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Child trailers

(15 posts)
  • Started 9 years ago by Baldcyclist
  • Latest reply from Baldcyclist

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  1. Baldcyclist
    Member

    Mrs Baldcyclist is warming to the idea that carrying our firstborn around in a child trailer wouldn't mean instant death to the heir.

    We were given a 10 year old Trail a Tot trailer to use, but it's been sitting in a shed unused for most of that time, has rusty wheels, is covered in mould, and has been eaten through by mice. I think it's really only for for the bin (has anybody rescued similar condition trailers?).

    On some t'inter webbing, it looks like the Trail a Tot is quite commonly rebranded as Raleigh, and Halfords etc. I towed it about a bit without child in, and it didn't seem too heavy.

    This may be the same trailer in 'Halfords' form:
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Halfords-Bicycle-Trailer-Bike-Jogger-Double-Buggy-Seat-For-Baby-Child-Kids-/201216794943?hash=item2ed974a13f

    Does anyone have any experience of them, are they OK, worth 100 quid?

    Or better with a more expensive model / brand?

    It will be used for short shopping trips / trips to the beach etc. Can't see it ever going more than 4 miles in a one way journey. May go on train.

    Thanks in advance.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  2. algo
    Member

    Hello,

    there are some posts linked from here:

    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11022

    which may be of interest. I would say if your child is quite young (less than a year old probably) then it is worth finding a brand which allows for more support for the smaller ones. Once they are a bit older then I'd say the trailer you linked to would be grand.

    Thanks to advice and help from folk on here (most notably SRD who was characteristically generous), I tried out various options and ended up waiting for a second hand Chariot. They are eye-wateringly expensive new, but I got our double one for £300 and in my opinion that was money well spent - still very expensive but you do feel they are well protected.

    If you want to have a go with ours let me know - you'd be welcome to give it a go.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  3. wingpig
    Member

    What's the base made from? The frame and hitch looks quite like the Phillips Cleveland I sold to Snowy, which was massively useful but just too big for working round our storage and gates/doors. That had similarly steel-rimmed wheels and a moulded plastic shell bolted into it. Space for two childs and room at the feet for cargo/shopping. Fine if you have wide paths and gates between shed and street, but I'd have found a single-width thing much more flexible and useful.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  4. SRD
    Moderator

    agree with wingpig - I wish we'd gone with a single, if we'd used it more. For stuff like you describe - beach trips etc, the double's probably just dandy.

    We're open to offers for our EBC trailer. we bought it second hand for £50 from an ex-forumer. it's had some use, but still in pretty good shape; has been stored indoors. all reasonable offers accepted.

    (you might need to get a new hitch bit for your bike; our remaining one is pretty corroded).

    Posted 9 years ago #

  5. algo
    Member

    I think I have said hitch bit for SRD's trailer which you can have for nothing if I can find it... (will check later)

    Posted 9 years ago #

  6. Mandopicker101
    Member

    We had/have an Avenir child trailer (another Raleigh model)which looks not unlike the one you're thinking of. Ours has a more basic 'clamp' fixing which began to grip less well over time (top tip from LBS was to wind an old bike tube round the stay so that the clamp had something to 'grip').

    Child found it comfortable enough to fall asleep in and it was good for family outings, picnics, local trips, shopping. I used it extensively on the nursery run and stowed it in the nursery's pram park/shed.

    Today it sits quietly folded in the shed awaiting a planned rebirth as luggage/shopping/utility trailer.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  7. SRD
    Moderator

    Just re-iterate - we're desperate to get rid of our double bike coop trailer. all offers welcome or it will go to the NNS on the 23rd for bargain basement price.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  8. neddie
    Member

    @SRD

    I would be interested in the trailer.

    I'll need to check with my wife first though

    Posted 8 years ago #

  9. davidsonsdave
    Member

    We've had a double trailer for the last year and a half and use it as the main transport to nursery and for occasional trips around town, even to get the weekly shop. Both the three and one year old love it and are disappointed if we suggest using the car.

    I've only rarely had a problem with fitting it through somewhere. However, we are lucky that we can wheel it straight out of the garage so no hassle with gates or having to carry it.

    The only downside I have found is that communication is easier when using a child seat.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  10. Edinburgh Cycle Training
    Member

    In general terms I found these trailer things great.

    The downside was i'm sure it made second born very lazy, she liked being chauffeured around at a pace she could never do on her own, let alone without the effort. It was the same when she grew into the tag along.

    However, a big upside was she has no qualms at all about cycling in traffic.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  11. neddie
    Member

    Sorry SRD. The planets are not aligned. I'm going to have to renege on my offer to take trailer. Sorry again.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  12. Baldcyclist
    Member

    Does anyone use a rear axle propstand with their trailer?

    Pashley recomends (and sells) this one, but I'm concerned it may interfere with the hitch pole thingmy:
    https://www.pashleycollection.co.uk/product/rear-axle-propstand

    Posted 8 years ago #

  13. SRD
    Moderator

    @baldcyclist We used a double stand, attached underneath the seat-post ( probably not the proper terms for either part).

    @edd1e_h sorry it didn't work out!

    Posted 8 years ago #

  14. Baldcyclist
    Member

    Aye, Mrs baldcyclist has one of them on her bike, but the bottom bracket is attached to the frame in a slightly weird way becasue of the curved tubes, means only a rear axle one will go on. :(

    Posted 8 years ago #

  15. Baldcyclist
    Member

    Oh, how do people find them on the train?

    Thinking of PoP.

    Posted 8 years ago #

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