Why You Need An Expedition Grade Bicycle Trailer
My first bicycle trailer was the Burley Nomad. It lasted five thousand miles. At that point, the front of the Burley trailer frame had sagged to such a degree that ground clearance was compromised. Next, I purchased a trailer on Amazon. This trailer was barely holding together with Gorilla tape after two thousand miles.
The best trailer I purchased was the Kwik-Pak trailer (no longer available). Even with the Kwik-Pak trailer, however, I experienced broken trailer frames in Waynesboro, Virginia and Millersburg, Ohio. I experienced broken draw arms in Marysville, California and Grand Island, Nebraska. Broken axles occured in Rantoul, Illinois and during a snow storm in the aptly named Bitterroot Mountains of Montana.
Why do I recall these specific locations? Each location is etched in my memory because I was traumatized every time I had a breakdown! When your bicycle trailer fails, it is the emotional equivalent of simultaneously losing your car AND your home! With a broken draw arm, it is difficult to move your trailer out of the traffic lane, much less find a place to camp! My entire bicycle touring lifestyle depends on horizontal mobility!
Because I had so many problems with the various bicycle trailers I purchased, I finally decided the only solution was to build my own “expedition grade” bicycle cargo trailer. I desperately needed a strong, reliable trailer capable of traveling around the United States without breaking down or causing problems. My new trailer had real structural integrity. I experienced no further trailer breakdowns. Finally, I had a trailer that was truly worthy of being towed behind a classic Italian road bike!
Thomas J. Lowry III
Author of “Chasing Spring”
Bicycle Joy Cargo Trailer
The Bicycle Joy expedition grade bicycle cargo trailer is specifically designed for long distance, self-supported bicycle touring. The trailer features a lightweight alloy frame, a flexible receiver, a watertight cargo tote, and a large Department of Transportation approved safety triangle attached to the rear of the trailer. Simply put, it makes a lot of sense to take all that weight off your bicycle and to carry your gear, groceries, cooking fuel, and water in a high quality, lightweight, easy-to-load, watertight bicycle cargo trailer! The special features of our bicycle trailer are described below:
1. Bicycle Joy cargo trailers are precision built in Austin, Texas. A paperback copy of the book “Chasing Spring: The Life Affirming Joy of Touring America by Bicycle” is included with each trailer!
2. The Bicycle Joy cargo trailer is designed to safely carry a maximum load of 125 pounds. The Bicycle Joy cargo trailer weighs only 19 pounds! The trailer measures 50″ from the tip of the receiver to the rear safety triangle and 31″ from the outside edge of the left hub to the outside edge of the right hub. The extra wide wheelbase helps prevent dangerous rollovers!
3. The interior dimensions of the cargo tote are 26″ L x 18″ W x 15″ H. All the gear, groceries, cooking fuel, and water containers listed in the book “Chasing Spring,” Appendix 3, “Gear Checklist,” will fit nicely in the cargo tote! A handy storage space behind the tote accommodates Teva sandals, wet rain gear, and up to two gallons of water!
4. Every detail of our trailer is truly “expedition grade.” The alloy trailer frame and draw arm are joined with a super strong steel insert. This crucial component provides complete peace of mind no matter how rough the roads are! Scroll through the photos of the Bicycle Joy cargo trailer and check out the simple, elegant, foolproof design for yourself!
5. The trailer draw arm attaches to the hitch bracket with an extremely strong, flexible, rubber receiver. The flexible receiver allows the bicycle to move freely while towing the trailer. If your bicycle falls over while attached to the trailer, the hitch and receiver will not be damaged!
6. The Bicycle Joy cargo trailer features a premium 20″ x 1.5″ wheelset with thirty-six hole alloy rims and stainless spokes. Super strong steel axles with convenient push button quick releases make it easy to repair flats. The smooth running, high quality hubs with sealed bearings are maintenance free. High-pressure 20″ x 1.5″ tires provide safe, reliable, high mileage service!
7. The Bicycle Joy cargo trailer is shipped with a Sterilite 27 gallon industrial tote which is pre-drilled and ready to install with the machine bolts, washers, and lock nuts provided. If you carry less gear, you can easily install a smaller tote. The strong, lightweight, watertight cargo tote includes a safety yellow lid which clamps securely to the cargo tote and overhangs the edges of the cargo tote. This overhang provides absolute waterproof protection in a manner similar to the design of the Ortleib handlebar bag!
8. Strong, flat bungee cords are included. They attach to the lower corners of the trailer and form an X on top of the cargo lid. These bungee cords allow you to secure items to the top of the trailer. For example, the author of “Chasing Spring” secures his yoga mat and solar panel to the top of his trailer using these bungee cords. The cargo lid is recessed to help secure items carried on top of the trailer!
9. A large, highly reflective, Department of Transportation approved safety triangle is attached to the rear of the trailer. The safety triangle is visible from a great distance and will help keep you safe! Scroll through the photos of the Bicycle Joy cargo trailer and check out this crucial safety feature for yourself!
10. There is no charge to replace frame components that fail under conditions of normal use. If you need to contact us, our email address is:
We send replacement frame components by U. S. Postal Service Priority Mail at our expense. We take great pride in our customer service!
Bicycle Joy Cargo Trailer
Bicycle Joy expedition grade bicycle cargo trailer with cargo tote, safety triangle, hardware, and bungee cords. A paperback copy of the book “Chasing Spring: The Life Affirming Joy of Touring America by Bicycle” is included with each trailer, $499.
Replacement Trailer Parts
Wheelset, $99
Axle, $19
Rubber hub caps (2), $9
Hitch bracket, $9
Flexible receiver, $9
Locking pin, $9
Safety triangle, $19
Prices shown include ground shipping and applicable sales tax. Your purchases help Bicycle Joy promote bicycle touring!