for a rated 200 lbs load trailer. I added ¼" plywood for the sides. In the case of my bike it's a shifter. So I can use lower gear ratios to pull heavy loads up steep hills. I only ride on paved roads.

My biggest advice would be if you have a heavy load distribute the heavier weight towards the front, don't take sharp curves fast, and be careful coming down steep hills.

Sidewinder Jerry said:

I want to say around 4 years ago I paid around a $120 on eBay for a rated 200 lbs load trailer. I added ¼" plywood for the sides. In the case of my bike it's a shifter. So I can use lower gear ratios to pull heavy loads up steep hills. I only ride on paved roads.

My biggest advice would be if you have a heavy load distribute the heavier weight towards the front, don't take sharp curves fast, and be careful coming down steep hills.

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Thanks a bunch Sidewinder Jerry!

Facebook Marketplace trailer being investigated was made to haul kids, so dubious this one can carry 200 lbs . Those would be some pretty heavy kids! lol.

Caution going downhill makes perfect sense, as bike trailer having no brakes LOL

Same for curves: caution required, since trailers adversely effect steering.

Definitely can see need adding strength; believe would use treated cardboard, for reduced weight while simultaneously adding strength and waterproofness using DIY formulation as seen in this video:

nimblebee said:

...use treated cardboard, for reduced weight while simultaneously adding strength and waterproofness using DIY formulation as seen in this video:

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From one of our forums:


This discussion provides an interesting concept using lightweight materials similar to cardboard structure previously mentioned in prior post.

Like going from Star Trek impulse 1/2 to warp 9+, idea evolves from hauling camping gear via bicycle trailer, to hauling mini camper behind bicycle.

Video talks about DIY downloadable plans, but sadly, plans are no longer available, leaving one on their own ends to innovating.

No idea if desirable putting out time, money, & effort building mini camper using cardboard construction methodology VS bicycle trailer hauling camping gear?

Where desirable for insulation/added strength, would consider using aircrete, which I've some experience with.

Advantages of aircrete (when bonded to cardboard construction techniques described in earlier video) would include lightweight, durability, fire & water proof, good insulation values, all being amenable to common woodworking techniques.

Great DIY material aircrete, but as they say: "The nicer the nice, the higher the price" lol

Mini camper build is an intriguing concept, but is it actually superior to throwing some camping gear in a standard pull-behind bicycle trailer? idk. Down to personal preference?


Moot question one fairly supposes, considering there's no room in my apartment storing mini camper, conversely perhaps just enough room for collapsible, foldable/portable bicycle trailer?

Purchased 30 plus year old Burgey bicycle trailer needing repairs, and fixed for towing behind motorized bicycle.

Appreciate trailer folding flat for easy storage in closet.

Having trailer capable hauling groceries from Wally World, of course motorized bicycle engine decided to quit, so MB's what I'm working on troubleshooting today.

Bicycle trailer repairs are nearing completion. Only a few remaining tweaks and trailer is good to go for planned cross-state 313 mile motorized bicycle camping trip.

It became necessary to replace swiveling hitch piece, which is made out of flexible rubber, because these parts were only designed to last three to five years, before deteriorating and becoming brittle, consequently then needing replaced.

Hitch piece coming with trailer was aged and material already degenerated, such that after 3 successful attempts repairing different breaks, repair's surrounding material was degraded to the extent, additional parts of hitch piece would consequently break.

Consumable hitch material was too degraded for effective repair & reuse, necessitating replacement part being ordered.

When "consumable" hitch replacement part arrived, was installed onto trailer tongue & trailer consequently put through series of tests, watching for any malfunctions, which tests trailer passed with flying colors.

Further repairs on used bicycle trailer continued. Broken warning flag's coupler was repaired, via JB Weld & plastic welder metal reinforcement added, covered by duct tape forming outer surface; constituting permanent, lasting repair.

Tears in fiberglass screen were repaired using clear silicone to merge torn screen sections back together, making for clean repair & good appearance. Duct tape was used in masking damaged screen section, soap being used on duct tape as mold release, with clear silicon applied over tear in screen. Repair finished with a final piece of duct tape over top of silicon repair, making for flat surface & neat appearance.

Hard to describe, but easy seeing from pictures, way in which screen tear repair progressed, repair having acceptable end results.

Wanting to make sure camping gear was in good condition/ready for planned trip, tent-air mattress-cooking gear-sleeping bag & etc was set up and checked out.

When bug man entered apartment to spray, he had a very strange look on his face, seeing campground set up in my living room lol .

Camping gear easily fits into bicycle trailer for planned motorized bicycle camping trip, having plenty of room for additional supplies, etc.

From my days as a long haul trucker, prefer having available "adult wipes" for keeping clean, with precautionary adult diapers in case of "accidents." Definitely don't ask me how I know

Only ingredient missing for successful camping trip was a "working motorized bicycle", so it's back to troubleshooting: why loss of power, engine having died and not starting?

Definitely dealing with layers of problems, including loss of compression. Biggest "deal kill" is finding out why no spark. Using process of elimination, replaced magneto, CDI, & spark plug, still producing no spark. Suspect bad connection, because that's entire ignition system replaced?

Further troubleshooting ahoy. Maybe best fix replace entire engine kit for $113? idk that would definitely leave me with lots of spares in case of breakdown.

Likely motor presently installed, is going to have to be removed/torn down, in determining why there was compression loss? It would be quicker just to replace entire engine and keep for spares? idk

Camping gear checks out okay.

No leaks in air mattress, battery powered inflator works okay.

Tent barely fits air mattress. Were I to be any taller, tent/mattress would be too small; it's barely adequate, but OK.