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

[nimblebee]

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.

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[Sidewinder Jerry]

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.

 

[nimblebee]

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.

View attachment 117680

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?...

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

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?...

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.

 

[nimblebee]

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.

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]

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

From one of our forums:

Thread 'DIY Bicycle Camper'

Dec 13, 2015

My wife actually happened on this, and sent me a link on Facebook because she knows how I'm fascinated by nearly anything bike-related. This looked like something people here would be interested in. Take a look; tell me what you think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiejAhol4Ps

• Allen_Wrench
• Replies: 20
• Forum: Travels, Adventures and Motorized Bicycle Touring

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?