Warning: Some posts on this platform may contain adult material intended for mature audiences only. Viewer discretion is advised. By clicking ‘Continue’, you confirm that you are 18 years or older and consent to viewing explicit content.
Yeah, the lowest gear ratios of mountain and touring bikes give you enough torque to haul several hundred pounds.
I had a similar trailer. I ended up ripping off all the canvas and screwing a plywood deck to the frame. I had 400 pounds of water softener salt on it with no problems.
Extending the towbar about 8 feet, I used to tow a canoe.
I ended up ripping off all the canvas and screwing a plywood deck to the frame. I had 400 pounds of water softener salt on it with no problems.
Yeah, the soft plastic they use has got to go. Plywood sounds like a nice upgrade!
Did you ever need to upgrade the tires/tubes to hold 400 lbs??? I think I may pick up some Schwalbe Marathons, for their puncture resistance and weight carrying capacity. They’ve got them in 16" sizes :)
Did you ever need to upgrade the tires/tubes to hold 400 lbs??
Not the tires and tubes, no. Just overinflated them a little. I was concerned about the rims and spokes, but they seemed like they were reasonably beefy. I didn’t plan on doing any jumps or stunts with the trailer, so I was reasonably confident at low speeds.
If I were to do it again, I would have started with a trailer with forked wheel mounts. On mine, the axle inserted into a quick release bracket from the side. I think yours do the same thing. They flexed a little more than I liked; they would have been the weak point if I loaded mine any heavier. Something like this would be inherently stronger:
The axle is attached on both sides of the wheel, just like the axles on your bike. A little more difficult to install and remove, but not too bad.
Mine are also quick release, so I can understand how they aren’t the most robust. But smaller wheels = better strength and less of a chance of spokes busting under load. The tires that came on my trailer are cheap, so I might not wait until they go before replacing them. Not sure what kind of tubes they have, but I don’t mind replacing those with the tires. LOL The last thing I want is to carry 100lbs with a flat on the trailer.
Trailers are awesome. Getting all that weight off the bike makes a huge difference in handling.
I don’t know what yours is rated to, but so long as you balance the load well, you can haul 400+ pounds in a trailer.
I believe this one is 100lbs rated, but some that I’ve seen can carry a lot more. It’s impressive what a bike can move!
Yeah, the lowest gear ratios of mountain and touring bikes give you enough torque to haul several hundred pounds.
I had a similar trailer. I ended up ripping off all the canvas and screwing a plywood deck to the frame. I had 400 pounds of water softener salt on it with no problems.
Extending the towbar about 8 feet, I used to tow a canoe.
Yeah, the soft plastic they use has got to go. Plywood sounds like a nice upgrade!
Did you ever need to upgrade the tires/tubes to hold 400 lbs??? I think I may pick up some Schwalbe Marathons, for their puncture resistance and weight carrying capacity. They’ve got them in 16" sizes :)
Not the tires and tubes, no. Just overinflated them a little. I was concerned about the rims and spokes, but they seemed like they were reasonably beefy. I didn’t plan on doing any jumps or stunts with the trailer, so I was reasonably confident at low speeds.
If I were to do it again, I would have started with a trailer with forked wheel mounts. On mine, the axle inserted into a quick release bracket from the side. I think yours do the same thing. They flexed a little more than I liked; they would have been the weak point if I loaded mine any heavier. Something like this would be inherently stronger:
The axle is attached on both sides of the wheel, just like the axles on your bike. A little more difficult to install and remove, but not too bad.
Mine are also quick release, so I can understand how they aren’t the most robust. But smaller wheels = better strength and less of a chance of spokes busting under load. The tires that came on my trailer are cheap, so I might not wait until they go before replacing them. Not sure what kind of tubes they have, but I don’t mind replacing those with the tires. LOL The last thing I want is to carry 100lbs with a flat on the trailer.