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I bought DGF an early 50th Birthday present. A Trek 7200 Hybrid bike. She's got all kinds of commuting ideas now. A trailer to haul behind it for groceries, mailing packages, etc... Anyone use a trailer or any ideas?? What about large panniers? How much weight is the max in panniers? Thanks
The max weight for your panniers is determined by the max capacity of the rack you use them on. There are wimpy racks and sturdy racks, so you can get what you need pretty easily.
I have a Croozer dog trailer, basically folding dog crate on wheels. Great capacity and you can fold the "crate" down and use it as a flat-bed trailer if you need to.
I have a Bike Revolution trailer (rubbermaid action tote on wheels) and love it. Fits through doors, and wheels easily. Easy to attach/detach. I think the weight capacity is 100 lbs. DH has come home with 50 lbs of dog food and assorted other things with no issues.
CA
You might put this question on the commuting list. Commuters have different hauling needs than tourists, racers, mountain bikers, etc.
As a hard-core commuter, I don't routinely use my trailer, but I could wish for more storage space. I have a rack and a trunk with fold-out panniers. I have a bigger pannier I sometimes use instead of the fold-outs.
My lunch fits in the trunk, lock(s) in the fold-out panniers. In warmer weather I bring a change of clothes which I stuff in the fold-out pannier or, if I need different shoes, I use the bigger (grocery sack-style) pannier. With rain, I bring a COMPLETE change of clothes wrapped in plastic sacks! That takes up more space too.
Sometimes I think it would be worth it just to use a backpack instead.
I used a BOB trailer when I was commuting, for errands, and we also use it off road on trail maintenance days. It holds 80#, tracks well, is easy to attach and detach from the bike.
Before that I was using a backpack only but it just doesn't hold that many groceries/library books/chainsaw & shovels, etc etc.