Using a Pet Trailer with a Ride1Up Turris?

[Cortiz108]

I recently bought a Turris (so recently that I'm still assembling). I'm looking for experience/advice about carrying a dog. I was thinking about this trailer from Lectric.

But.... Ride1Up says that they don't recommend axle-mounted trailers because they put excess weight on the left side, which strains the motor. Is that just being super-extra cautious? I won't be a super frequent user, and bike+trailer would only be about 40lbs. They recommended one with a seatpost attachment instead, but I've read that they're less stable and more prone to flipping over.

They also said that the Turris has a threaded axle rather than a nutted axle. Is that even a difference? I'm trying to figure out if the carrier is even compatible. Pic from Lectric instructions:

As you can see in the picture below, my dog is the anxious worried type. He got suspicious and weirded out just being asked to sit by the bike so I could take a picture to show his size. With that in mind, is a trailer the best option for stability etc. or should I consider something mounted on the handlebars, or even a basket? I was looking at the BuddyRider (shown in the last pic) and I like that he'd be up with me and maybe feel protected by my arms, but he'd also feel "suspended" and a lot more movement from the handlebars. He hates flying.

 

[PCeBiker]

They do have one wheeled bike trailers that attach to both sides of the axle,..

There might be a clearance issue with your ebike at the axle flange?
It's hard to tell from the picture of your ebike.

This dog looks Very Unhappy with the trailer though, so I don't know if your dog would approve or not.

 

[Cortiz108]

Haha, yeah, the "hangdog" expression is real. I wonder how stable those one-wheeled trailers are.

Given that I see e-bikes of all brands with trailers pulling kids and bigger dogs, I'm tending to be a little skeptical about Ride1Up's advice. I mean, they basically all have similar design and technology, right?

 

[PCeBiker]

Haha, yeah, the "hangdog" expression is real. I wonder how stable those one-wheeled trailers are.

The trailer is a stable as your ebike is.
When your ebike leans over, the trailer leans over at the same angle.
Your dog should get used to it. It won't be sliding left and right when you go around a corner like a dog in a two wheeled trailer would.

Given that I see e-bikes of all brands with trailers pulling kids and bigger dogs, I'm tending to be a little skeptical about Ride1Up's advice. I mean, they basically all have similar design and technology, right?

Yeah, you should have enough thread to bolt a trailer attachment to it, but see if there is anything blocking the area where the hitch will be.

This is my ebike.

I'd have to remove my fender brackets and my derailleur guard to install that trailer hitch.

Can you take a close up picture of your axle flanges so we can see better.

The attachment will look like this,..

You'll need clearance for it.

 

[Cortiz108]

Here's the bike axle, and my first post has a screengrab of the instruction manual for the trailer I'm looking at:

I was told in a FB group that I'll need to either get an hitch adapter (top) or use a pipe hanger bracket (bottom):

 

[PCeBiker]

,.. my first post has a screengrab of the instruction manual for the trailer I'm looking at:

That's what I've got on my old e-bike and it should work for your ebike.
You've got a frame tube just above your axle, but that attachment should clear it.

The one wheeled trailer attachment hooks down from the top so you could remove the axle bolts and slide it on but it may not clear the frame tube because it's kinda big?
Something like this,..

I was told in a FB group that I'll need to either get an hitch adapter (top) or use a pipe hanger bracket (bottom):

That hitch adapter and axle connector is what I have,..

I did have to drill out the axle hole bigger because it's for a 10mm bike axle my ebike has a 12mm axle.


I'm sure you'll be fine with a two wheeled trailer and attachment like mine, especially if anyone on Facebook has done it with your specific ebike.

Just ride smoothly and avoid stressing the connection with hard braking, accelerating, or bouncing.

You wouldn't do that with your in the trailer anyway.

Just be careful and go slow.
No wheelies, skids or burnouts.

 

[Cortiz108]

Now a few people have recommended dog backpacks, so I'm going try to test one out with my dog. Seems easier and more portable for walking around after parking.

 

[xc rider]

Whatever you do, don't remove the metal plate under your axle nut and always check and make sure the allen bolt (on top of the fender stay) is always tight. That plate makes sure the motor won't spin the axle in bikes frame.

 

[PCeBiker]

I was told in a FB group that I'll need to either get an hitch adapter (top)

I didn't realize that hitch adapter clamps on to the frame.

That's a good idea. You don't have to mess with your axle.

 

[Cortiz108]

I was thinking it might also be possible to get an extension to attach it to the seat post, which is what Ride1Up suggested. They said better weight distribution would put less strain on the motor.

 

[PCeBiker]

The problem with a seat post attachment is that it mounts high off the ground, and it's more inclined to throw your balance off as it pushes and pulls just below your seat.

That may not amount to much though, if your trailer is light and ride gently.

 

[PCeBiker]

You could buy a bike for your dog,.

And get this tow bar for it, then your dog won't fall over and won't have to pedal.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

And get this tow bar for it, then your dog won't fall over and won't have to pedal.
View attachment 174932

Here in coastal north San Diego County, the parents would just buy the kid a RadRunner or similar ghost-pedalable ebike and turn them loose on the world.

 

[PCeBiker]

Both of those pictures happen to be from the UK.
It's amazing how much safer a 25kph speed limit is.
When I speed up from 25kph to 32kph, it feels WAY Faster.
You speed demons going 48kph in the US are .


You better pimp out your dog with the appropriate riding gear,..

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

You better pimp out your dog with the appropriate riding gear,..


View attachment 174933

The dog on the left looks a lot like my sweet little 23 lb kelpie-chihuahua mix. (Those chihuahuas really get around.)

You'd lose a hand trying to dress her like that.

 

[Cortiz108]

Haha, yeah mine's half chihuahua, too.

I've had 3 people recommend backpacks now, so I'm going to order one and try it out. The more I think about it, it seems like much less hassle than a trailer, especially for a 17lb dog.

 

[PCeBiker]

I've had 3 people recommend backpacks now, so I'm going to order one and try it out.

They also have forwarded facing backpacks for dogs. That way your dog can see where you're going, and you can see your dog.

I have no idea how well that would work on an ebike though.

 

[Slaphappygamer]

Here in coastal north San Diego County, the parents would just buy the kid a RadRunner or similar ghost-pedalable ebike and turn them loose on the world.

I see that on most days. I’m not really looking forward to commuting with more kids like that over summer break.

My buddy had a similarly small dog. He had him in a font mounted basket. Blankets and all. Worked out well, for years…..until his dog finally passed.

 

[Bill G]

If you're in the market for a pet trailer, I understand that Kristi Noem might have a lightly used one for sale.

 

[Rome]

I like this one.
Same thing as the ones I looked at on Amazon Burley about $500 .
And you have the option to install hub motor on it.
I looks sturdy it even has coil shocks to absorb wheel hops when not loaded
I have to measure my axle width with 11 speed cassette. I know it's 12 mm though axle.