Recommendations for small person hauling large trailer
Posted by radial-glia@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 4 comments
I'm looking for an ebike to use with a large trailer for my disabled child. The trailer is 47" tall, 66" long, 30.5" wide, and 44lbs. My kid is only 35lbs right now, but seems pretty intent on just getting bigger. The trailer will fit him into adulthood and can hold 187lbs.
Here's the issue though. I am 4'9" and not very comfortable with bikes. I have never ridden an ebike, but I know there is no way I can haul this kid without a really good motor helping me. We have a bike path near us that I'd like to ride, but we live on a big hill.
I have no clue where to start. I tried going to a local bike shop but they only had a few bikes and none seemed right.
Does anyone have any suggestions of bikes, or even just what kind of specs like hub motor vs mid-drive motor and minimum motor size for what I want?
untitledgetname@reddit
You'll need a model with high weight capacity, like cargo bikes. If your child maxes the weight limit of the trailer you'd be towing 230lbs, before counting the weight of yourself + gear etc.
Standard sized tires might be necessary. Hitching to a lower axle may distribute weight differently than the trailer's manufacturer intended, which could strain the components and affect safe handling.
Research whether this trailer can hitch to ebike axles by default, or if there's a suitable adapter. The Robert Axle Project is a good resource.
radial-glia@reddit (OP)
Thanks! I'll look into it! I didn't even think about compatibility with the hitch.
TwoWheel_Detective@reddit
There's a few odd ebikes for 4'9" riders but I think the mfg. often overstate
size range. The only way you're going to be sure is to try them out. Maybe
call a few other bike shops and ask what they have.
The 4'9" rider advertised bikes I found were all very low power for your use case.
The bikes are on the light side, which is good, but come with a small motor
and battery.
The other side of the coin is the braking power, which you're going to need
a lot of to slow the rig down.
komi54@reddit
If you get a good step-through, you should be fine. Long-term, I think you would want a mid-drive for the gear advantage for hills.