Want to make bicycle trailer
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: georgia
Posts: 388
Bikes: Caloi MTB, Raleigh heritage international
Liked 58 Times
in
29 Posts
Want to make bicycle trailer
The grocery store is only 2 miles away, I would like a trailer that I could switch between a mountain bike that is now my utility bike, and my folding bike (that I haven't received yet).
I don't know if my folder will fold with anything on the seat tube, I was hoping to find something, or make something, that would be easily switched between bicycles.
I haven't looked at the used market yet, thought I would ask the experts first.
I don't know if my folder will fold with anything on the seat tube, I was hoping to find something, or make something, that would be easily switched between bicycles.
I haven't looked at the used market yet, thought I would ask the experts first.
#2
It will be cheaper and easier to find a used kid trailer, and remove the seating arrangement, leaving you with a cargo bay. Many of which have tongues that attach to your rear axle, and can be pretty easily swapped from bike to bike. I use a Burley kid trailer for exactly the type of grocery runs that you describe (and sometimes much longer trips). Mine is a double-wide, for 2 kids, and without the seats, has room for a couple hundred dollars' worth of groceries.
Likes For TC1:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 906
Bikes: 2017 Co-op ADV 1.1; ~1991 Novara Arriba; 1990 Fuji Palisade; mid-90's Moots Tandem; 1985 Performance Superbe
Liked 576 Times
in
334 Posts
Likes For margoC:
#5
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 30,036
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Liked 1,599 Times
in
1,079 Posts
It will be cheaper and easier to find a used kid trailer, and remove the seating arrangement, leaving you with a cargo bay. Many of which have tongues that attach to your rear axle, and can be pretty easily swapped from bike to bike. I use a Burley kid trailer for exactly the type of grocery runs that you describe (and sometimes much longer trips). Mine is a double-wide, for 2 kids, and without the seats, has room for a couple hundred dollars' worth of groceries.
Over 15 years ago I paid $5 for this Schwinn Varsity and $10 for this well worn child trailer at a garage sale. Modified the trailer by adding rubber strap/bungee cords (all roadside finds) and topped with a few flattened cardboard boxes for a stable floor for cargo. Has been in use ever since for hauling groceries, recyclables, yard waste and whatnot without any issues.
![](https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/2000x943/20231124_105704_29541eb3632744c2a59fde81f16fcd827d778fb2.jpg)
![](https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/1900x2000/20231124_105734_b2828762aefd68be76db353fc6e7347608ad88ed.jpg)
![](https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/1956x1161/20231124_110206_ca6a979b3caa9723251c82c150c795acd4c5a303.jpg)
![](https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/2000x1124/20231124_110321_5964c2e96392ccd52a31c5d2828c38699e209b7a.jpg)
![](https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/2000x1504/2015_11_14_004_8a51e722d03aad8e68f8b502cbc02802b0325a1d.jpg)
![](https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/1992x1619/loadedtrailer2_5c0adea50f150988d597aff44d65bde1113ba4b6.jpg)
![](https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/2000x1504/trailerload_of_electronics_to_goodwill2_d7ed910c5ab184d70a83bcae8e5c634d6ce22ada.jpg)
Likes For I-Like-To-Bike:
#6
Senior Member
For a trailer that will be swapped between bikes, I favor single wheel trailers, like the BOB Yak. The modified Q/R skewer that stays on the bike is completely invisible when no trailer is attached. Also the single wheel trailer complements the handling and maneuverability of a bicycle very well. I'd try to find an actual BOB Yak used, or as an alternative, a used Burley Nomad cargo trailer. Either is, to me, much more aesthetic than modifying a child trailer <shudder>.
Last edited by Leisesturm; 11-26-23 at 09:07 AM.
#7
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 30,036
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Liked 1,599 Times
in
1,079 Posts
For a trailer that will be swapped between bikes, I favor single wheel trailers, like the BOB Yak. The modified Q/R skewer that stays on the bike is completely invisible when no trailer is attached. Also the single wheel trailer complements the handling and maneuverability of a bicycle very well. I'd try to find an actual BOB Yak used, or as an alternative, a used Burley Nomad cargo trailer. Either is, to me, much more aesthetic than modifying a child trailer <shudder>.
#8
Senior Member
Both of the options I suggested earlier are designed from the ground up, to attach to a bicycle, and carry cargo. They are not compromise solutions that in any way diminish practicality for aesthetics. Win-win in my opinion.
#9
Senior Member