vegematarian

I've never owned or used a dog trailer before but this summer I am looking to make several trips to the beach with my dog (while riding my bike).

My question is would a 25 lb trailer + 65 lb. dog be too much stress on a carbon or aluminum frame bike? Is steel the way to go? Most of the trip is flat but there are a few hills to climb.

The lowest gear is 36x28.

I could get a steel touring bike with much lower gears but the aluminum frame bike (and even the carbon frame bike) I'm looking at could allow me more uses when not the trailer isn't attached.

Any advice?

fietsbob

A typical 2 wheel trailer uses the left end of the rear hub axle to secure it's tow hitch.

The frame is still just supporting You..

ocsawdust

Do you know if your dog likes trailers? That could be a issue. My girl loved them making it great to take with. I had a burly flatbed and made a wood deck covering the whole frame then added sides and front. I'd be cautious clamping to a carbon fiber frame but probably feel real comfortable with an aluminum frame.

Cyclepup

I ride a Trek Allant (aluminum frame) and have used it with a converted Bell trailer to haul my dogs and groceries. It is my go-to bike for almost every ride. My husband rides a KHS TR-101 (Cromoly steel) and he'll haul 100+ pounds using a custom-built trailer or the Bell trailer with pups on board. We find that both of these frame types are more suitable for the type of riding we do and the roads we ride on (dirt in some areas).

Crawford53

+1
I got a trailer with the intention of using it to transport both my dogs, especially on longer trips, camping adventures etc but I quickly found out that the larger of my dogs HATES being in the trailer. I'm working on a harness system to hook him into, since the issue is not the trailer but the closed front, but it still is a hassle. Do a bunch of short, easy trips with lots of treats at the end before trying anything serious to get the dog familiar with the trailer.

CliffordK

I haven't done a dog trailer, but I pull my kids trailers carrying cargo with different bikes:

• Colnago Super - Steel
• Specialized Tricross - Aluminum
• Litespeed (Frankenbike) - Titanium

So far, not pulling the trailer with CF.

I have 2 clamps. One clamps onto the chainstay. The other clamps to both the chainstay and seatstay.

A thick pad may be more comfortable for the dog than wood or the original vinyl floor.