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In times of high petrol prices and congested city centres, some people are considering a cargo bike, partly because there is financial support available from local authorities. But the price is high and the driving pleasure is low if such a vehicle is to be used every day and not as a luxury second bike. The alternative is a trailer for the bike.
3. The fork drawbar: Used on trailers that only have one wheel, so-called single-track trailers. Is also attached to the rear axle, on both sides. Advantage: Pulls more evenly than the flat drawbar. Disadvantage: Difficult to hook in and out.
There are also regulations for trailers in our overwhelmingly over-regulated country. Lighting: The trailer often obscures the rear light of the bike. If this is the case, a rear light must be fitted. Reflectors are mandatory at the back. The maximum size is surprising: width 2.55 m, height 4 m, length 12 m.
Below is a small overview of different trailer models that come from Germany. A large supplier is Roland-Werke from Oldenburg: Check out roland-werk.de. The cheapest model is the Mini-Boy. With a plastic box, holds 60 liters, costs around 150 euros. Weighs 8 kg and allows a load of 40 kg. Only suitable for small purchases.
The Jumbo or Carrie me models are recommended. The Jumbo model has a loading volume of 175 liters, really big, and a payload of 200 kg. You can even do a small move with it. For around 550 euros. Carrie me is a modular model that you can put together according to your own wishes. The basic model is a flat transport trolley, onto which you can mount folding side walls in different colors, for example. It costs around 750 euros. These two also have a parking foot, so that the thing stands horizontally when it is uncoupled. Your local bike dealer also has Roland trailers.
A second relatively new provider is the Berlin Brands Group with the Klarfit brand. The Klarfit Companion Travel cargo trailer is a flat platform trolley measuring 42 x 63 cm, the loading area is made of multiplex wood.
Lashing straps are included, and when the cart is not in use, it can be easily dismantled, meaning the wheels and the drawbar are removed. It costs around 200 euros, looks very nice and makes a practical impression, as you can load it as high as you want.
Another model from Klarfit: The Follower, a single-track trailer, meaning it only has one wheel. The payload is rather low, but you hardly notice the trailer when cycling. It is a bit fiddly to attach, so it is more intended for bike tours and excursions. Costs around 150 to 200 euros, there are special offers.
The bicycle trailer, which has everything you need, comes from Bremerhaven from the company creaconstruct. The Tough 400 model has what most others don't: a hydraulic overrun brake. Why is that? If you've packed the trailer full, you'll notice it at the intersection: the weight pushes. The braking distance easily doubles, which is dangerous. What else it has: a parking brake when the thing is parked.
Through-loading option: With other models, bulky items have to be strapped on top somehow and therefore fall off. With the Tough, the side walls can be folded down at the front and back. This means that the roof battens for the garden shed can be moved safely. If you really use your bike as a means of transport every day, you can't avoid this trailer, even though the price is high at 2,800 euros. Information here: www.creaconstruct.de.
Peter Hornung-Sohner deserves a special mention. He's our man in Munich who builds trailers with award-winning designs. His company is called Hinterher because you pull the trailer behind you, not push it, right? They have the widest range in Germany, well thought out, functional and also good looking. A description of the individual models would result in a thick catalogue. Take a look yourself at hinter.com. There are platform trailers and ones with aluminum boxes. The prices are in the middle range and when you consider that the chaises are made by hand, then it's dirt cheap: buy it.
Well, still: The whole thing isn't cheap. It can be worth buying a used part. If you look around on the classifieds marketplaces, you'll see that many trailers are from the GDR era. Why? Because in times of scarcity, there weren't many cars available.
Let's start with the most popular model: the Rollfix "handcart" from the IFA-Motorenwerke Nordhausen. An incredible 750,000 of these were produced. In socialist times, it was also called "Klaufix" because the required materials could be transported away quickly - even without authorization. Or the FA56 from VEB Transportgerätebau Leipzig, built between 56 and 68, popular in combination with a Simson moped. The third in the group is the MWH/F type from VEB Metallwerke Heldrungen, an all-metal trailer, recommended retail price at the time of 175 marks.
These trailers weigh around 20 kg and can carry a load of around 40 kg. If you buy a used one, you should pay attention to the wheels. They are usually in poor condition due to overloading. New wheels with tires are available from Sport Prager GmbH, Chemnitz, for around 120 euros.
On the home stretch of this article: There are a huge number of trailer models, most of them from China. Because recent events have shown that globalization also has certain disadvantages, these were not taken into account: Buy local. Also not mentioned due to space constraints: Surly, Carla-Cargo, Robert XL, donkeytrailers, Busybike, Qeedo-cargo and Burley; if necessary, look it up yourself, not with Google but with Startpage. What would the author buy if he had to? Probably a model from Hinterher.com. But: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So form your own opinion. (Christoph Preussler)
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