Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Recreational & Family
Reload this Page >

Any concerns with Used Thule Chariot bike trailers?

Notices
Recreational & Family Ride just to ride? Have a family and want to get them into cycling? Drop in here to discuss recreational and family cycling issues.

Any concerns with Used Thule Chariot bike trailers?

Old 11-24-20, 09:40 AM
  #1  
psychoanalyst
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Wappingers Falls
Posts: 59
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts
Any concerns with Used Thule Chariot bike trailers?

Hello All,

My wife and I had twins this year (they are almost 10 months now) and I can't wait to go riding with them. I started looking at bike trailers and I think the Thule Chariot series is the most ideal for me. But the latest models are well beyond my financial reach so I started looking at the used market.
I came across a Chariot Cougar 2 (which is supposedly the prior version of the Chariot Cross 2) which comes with the jogging and biking kit that looks awesome, but given that my twins will be in it, I am wondering if there are any safety concerns with used bike trailers I need to be aware of. The seller claims that it's barely used and in almost like new condition. I don't care for all the new bells and whistles of the latest models, but safety is my utmost concern. Does Thule still support replacement parts on discontinued models?
Also: any estimates of what is a good price? The new models cost > $1000, but given that it's an older model, I don't know what a good offer is.
Many thanks.
Avi
psychoanalyst is offline  
Old 11-24-20, 10:29 AM
  #2  
bjjoondo 
Senior Member
 
bjjoondo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Colorado Springs, CO.
Posts: 2,116

Bikes: 2011 ICE Sprint Special Edition

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 101 Times in 66 Posts
I don't have any dealings with this particular model of child trailer but I can tell you I've used several different brands of child trailer and converted them to "utility trailers" over the year and they have ALL held up well hauling loads!! From the Wal-Mart specials to the last which was a used, older top of one of lines model so I don't think I'd worry about buying a used one as long as it's solid looking and has no damage. The overall parts are pretty standard and you can usually find replacements that will work just fine. My recommendation for price $200 to $250 MAX for a used high end child trailer in very good to excellent shape. JMHO, YMMV, have a excellent day!
__________________
Take Care, Ride Safe, have FUN! :)
Jo: 2009 ICE Trice T
BJ: 2011 ICE Sprint Special Edition









bjjoondo is offline  
Old 11-24-20, 10:45 AM
  #3  
psychoanalyst
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Wappingers Falls
Posts: 59
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by bjjoondo
I don't have any dealings with this particular model of child trailer but I can tell you I've used several different brands of child trailer and converted them to "utility trailers" over the year and they have ALL held up well hauling loads!! From the Wal-Mart specials to the last which was a used, older top of one of lines model so I don't think I'd worry about buying a used one as long as it's solid looking and has no damage. The overall parts are pretty standard and you can usually find replacements that will work just fine. My recommendation for price $200 to $250 MAX for a used high end child trailer in very good to excellent shape. JMHO, YMMV, have a excellent day!
Thanks so much for the valuable feedback. I am negotiating with the seller right now, but I think we might be stuck at $350. It doesn't appear to be too unfair given that it comes with the bike and jogging attachments which alone cost quite a bit.

Still thinking.
psychoanalyst is offline  
Likes For psychoanalyst:
Old 04-05-21, 11:32 AM
  #4  
psychoanalyst
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Wappingers Falls
Posts: 59
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts
FYI for others with the same question: I ended up purchasing the trailer and it's one heck of a bike trailer! Totally recommend it.

But in addition to use a bike trailer, if you want to use it as a standard stroller, make sure you get the stroller kit...the jogging kit is a major pain to use if all you are doing is strolling.
psychoanalyst is offline  
Likes For psychoanalyst:
Old 04-22-21, 02:40 AM
  #5  
ropetwitch
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 84
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Liked 16 Times in 12 Posts
Thanks for the update. How was your twins, expert riding the bike already like daddy? Did I get it right, the Chariot Cougar 2 is what you bought?
ropetwitch is offline  
Old 04-22-21, 10:05 AM
  #6  
psychoanalyst
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Wappingers Falls
Posts: 59
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by ropetwitch
Thanks for the update. How was your twins, expert riding the bike already like daddy? Did I get it right, the Chariot Cougar 2 is what you bought?
Yeah...I ended up getting the Cougar 2. Paid more that expected (including the purchase of the stroller kit), but I think it's a good buy.

I am really enjoying it so far, but the issue is with twins (especially boy and girl), there is so much fighting between them that I end up riding with just the one kid!! The other thing I am looking for a solution for is sleep comfort. My son tends to fall asleep when I take him in the afternoon, but there is no head support on that thing. I am currently trying an airplane pillow that wraps around his head, but he hates it.
psychoanalyst is offline  
Old 04-24-21, 09:31 AM
  #7  
Leinster
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: location location
Posts: 3,033

Bikes: MBK Super Mirage 1991, CAAD10, Yuba Mundo Lux, and a Cannondale Criterium Single Speed

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 343 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times in 205 Posts
I wish I’d seen this sooner and could relate how great our Burley Encore has been, first with the twins (now 5-1/2) and now with our youngest (2). It sounds like you got a good deal and are happy with your trailer.

Our twins always got on pretty well in the jogger. Up to a point. It helped to bring along books and toys and snacks for them to share.
Leinster is offline  
Old 05-02-21, 10:13 AM
  #8  
Viich
Hack
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,251

Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), 90's Giant Innova (now with drop bars), Yess World Cup race BMX, Redline Proline Pro24 race BMX Cruiser

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 343 Post(s)
Liked 181 Times in 127 Posts
We had a Croozer double - not twins, but kids are 19 months apart. We used it a lot, for a long time. Every trip to the park, taking the oldest to school - even stuffing his bike into the cargo area when he didn't want to bike himself anymore.

Enjoy!
Viich is offline  
Old 05-13-21, 05:09 AM
  #9  
ropetwitch
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 84
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Liked 16 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by psychoanalyst
Yeah...I ended up getting the Cougar 2. Paid more that expected (including the purchase of the stroller kit), but I think it's a good buy.

I am really enjoying it so far, but the issue is with twins (especially boy and girl), there is so much fighting between them that I end up riding with just the one kid!! The other thing I am looking for a solution for is sleep comfort. My son tends to fall asleep when I take him in the afternoon, but there is no head support on that thing. I am currently trying an airplane pillow that wraps around his head, but he hates it.
That's so challenging bro. Be alert always and watch your kids carefully to avoid accidents =)
ropetwitch is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.