Product Description

The Trail-Gator™ tow bar converts an ordinary child's bike into a safe, towable trailer bike. When the child's bike is connected, the front wheel is lifted off the ground and a stabilizing bar prevents the handlebars from turning, so the adult is in control of steering. Children can choose to coast or pedal while they are being towed, making the ride much easier for them.

Product Details

• Color: Red
• Brand: Trail-Gator
• Model: 94784M
• Released on: 2008-11-09
• Dimensions: 6.00" h x 8.00" w x 24.00" l, 8.00 pounds

Features

• Tow Bar converts an ordinary child's bike into a safe, towable bike trailer
• Once bar is installed, child's bike can be attached or disconnected anytime, without tools
• For children with a maximum weight of 70.5 pounds
• Adult must weigh at least twice that of the child rider
• Fits 12- to 20-inch tire size children's bikes

Amazon.com Product Description
The Trail-Gator Bicycle Tow Bar converts an ordinary child's bike into a safe, towable bike trailer whenever desired--even on-the-go, mid-ride. When not in use, the bar stores out-of-the-way on the adult's bike. To attach, simply unclip the tow bar from its stowed position, extend it, and connect it to the receiver mount attached to the child's bike. Once attached, the child's front bike wheel is lifted off the ground and a stabilizing bar prevents the handlebars from turning, leaving the adult fully in control of steering. Children with a maximum weight of 70.5 pounds can choose to coast or pedal while being towed, making the ride fun and easy for them. Virtually every commercial bike can be attached, and the Trail-Gator fits 12-to-20-inch children's bikes.

The tow bar stows against the adult's bike when not in use, and can be easily attached to a child's bike without tools once all mounting brackets are properly installed.

General Requirements for Tow Bar Use

• Fits 12- to 20-inch tire size children's bikes
• Adult bike minimum size tire diameter: 25-inches
• Tow bar receiver fits children's bikes with head tubes up to 45 millimeters in diameter and expands for bolting distance of 105 millimeters for top and bottom U-bolt spacing
• Fits adult bike seat post diameter of 1-1.25 inches
• For use with children up to 70 pounds
• Adult rider must weigh at least twice that of child rider
• Child bike must have rear free wheel capability (bike capable of coasting without pedaling)

Customer Reviews

Very good, capable product
Puchased this last week and installed it relatively easly. Being a bit particular, I had a tough time getting the the kid's bike to trail straight behind the adults, and to stand straight upright. The first adjustment turned out to be a bit easier to accomplish then the second.

Seemed to work well, although I don't think I'd like to push the listed weight limit of 100lbs (didn't seem like it had a big margin). Very easiy and quick to hook-up the two bikes, but there are 2 things that you'll have to remember to do or you could have an injurred little rider (but the instructions do a fine job of warning you).

The kid's bike is supposed to have a front wheel ground-clearance of 3-5 inches, which means that if you're careful during the installation then you'll be able to adjust the adult seat height for different riders (for us it's the difference between my wife and me).

You'll pretty quickly learn the tricks, like turning the adult bike 90 degress to the kid's bike when you're parking them (which allows the adult kickstand to work). We had a 2 wheel trailer before, and this feels a bit different due to the kid moving around. If you've got a heavy kid and light adult it could take some getting used to. But, it is easier and lighter to pull this then the trailer, and the kid really does help with peddling (just make sure they don't try to peddle backward).

As an odd application, it occured to me that it would work well to transport an empty bike for somebody else to ride (i.e. how do you use your own bike to also pull an empty bike for somebody else to use at your destination). If you've got a frequent need for this, then it might work with even a full-sized bike. The installation effort wouldn't make it worthwhile for a short, single use, but it's an interesting idea.

Overall I think it's well made and a good purchase. It comes with a number of parts for fitting different bikes, and you can go to the manufacture's web page for a PDF instructions if you want to figure out in advance whether it'll work with your equipment. In terms of the equpment you get, it's a bit more expensive then the single-wheel tag-alongs, but the dollars out of pocket are considerably less, it's less equipment to store, your kid will get practice on their own bike, and it'll likely retain a good deal of its value for resale.

Great Concept with One Weak Point
I bought this product due to the flexibility of being able to tow my kid, still having a full bike to ride once we reached our destination, and compact storing of tow bar when not in use.

The product concept is great and the implementation is OK for slow rides on level ground.

The weak point is the attachment to the child's bike. After checking and tightening the attachment bracket several times it rotated slightly on our first small downhill descent (when I appllied my brakes) resulting in a scraped knee for my daughter. I researched this further on the internet and found others with concerns about the attachment bracket(some contemplating welding it in place).

The attachment uses two steel brackets and U-bolts that mount around the headtube. The mounting will scratch the bikes paint when the proper torque is applied.

Great concept and if/until they improve the childs bike attachment bracket I would not use this product on rough terrain or down steep hills.

I returned the Trail Gator and bought a traditional one wheel trailer bike.

Less is More
This a terrific solution for getting your Jr. cyclist going. Coupled with the quick release training wheels that they also sell I have the perfect family ride solution. (really they should just sell the oversized nuts)

We live about 5 blocks from a nice bike trail, with two major street crossings. No problem. I hook my son up to the back of my bike (its all quick release) at the house, drag him over to the bike trail. Then disconnect the bar, flip the training wheels, stick the Trail Gator in my backpack and he his on his way. He rides for about 30 minutes and is pooped. No problem I hook him back up, and the family keeps going on our hour long ride.

Less to store than with one of those 1/2 bikes.

This is my second kid on this system. I can't say enough about it.