Bike trailer or what?

[one-shot-wonder]

I am heading into a vehicle closure area and looking to haul in and out some gear behind my mountain bike.

What do you guys use?

Do those Kiddie trailers work? What are they generally rated for load?

I don't have the time to build a trailer as it is short notice, looking to borrow/rent one if possible too.

I am not sure if I will be able to ride out with a moose quarter on my back.

[compton]

I did a little elk hunting opening week in a road closure area with my mountain bike and I borrowed a trailer from a buddy. It was 24 inches wide by 40 inches long with 24 inch high sides made out of aluminum. The hitch connected to the rear axle of the bike. We tested it with 200 pounds and it worked fine until you hit the hills then it was faster and easier just to push it but a much better option then carrying a pack while riding. He had it built for $500, but I know mountain bike stores sell flat deck carts you can buy for about $300 but they are only rated for 100 pounds.

As it was we didn't like the area we hunted in so I'm happy I didn't invest time and money to make a trailer. But it is a good way into the back country if the roads are good and not to steep. I would make an aluminum trailer with little or no sides and just have lots of lashing to tie the load down. The sides add much weight, made it cumbersome for transport in the truck and created loud noises while towing. If you do make one push the axle back past center of the trailer because with the axle centered the bike tire would lose traction while pulling loads up hill.

[JeffR]

Check out the BOB trailers at bobgear.com or check it out in use: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND0SERkAAtw

Or, I wonder if you couldn't rig up a game cart to tow behind a bike.

[one-shot-wonder]

With time not on my side, I was considering picking up something like this:

Does anybody have experience with these, I wonder if they have the load capacity for packing a meat quarter(s)?

http://classifieds.castanet.net/data/203/large/castanet_002.jpg

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Forgot the link, there OSW.

You've got a quad right?? Just pop the motor out of it and tow it behind your bike:smile:. Carrying capacity is much higher that a chariot...but it sounds like you might have use for a chariot in the near future:shock:.

SSS

[Barracuda]

There is a company by the name of MacShaw that produces the very product you are looking for. they have a link on the BCWF website i think.
They will carry a huge load and I am sure will suit your needs.

[ElkMasterC]

Funny you should ask.

I spent a few days in the rockies in a vehicle closed area for Elk bow season this year. It was SO much fun, we went back for Mulie gun. ;-)
Like Compton said, you spend any uphill time pushing the bike. We had an average 10% + grade for 6 miles.
Coming OUT is a hoot, tho! All brakes and smiles

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj313/Heliox18/DSC01216.jpg

I loaded it with my packframe, stove, food, water, clothes bow etc, and it handled it quite well.
I wasn't fortunate enough to haul meat out, but this style, an Instep "Rocket" is rated for 100 lbs of kid, so I'm thinking 150+ of dead meat.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj313/Heliox18/DSC01215.jpg

My buddy (HumbleHunter) had the yellow "Winchester" model with a steel frame. Not only was it heavier, it didn't ride as well as my lighter, aluminum Instep.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj313/Heliox18/DSC01158-1.jpg

I HIGHLY recommend this style of hunting. We saw some truly awesome country, and lots of these guys:

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj313/Heliox18/DSC01474-1.jpg

and some of these guys:

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj313/Heliox18/DSC01160.jpg

And you wake up to this:

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj313/Heliox18/DSC01181.jpg

Any more questions, feel free!

EMC

[SHAKER]

How about one of these?? easily adaped onto a mnt. bike!
This pic is from last week.
http://i33.tinypic.com/149xst2.jpg

[ElkMasterC]

You're gonna have to work on the old "Sawing the Elk in half" trick, there, Shaker!
Or should I call you "Reveen"?

Hey, didn't you get a sheep too?

You're having a season, aren't ya?

Me, I broke in my Meindls....

lmao

[6616]

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj313/Heliox18/DSC01158-1.jpg



Looks like C Wall/Mount B area?
Great photos.

[ElkMasterC]

I was over there, then here, and then we went up there.
That's all I can say...lol

[SHAKER]

You're gonna have to work on the old "Sawing the Elk in half" trick, there, Shaker!
Or should I call you "Reveen"?

Hey, didn't you get a sheep too?

You're having a season, aren't ya?

Me, I broke in my Meindls....

lmao

Somewhat of a good year so far... Shot a tank of a bear this spring... got my Ram! I didnt' get this elk but all the nice fancy quads couldn't handle the load like my 14'000 + km big bear. We managed to get 2 bulls about 40 yards apart. Made for a nice convoy come'n out of the bush.