The Rock Island Trail

47 yr old Dad. 9 yr old son and burly trailer for camping gear

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Jason from Rolla Mo on 4/21/2020 8:30:24 PM:

I'm wanting to ride from Booneville to McKittrick in the exit few weeks.. We won't be in any hurry . We both love exploring and photography . We have rode a few section a to b to a. We will be on MTB's and I'll be pulling a burly traile modified for gear. I'm want make it to Coopers landing to meet friends and camp .Im curious about what mileage pulling a trailer can I expect if anyone has inexperienced this situation. I just don't want to get stuck inbetween camping spots. We will have food tent clothes and small cooler. Plus other essential items.

BikerBoy from Maryville, IL on 4/22/2020 9:48:23 AM:

Jason, I pulled a similar trailer when my wife and I did the whole trail a few years ago. It weighed about 50 pounds (off-topic, but it was all her stuff, and it took a lot to convince her to leave the hair dryer at home!).

It slowed me down by about 2 MPH, which made our speeds closer together. The problem with a trailer is that you end up taking way more than you need, and that (literally) becomes a drag.

If I had to do it again, I would not (and have not). I prefer fitting everything into panniers because it forces me to consider the weight.

If you can get by without the cooler, that will save you a lot of effort. If you are camping, the cooler will be obsolete after a day or two, so you're better off stopping at the little stores to get your cold drinks.

If you do take the trailer, definitely buy and bring along an extra inner tube that fits that size tire. Expect to have at least one flat between the two of you.

Anonymous on 4/22/2020 12:36:36 PM:

I've pulled a Burly cargo trailer several times while camping along the Katy and only noticed a slight reduction in mph. As BikerBoy mentioned, it did equalize the ride speeds somewhat. No big deal as I wasn't going to just pedal ahead and leave my wife anyway.

The biggest difference pulling a trailer for me is just simple logistics. It's a bit wider so it's easier to get a wheel off the trail or in a rut unintentionally. Like riding the tandem, it's a bit longer pulling it, so that must be kept in mind also. I'd be more concerned that I was riding a MTB and how that would slow me down than the effect of pulling the trailer.

I too have a small cooler that I've kept in the trailer when pulling it. If you are camping, you may need the cooler for food and not just for a cool drink. Ice is a good purchase to preserve those staples without thinking that your cooler is obsolete.

Bill in Houston from Houston on 4/27/2020 4:29:59 PM:

Dude, what a worthy adventure.

The good thing about a trailer is that if you do get stuck between places, you'll have all your stuff, and your kid can make puppy dog eyes, and any church or fire station or park will let you camp there.

As far as miles, I think the kid will tire out before you do. I think Boonville to Coopers landing is 29 miles. 29 miles is pretty far for a kid. Oh, plus the ridearound before Rocheport will add miles and hills. Maybe spend the night in Rocheport?

I pulled a trailer once and it was surprisingly uneventful. Watch the extra width, and don't go to fast on downhills.

Brian L. from Austin on 9/11/2020 7:32:12 AM:

Jason from Rolla, how did your adventure turn out?

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