Hi Friends,

I feel that general discussion about bike trailers is off topic, but I will share a brief safety warning in response to some claims made here. 

Bicycle trailers are designed to track and stop correctly when the trailer weighs up to about half as much as the combined bicycle and rider. In order to safely tow loads of similar or greater mass to the towing vehicle, the trailer itself must be equipped with brakes of adequate strength. 

Information is available on the internet on how to modify or build trailers with integrated brakes. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding trailer physics. 

Cheers,
Daniel

On Jul 16, 2017 5:35 PM, <christopher@holisticcycles.com> wrote:
There are many solutions, some are the luck of what you can find and others are built with your skill level in metal work or what you can afford.
The problems I have seen are: It is easy to gear down to move a trailer, it is hard to stop it without great control and stunning brakes. Hills can kill you if you have too large of a load. I have carried over 1200 pounds on a trailer (14 kids around a flat ground street fair)  I have safely carried 300 pounds of gear around town on a weekly basis. I have used a bike with two front wheels and disk brakes on each wheel. A recumbent tricycle was my best towing bike. Trikes are best because when your load pushes you around. you do not loose control and fall down, you can release your brakes, straighten up and regain control.

I have seen long tote carrying trailers with a work bench in the hitch end and a trailer brace. 


Christopher Wallace
Holistic Cycles/ Bicycle Guild
140 Harrison St
Oak Park, IL. 60304


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Portable Bike Co-op
From: Falls City Community BikeWorks Community BikeWorks
<fccbikeworks@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, January 24, 2015 2:52 pm
To: The Think Tank <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>

We are about to work on the same project here in Louisville. Looking forward to hearing from the pros :)
Bella
On Jan 24, 2015 4:20 PM, "Justin Smith" <justin@bikeerie.org> wrote:
We like the idea of having some sort of trailer, wagon or otherwise that we can take throughout the city to different neighborhoods, events and otherwise to help make bike repairs.
We'd love your suggestions for what type of trailer to use, how to organize, actual plans and costs, your sources of funding, and all other advice and input you care to share. 
 
Thanks!
--
Justin Smith
Bike Erie
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