Cycling UK Forum

I have been following the discussion about panniers versus trailers. I use panniers when touring but have a trailer for shopping. It is a quite wide and heavy two wheel trailer that clamps just in front of the left rear wheel drop out. The trailer does not seem to sit directly in line with the bike and always feel as if it is pulling to the left.
I dont know whether this is because roads tend to slope down to the gutter or whether it is because of the type of fixing - (a big spring provides the universal joint).

I have no experience of other fixings.
Can anyone tell me whether a different fixing would feel better - I'm thinking of getting a lighter weight trailer (especially if I get a canoe)
all advice welcome
thanks - Jennifer

Jennifer

try this URL, at the bottom a Kayak towing trailer is mentioned

http://www.carryfreedom.com/Y-Frame.html

I use there Y trailer and have towed 60lb loads with there hitch being atached to the rear axle and have no towing biase felt even on steep cambers

Marc

Jennifer here's the pictures of the hitch in place

http://www.carryfreedom.com/hitch.html

Marc

Thanks Marc - there was loads of info on this site including C+ reviews of other trailers - very helpful

Jennifer

The BOB Yak has a coupling system which has virtually no effect on bike handling. The trailer has a yoke with ends shaped like front fork ends. The bike's back axle is replaced by a special one (which can be either q/r or with nuts) whose ends have grooves to fit the trailer's yoke. This is all held in place with spring clips. This trailer forms quite a long set-up but I have no idea if it would be long enough for a kayak.

Yak bob will take a kayak no problems, just put it on sideways and ride in the centre of the lane. It'll certainly make the motorists give you a wide berth. Oh and don't lean too far when cornering - though you could fit castors to each end of the boat to help with this

Sorry - couldn't resist this

thanks tc - and stinninspan, its an inflatable or folding canoe that i'm looking for so dont really want to be a long vehicle.
Do you think a single wheel trailer would be stable enough? I dont like falling off my bike.

I have never felt likely to fall off because of towing mine and I have never heard anyone else report this as a problem. If anything, because the single wheel follows your bike precisely, you are more stable than with a two wheeler.

When I was trying (and ultimately failing) to encourage my youngest son to cycle, I would cycle the four miles to his school with his bike strapped to my Bob trailer. I simply removed the bikes front wheel and turned the handlebars then put the bike upside down in the trailer, wedged the wheel in place then strapped it all up. It made for an interesting ride because it was a little top heavy so would tend to make the bike pitch around a bit especially on corners. With a lower CoM the bike is more stable. If your folding boat stashes low it should be OK.

Bear in mind all trailers will affect the handling in some manner. The YAK is well designed but it is the only trailer I have experience with. I do find that with heavy loads the tail does wag the dog a bit and you can feel the whole bike frame flexing and speed can be interesting as can hard braking.

I have moved bags of cement (25kg) with mine and also all my clothing etc. for a 6 month stay in Holland so it could be a solution to what you are after. Go and try some out - you're welcome to try my Yak out if you live nearby - bring your canoe

Thanks for the kind offer - but having read the reviews I think I've decided to go with the 2 wheel Y trailer. As long as it wont interfear with my Rohloff hub it will, I think, be more versatile and more suitable for everyday shopping etc.
Thanks for all your help - Jennifer

Just to pick up on what third crank said

"I have never felt likely to fall off because of towing mine and I have never heard anyone else report this as a problem. If anything, because the single wheel follows your bike precisely, you are more stable than with a two wheeler."

In my opinion one wheel trailers are good of road and passable on road, while two wheel trailers good on road and passable off road. I work for Carry Freedom, so have a natural bias towards two wheel trailers, however.

I know directly of two RTA's due to shimmy using a Bob Yak, the tail does tend to wag the dog if cycling fast, going through sharp/sudden corners, or carrying too much. Tests done for us by the Royal Mail showed convincingly that two wheel trailers were more efficient than panniers or one wheel trailers.

If anyone is interested in the relevant extract from the Royal Mail report, then email me and I will send the pdf back to you. Our Info page explores the relative merits of all trailers and tries to explain why they behave as they do. http://www.carryfreedom.com/info.html

Hope this helps

Nick