Bike trailer

Am going to look at a second hand Dave Cooper bike trailer tomorrow with a view to purchase. It's about 18 months old.

What should I look for? What goes wrong with bike trailers?

[skeetly]

18 month old?
I'd imagine it would have to have been crashed, dipped in the sea or used to move something other than bikes to be knackered at that age.
So, look for rust, bent bits and maybe the suspension units not resting at the same level as each other.
Make sure it's theirs

[mattSV]

Check wheel bearings, and lights if it is pre-wired

[KeithCRM]

What size bike you going to carry on it? I bought a Dave Cooper on ebay, sold it a week later, just not strong enough to carry two full size trail bikes. Single trailers might be OK though.

Bought a Brenderup instead, cost twice as much but 10 times better.

[Red Herring]

You get what you pay for, you don't want it so heavy you need a bigger car but to lightweight and it won't last. Check the weight carrying capability, and be careful with some single bike trailers, they have a very narrow wheel track and if the bike ramp is above the rear axle line it make them very prone to falling over on roundabouts, especially if you put a heavy bike on them! Also think about storage, some bike trailers come apart/fold up allowing you to put them round the back of your house or even inside. If it is going to live outside try and get a galvanized one, better against the elements. Has it got a spare tyre and how much use has it had. Some trailer tyres wear really badly on the inside edge so check that, replacements can easily be £50 each. Finally if you are going to use more than one tow vehicle try and get those clips that allow the number plate to be changed easily....

Originally Posted by KeithCRM

What size bike you going to carry on it? I bought a Dave Cooper on ebay, sold it a week later, just not strong enough to carry two full size trail bikes. Single trailers might be OK though.

Bought a Brenderup instead, cost twice as much but 10 times better.

My D675. 177kg dry, 189kg wet.

Thanks for all the replies people, the info is really helpful.

OMG what a POS. 18 months old my ar$e, more like 18 years. It was knackered, not worth £50 let alone nearly £200. Repainted (badly) with Hammerite and the rust still coming through. Replaced jockey wheel and tow coupler, I'd say some time ago. No lighting board, no nothing. I doubted it would take the weight, so it was a no no for that reason alone, but it was a very tired example.

Thanks Daryl for taking me over there

Originally Posted by Ed

OMG what a POS. 18 months old my ar$e, more like 18 years. It was knackered, not worth £50 let alone nearly £200. Repainted (badly) with Hammerite and the rust still coming through. Replaced jockey wheel and tow coupler, I'd say some time ago. No lighting board, no nothing. I doubted it would take the weight, so it was a no no for that reason alone, but it was a very tired example.

Thanks Daryl for taking me over there

My pleasure mon ami, shame it was only worth the scrap value.

Daryl.