Trailers + hitches

[mark a.]

With a baby on the way, at some point in the future we'll probably buy a child trailer, such as Chariot or Croozer.

These hitch to the rear hub, usually with a replacement longer QR axle. But does anyone know what happens with hub gears? We have derailleur, Shimano Nexus and Rohloff in our bike collection, all in theory will be used to pull the trailer. How do hub gear hitch connections work, if they do at all?

Also, is there a generally-accepted "best" hitch? IIRC, different brands have different hitch connections of varying convenience and performance.

Any top tips from trailer users would be most appreciated.

[simonineaston]

I've just started using a so-called LollyPop hitch from the chaps at Carry Freedom
http://www.carryfreedom.com/downloads/C ... -Hitch.pdf
and it appears to by well-made and easy-to-use. It was recommended be sundry trailer stalwarts on this very forum and I have no reason to think otherwise. I dare swear photos from some of these types will follow, as will some from me.
The bike I have it hitched to is a Brompton which has a solid axle and it was a breeze to set it up. All you need is enough axle to accomodate the thickness of the hitch, described amply in the linked document...

[[XAP]Bob]

My trailer (a bargain from Halfords 'cos the staff misidentified it) uses a hitch that is simply slotted over the rear axle - QR or nutted - and is then held in place as normal.

Works perfectly well...

[mark a.]

That's sounding more promising. Assuming I have enough axle thread, that is. (Should be fine for the Nexus. I can't remember off the top of my head how the Rohloff looks).

[Cunobelin]

That's sounding more promising. Assuming I have enough axle thread, that is. (Should be fine for the Nexus. I can't remember off the top of my head how the Rohloff looks).

That is the only real problem.

Ensuring that the hitch is secure on the axle

[[XAP]Bob]

All of mine have had plenty of thread - The thickness added is only a couple of mm

[Mistik-ka]

BOB, who make the excellent cargo "BOB Yak" trailer, produce "Bob Nutz" http://www.bobgear.com/bike-trailers/bob-nutz specifically for mounting their hitches to solid axle and internal-geared hubs. They also have three sizes of QR skewers with built-in mounts http://www.bobgear.com/bike-trailers/bob-quick-release for their trailers. I don't know if they would mate with your trailer hitch but they're probably worth a peek. We use the tandem-length skewer with great success.

[simonineaston]

Low down and close-up picture of the stainless hitch bolted to the drop-out of the Brompton. The hitch is v. stout and thick at 4mm, so the full-width nut no longer covers the whole of the exposed thread of the axle, however the very complete instructions specify 10mm minimum so I'm happy. I might pop a dome nut on later for apperance's sake!

stout stainless hitch on my Brompton

According to the chaps on the earlier thread on this subject, these hitches can be bought separately so you can have 1 trailer, fitted with the lollypop end of the deal and several bikes, each with their own towing htich...

[mark a.]

Can you lock the Carry Freedom lollipop hitch? I'm just thinking about leaving a bike trailer in town.

Does anyone here use the Weber hitch? I've heard good things about it, has a Rohloff-specific version, and, most handily, has an integral lock.

[[XAP]Bob]

Chain round the trailer - I doubt many people will try to pinch a trailer, they're not exactly the remit of most thieves.

[Mick F]

You can put a padlock through the hitch of course, rather than a spring-loaded pin.

When I've locked my rig up, I've used a couple of long flexy locks.

The thing is, you don't really need to lock it up as no-one will be likely to run off with the whole lot - especially If you have a heavy load.

[WOOLIFERKINS]

The current Croozer hitch will fit like simonineastons picture above

[simonineaston]

Yes you can subsitute a padlock for the pin, but it won't deter someone 'equipped to steal' as you will only be able to use a padlock with a modest shackle. Potential thieves may well want to separate the bike from the trailer not so much to take the trailer but to free up the bike to knick!

[Vorpal]

When I need to leave the trailer with the bike (the swimming pool is the normal place I need to leave it), I usually unhitch it and lock it to the bike with a decent cable lock. My trailer converts to a buggy, though, and we often take it in with us.

My main criteria in getting a trailer, were I to replace mine today, would be to get one that converts to a buggy. It's great for sleeping children, carrying heavy loads, and easy shopping. I've had a look at some of the kits sold separately, and they don't look nearly as good as the integrated conversion sytems, like on the Chariot and Croozer kiddie trailers.

For someone expecting a new baby, I would suggest that if you intend to transport your baby with the trailer, make certain that you get one that can be fitted with a baby car seat, or that comes with an infant sling.

the other thing that was useful for transporting children was having some internal pockets that they could reach with food, drinks, and/or toys in them.

I'm not sure about compatibility of hitches and hub gears, but most trailer hitches mount outside of the dropouts, on the rear axle.

One more thing.... when you buy your trailer, I recommend getting at least one spare hitch for a second bike. I find myself swapping the hitch between bikes frequently.

[Mick F]

I'm not sure about compatibility of hitches and hub gears .....

Our Carry Freedom and Lollipop Hitch go easily and simply onto Barbarella with her Nexus 8sp. You just undo the wheel nut on the LH side, slip on the hitch unit, and tighten the wheel nut.

The only problem you may have with a hubgear is if you have a control cable on both sides. Providing you have a "plain" side, you can attach a Lollipop Hitch ............ it can be on the left or on the right as the Carry Freedom trailer tow arm can come in from either side. I would imagine - though I have not tried it as yet - that the hitch could go on the RH side equally easily with a Nexus 8sp.