Anyone ever build/use a keg trailer?

[Toddball]

I organize a drinking event after department seminars at my university. This involves getting a keg every other week, which means either (a) wheeling a hand truck over to a brew pub near campus, or (b) driving over to a much better brewery a few miles from campus. We have been doing (b) for a long time, but since that brewery is connected to campus by a very nice bike path, I am interested in buying or building a bike trailer that could carry a 1/6 BBL or 1/4 BBL keg (60-90lbs).

Has anyone done this? I know that biking with an extra 90lbs is going to suck, but I expect it will suck significantly less than driving. The bike path is pretty flat, so I'm hoping I can get away with standard gearing and brakes.

I assume a kid trailer cannot carry 90lbs, so I would want something like a touring trailer.

Thoughts? Is this a terrible idea? Should I just weld a hand truck onto a BMX bike like this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ4MKhqvz2w

[fatnslow]

I organize a drinking event after department seminars at my university. This involves getting a keg every other week, which means either (a) wheeling a hand truck over to a brew pub near campus, or (b) driving over to a much better brewery a few miles from campus. We have been doing (b) for a long time, but since that brewery is connected to campus by a very nice bike path, I am interested in buying or building a bike trailer that could carry a 1/6 BBL or 1/4 BBL keg (60-90lbs).

Has anyone done this? I know that biking with an extra 90lbs is going to suck, but I expect it will suck significantly less than driving. The bike path is pretty flat, so I'm hoping I can get away with standard gearing and brakes.

I assume a kid trailer cannot carry 90lbs, so I would want something like a touring trailer.

Thoughts? Is this a terrible idea? Should I just weld a hand truck onto a BMX bike like this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ4MKhqvz2w

Buy a cheap used kid trailer and install a plywood floor with some anchors for tie down straps for the keg.

[jamal]

I'd expect a bob trailer would handle it, and they're about the right shape to lay a keg down inside of.

[Norseman]

Many kid trailers are rated to 100 lbs.

[Jonny Snow]

You need one of those bike rickshaws, then you can carry both the keg and people to drink it.

[Peruvian]

Many kid trailers are rated to 100 lbs.

Agree. Find a used one on Craigslist.

[gravitylover]

When my twins were little I used to pull the trailer with them and all of the associated stuff needed for a family day out. That trailer was frequently 100 pounds or more and I did just fine, even enjoyed it most of the time. I was in pretty good shape for a while there

I have a pair of wheels from way back when Cannondale was a trailer company, before they were a bike company. If I remember right the weight rating on them was "more than you'll be comfortable pulling behind you on a bike". I had a beater trailer built up for a while that fell apart hauling firewood and the wheels were rock solid. I need to build another one because wheels that size make for a great yard cart.

[Norseman]

Actually... I'm in the market for a kid trailer. Anyone holding? I'll start a WTB thread in gear swap, too.

[teledad]

I used to pile 2 kids and a dog in a Burley and ride to the beach - pretty sure they were well over 100 pounds. Hills sucked but otherwise it was fine.

[JayPowHound]

A kid trailer should hold a 1/2 barrel no problem, especially if you reinforce the floor as noted above.

Or you could spring for one of these: https://surlybikes.com/bikes/ted_trailer

Either way, my biggest concern would be bumping / foam. I think some sort of suspension system should be top priority to do this right!

[Name Redacted]

I've carried a 1/6 bbl in a large backpack for many miles. No need for the trailer. Or just use some webbing to strap the keg to a hand cart and your bike. Keep it simple/cheap.

[toast2266]

Whatever trailer you use, it should have 2 wheels. Carrying a lot of weight that sits relatively high doesn't work well on the single wheel touring trailers.

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[Conundrum]

My buddy pulled me (about 220#) a mile in his kids’ trailer and the trailer survived. I had a BOB trailer and pulled a pony six or so miles a few times.

[Core Shot]

I did not realize BOB trailer meant Bring Own Beverage

[Toddball]

Thanks for all the replies. Ended up with this, for $50*:



Handles pretty well on the bike path, although when I hit a bump the keg jiggles back and forth (Voile straps stretch) and that results in some serious wobbling up front. Also, a two-wheeled trailer would've been nice for wheeling the keg around indoors. Thinking about adding two rails down the center of the basket for the keg to sit on; maybe also making shims to take up extra width.

*except the guy couldn't find the skewer so I had to buy a new one for $22.50....

[Laps]

What university is this and are they hiring ???

[thefortrees]

Sounds like you do this often enough that you should spend a weekend drinking beer and building a more permanent solution: