Bicycle Trailer For Camping

[Patensie]

Check out www.crazyguyonabike.com for lots of info on bike touring.

[Fat Boab]

To my knowledge SA isn't really set up for this. BOB, Extrawheel etc are all overseas companies.

 

However racks and panniers are easily sourced here (www.cycletouring.co.za). But if it's a one-off trip and for one-night only, then travel light and wear a small rucksack!

[rudi-h]

I have used BOB trailers before (they are awesome) and I also built 5 trailers myself to date using a similar concept.

 

First trip took me 1300km over Alaska.  A subsequent trip took me and 3 mates 500+km through the Baviaanskloof from PE to Knysna.  A a friend used one of my trailers to cycle from JHB to Maun (Botswana).

 

IMO you want a trailer with only one wheel that fixes to your rear axle if you are going to ride on somewhat challenging terrain.

 

I just scrapped my old trailers two months ago because they were built for 5mm skewer axles (old standard) and my new bike has a 12mm through axle.  I'd try my luck at borrowing / lending something but unfortunately cannot give you any references.  They are not hard to build but the attachment to the bike is challenging, especially with different wheel sizes etc. these days.

 

Hope you come right, you won't regret it.  Touring with a bike and taking all your stuff on a trailer is a different level of awesome.  Also, you cannot carry much more than 25 kg's, after that it starts to mess around with your balance around corners etc, so try and aim for 20 kg's with food and water etc.

 

Good luck!

[HappyMartin]

I toured and camped for six months. Did it with panniers. Managed to carry everything no problem. Panniers are quite stable and you quickly get used to the change in balance.

[Davedk]

I also was thinking about the trailer style tour but watched some YouTube videos of guys who tour alot and all of them suggested panniers. I can't remember why exactly but it had to do with balance. But I haven't done it, so maybe take in all the advice here and maybe chat to someone who has done a trailer trip. And do your research.

[Ryanpmb]

To carry a tent, water supply and perhaps some sleeping bags.

 

I have a range of bicycles to attach the trailer to, 26"/29" and hardtails/softtails.

 

I have a set of old 20" and 26" wheels that I could use. Just not sure how to go about this.

 

I will be travelling approximately 30kms with the trailer, so it would need to be well-built, which is why I would prefer to not construct one myself

Seems excessive to lug a trailer for a 30km trip. Have you thought about bags? A Revelate saddle bag, a bar bag and frame bag should allow you to pack more than you need... Plus no hassle of worrying about additional wheels, etc. AND you can ride wherever your bike is capable of going normally as you don't have the extra width to worry about.

[Singletrack Sarah]

I have used BOB trailers before (they are awesome) and I also built 5 trailers myself to date using a similar concept.

 

First trip took me 1300km over Alaska.  A subsequent trip took me and 3 mates 500+km through the Baviaanskloof from PE to Knysna.  A a friend used one of my trailers to cycle from JHB to Maun (Botswana).

 

IMO you want a trailer with only one wheel that fixes to your rear axle if you are going to ride on somewhat challenging terrain.

 

I just scrapped my old trailers two months ago because they were built for 5mm skewer axles (old standard) and my new bike has a 12mm through axle.  I'd try my luck at borrowing / lending something but unfortunately cannot give you any references.  They are not hard to build but the attachment to the bike is challenging, especially with different wheel sizes etc. these days.

 

Hope you come right, you won't regret it.  Touring with a bike and taking all your stuff on a trailer is a different level of awesome.  Also, you cannot carry much more than 25 kg's, after that it starts to mess around with your balance around corners etc, so try and aim for 20 kg's with food and water etc.

 

Good luck!

 

A bit off topic, but Rudi how long ago did you do the Baviaans? Did you need any permits? 

 

Taariq - I would go with racks and panniers. I did my first short trip with everything in a backpack and it was not nice. 

[Eddy Gordo]

Get yourself some pannier racks, mount you sleeoing to the handles etc.

 

 

http://biketourings.com/uploads/3/1/0/6/3106974/1957840_orig.jpg?358

[rudi-h]

A bit off topic, but Rudi how long ago did you do the Baviaans? Did you need any permits? 

 

Taariq - I would go with racks and panniers. I did my first short trip with everything in a backpack and it was not nice. 

 

Did the baviaans trip December 2012.  Don't need a permit, just need a support vehicle for the section in the kloof itself.  They don't allow bikes only to pass the boom gate.  You can stay over at the entrance and if you are willing to pull a 100km day, you can get all the way through and sleep at the top of Nuwekloof pass or somewhere around there, so you only need a support vehicle for one day.

[rudi-h]

I also was thinking about the trailer style tour but watched some YouTube videos of guys who tour alot and all of them suggested panniers. I can't remember why exactly but it had to do with balance. But I haven't done it, so maybe take in all the advice here and maybe chat to someone who has done a trailer trip. And do your research.

 

Depends on your bike and terrain also.  If you are riding bad roads, corrugation or single track then a trailer is better than panniers IMO.  Panniers and backpacks are no-no's when you ride a full sus...