Trailer to haul bike?

[TsPoet]

Just traded in my big 'ole truck for a tiny subcombact. Anybody have any experinece with these, or something like them?
http://www.rackandroll.com/
With my iffy shoulders, it's difficult to lift things onto the roof of my car. I also need to transport a kayak sometimes.
I'm also hoping for an option that won't kill my gas mileage (or performance) too much.

thanks,

[HillSlugger]

I don't have any experience with this, but it seems awfully expensive. In addition to the cost of the trailer you need to add the price of a trailer hitch and installation, as well as the rack components. However, considering your vehicle and your shoulders it may be your best solution.

[SadieKate]

TS, have looked at any of the racks that pivot and lift the bikes onto the roof? I think Draftmaster is one of the brands. Maillotpois has one for her tandem. We need to replace our tandem rack so I'll be doing some research. If I see anything, I'll let you know. Let me know if you find something also!

On the trailer, I think it would be fine. I've seen them. But two things, light trailers tend to bounce around a lot so one bike could mean the thing is jouncing all over the place.

Also, trailers are a pain in the patootie a lot of times - parking, turning around, etc. We haul trailers a lot. It takes planning and we try not to unless except for the times we absolutely can't do it any other way (like hauling drift boats or 10 bikes).

[Tuckervill]

My dad has an old boat trailer that he uses for things like that (not bikes). Usually we load up the canoe and then load the canoe with the camping gear. It's useful that way, because where we camp on the river you can't drive, but you can walk that loaded boat trailer down there. Saves a lot of trips.

I personally use a hitch with a tray for hauling cargo on my Beetle. For our bikes I use a Yakima King Pin rack. I've never hauled dad's trailer from my Beetle, but I bet I could.

It's important to check the rating of your vehicle for towing, how big a hitch you can get for it, and how much weight you can put on the hitch. Hitches are not that expensive. I think the one for my car was about $135.

SadieKate is right about the bouncing around. I also would put a flag on the end of it so you can see it when you are backing up.

Karen

[Tuckervill]

I finally found the MSRP on that trailer!

TWO THOUSAND dollars!!!!???

I expected to be surprised if it was one thousand.

A small used boat trailer with modifications you could probably get for about $500.

Karen

[TsPoet]

I don't have any experience with this, but it seems awfully expensive. In addition to the cost of the trailer you need to add the price of a trailer hitch and installation, as well as the rack components. However, considering your vehicle and your shoulders it may be your best solution.

I finally found the MSRP on that trailer!

TWO THOUSAND dollars!!!!???

I expected to be surprised if it was one thousand.

A small used boat trailer with modifications you could probably get for about $500.

Karen

For some reason, I had it in my mind that it was 1/2 that! I thought 1/2 that was very expensive, so I've got to dissagree with Tuckervill, it isn't expensive, 2 x expensive = exorbitant

Thanks for all the replies