Trail Gator Tow Bar Review (How It Works and Common Problems)

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Two Wheeling Tots

Two Wheeling Tots

Күн бұрын

The Trail Gator is a unique solution to a common problem parents often have when biking with their kids.
What do you do if your young child gets tired half way through a ride and isn’t willing (or even able) to make it back?
Enter the Trail Gator! The Trail Gator converts any kids bike into a towable trailer bike!
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Here are 7 things you need to know about the Trail Gator Tow Arm before you click that buy button.
0:53 1. How Exactly Does the Trail Gator Work?
1:35 2. Size and age of bike and child
2:00 3. Can be quickly attached and removed mid-ride
2:57 4. Kids Brakes Can Produce Drag
3:14 5. No training wheels!
3:30 6. How do you attach the Trail Gator to your bikes?
4:11 7. A Few parting precautions
5:08 Bottom Line
How Exactly Does the Trail Gator Work?
The trail gator attaches to a hitch on the adult bike’s seat post and to a mounting plate on the head tube of the child’s bike. This strong metal arm lifts the child’s front wheel off the ground, and keeps the bike upright and behind the adult bike at a set distance.
Size and age of bike and child
The trail gator works with kids bikes sizes 12” to 20”. While riding with any child can be a bit wobbly for the adult, the heavier the child, the more wobble you will experience.
You cannot tow a 24” bike with the Trail Gator. To safely use the Trail Gator, the front wheel of the child’s bike must be lifted 3 - 5” off the ground. This cannot be achieved with a 24” bike.
Can be quickly attached and removed mid-ride
Once the mounting system is installed (we’ll explain that process at the end of this video!), the bikes can be attached and unattached in a fairly quick conversion from towing a child to having the child ride solo.
If you unmount from the child’s bike mid-ride, you can connect the arm to a small bracket that attaches to the skewer to the rear wheel of the adult bike, keeping the arm stored securely as you ride.
Kids Brakes Can Produce Drag
The Trail Gator does not affect the child bike’s rear brakes in any way, so the child rider can brake at any time. This certainly won’t stop the both of you, but as the adult rider, you’ll feel the “drag” when this occurs.
No training wheels!
You cannot use training wheels when riding with the Trail Gator.
How do you attach the Trail Gator to your bikes?
Adult Bike
1.Remove the seat post
2. Slide the Trail Gator hitch onto the seat post and reinstall the seat post
3. Tighten two bolts on the Trail Gator hitch.
Child Bike
The child bike attachment takes quite a bit more time to set up. It’s straightforward, but time consuming
It consists of a metal plate that connects via four bolts to two metal arms that reach around the head tube of the bike.
A small rod swings down from the tow arm and connects to a bolt on the front fork, to keep the child’s handlebars steady during the ride. To install that bolt on the front fork, you have to remove the child’s front wheel.
7. A Few parting precautions:
First: Two common complaints about the riding experience with the Trail Gator are that it’s wobbly and that the child’s bike leans too far to one side. This is not a precision-built machine. There are more stable options available, but they are significantly more expensive.
Second: Installation is quite time consuming. Be prepared to spend one to two hours.
Third: The metal mounting plate and fork clamp left some small scratches in the paint on the child’s bike.
So what’s the bottom line?
The Trail Gator tow bar is an affordable and convenient method for towing your kids on family bike rides or while commuting. We especially love that it’s easy to attach mid-ride for spur of the moment meltdowns! While it’s not the smoothest towing system available, or the easiest to install, it gets the job done at an accessible price point.
Reviewer: Carrie Wren
Videography & Production: Fressia Eames
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#TrailGator #TrailGatorTowBar #TowBar #TrailerCycles #RideAlongBikes #TrailerCycleReviews #RideAlongBikesReviews
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Пікірлер: 72
@ingridgelinas3202
@ingridgelinas3202 3 жыл бұрын
This is an amazing review of the product. Thanks for being so thorough.
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 3 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@cherpintow
@cherpintow Жыл бұрын
Just wanted to leave a comment and say how well done this video is. Really helped in understanding this product, no extra filler, just straight to the key points.
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes Жыл бұрын
We’re so glad we could help you, and thanks for the shout out!
@lilladokka
@lilladokka Жыл бұрын
Great value. Great looks.
@Schmiddelwutz2000
@Schmiddelwutz2000 3 жыл бұрын
Good Video! It perfectly describes the upsides and downsides of the system. We had much fun with it and it works. But I agree with the disadvantages too.
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 3 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful to you! Thanks for your feedback!
@cristopherlopezpaniagua3112
@cristopherlopezpaniagua3112 9 ай бұрын
Thanks for an excellent review with extra informations about what to expect from the product. This is way more helpful than the Amazon reviews I’ve been reading to decide if this option could fit my needs. Great job
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 9 ай бұрын
We’re so glad it was helpful! If you want even more detailed information, be sure to check out our written review on our website: www.twowheelingtots.com/trail-gator-review/
@WillKirchheimer
@WillKirchheimer 2 жыл бұрын
Great review! I'm thinking of it for getting my kids bike home after morning drop off. Looks perfect. Thanks!
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 2 жыл бұрын
Happy riding!
@chinoandsons
@chinoandsons 3 жыл бұрын
Good video. Thanks a bunch. We have the co pilot so tilting is common. But lil boy is riding now and this is perfect for high traffic areas or a little hill
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 3 жыл бұрын
Glad it helped!
@77FatElvis
@77FatElvis 3 жыл бұрын
Excellent product overview. Great action shots of use and close ups of installed product. Could you teach the rest of the world how to review things next?
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 3 жыл бұрын
Hahahahaha, we appreciate that you recognize how hard we work to make our reviews great! :-)
@andreiguarin1409
@andreiguarin1409 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this!!
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 3 жыл бұрын
Our pleasure!
@pilsnerpunk
@pilsnerpunk 11 ай бұрын
Nice review. I agree with all of your points. Installation is a bit of a beast and the trail gator will only work with a hardtail without a rack and likely won't work with a dropper post. The quick-release functions aren't all that quick as you have to completely remove the skewers each time you want to make a change like removing from your own bike or your kids bike. I don't love the trail gator, but I don't really see a better options that is readily available.
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 10 ай бұрын
The Follow Me Tandem is a great alternative that accomplishes the same thing, but is much more expensive. Here is our review for that: www.twowheelingtots.com/followme-tandem-review/
@apelfed
@apelfed 2 жыл бұрын
Amazing and comprehensive review!! Thanks so much Edit: what are the more expensive products that eliminate lean? (FollowMe tandem won’t fit my mountainbike)
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 2 жыл бұрын
FollowMe tandem is really the only other similar option. Other towing options would be a trailer cycle like the Burley Kazoo or Weehoo Turbo. This article should be helpful: www.twowheelingtots.com/best-tag-along-bikes/
@andrew_gardner
@andrew_gardner 2 жыл бұрын
Had me at "spur of the moment meltdowns" that should be my daughter's middle name haha
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 2 жыл бұрын
Same, bro. Same. :-)
@boleklolek2693
@boleklolek2693 Жыл бұрын
Thanks
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!
@stefcamp
@stefcamp 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the video! I'm about to buy one, do you think it would mount on a 2 inches steering head on the small bike side?
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 2 жыл бұрын
The front mounting plate is a little longer than 3" tall, so you would need at least that much space.
@stefcamp
@stefcamp 2 жыл бұрын
@@Twowheelingtotsbikes thank you! I meant 2" wide, how wide are the holes apart in the mounting plate? 👍😉
@PraveenKumarPlus
@PraveenKumarPlus 3 жыл бұрын
Can this be used on a Carbon frame bike? I would assume that it would at least require a non-carbon seat post.
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 3 жыл бұрын
The mounting bracket is only attached to the adult bike's seat post, with potential contact with the seat post collar. No frame contact. That said, we've never used it with a carbon frame and we can't find any information about it from the manufacturer.
@DickVanPaiton
@DickVanPaiton Жыл бұрын
Definitely NO good idea for a CF bike! Carbon is massively sensitive against strong forces from unforseen directions.
@m52k
@m52k 3 жыл бұрын
1:28 the child's bike dangerously tilts to the left, Im having the same problem. Some reviewers on amazon suggest the receiving kit on the child's bike must be perfectly aligned and very tight, I've checked that. It seems the receiving bar is actually the problem, it is slightly rotated meaning the bracket on the bar that contacts the kit on the childss bike is not perfectly upright. Any ideas how to solve that?
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 3 жыл бұрын
Hey there! Honestly, we had so many problems getting this to work just right. We reached out to Trail Gator and they provided us with about 10 different ways to possibly solve our problem. I would reach out to them with your specific issue and ask for their help. After quite a bit of work we were able to get it to work great, but it was definitely a process.
@elizabethrogers1836
@elizabethrogers1836 2 жыл бұрын
My son currently has a 43 frog bike 🐸 but we have taken the pedals off. Can we use it like that?
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 2 жыл бұрын
Sure could, but you might as well put the pedals on and let him practice!!
@sixthltz400
@sixthltz400 2 жыл бұрын
Can this work the a dropper post on the adult bike
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 2 жыл бұрын
To attach to the MTB, you would have to have several inches of shaft of the dropper post below the moving portion of the dropper post for it to clamp onto. This is most likely too much space required for most mountain bikes.
@pekipeki7681
@pekipeki7681 2 ай бұрын
Question: also fir to full suspension bike?
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 2 ай бұрын
Assuming your full suspension bike has a dropper post, then no. Check this video @3:30 to see how it attaches to the adult bike's seat post.
@MrSpiralout
@MrSpiralout 3 жыл бұрын
would this work with a dropper seatpost??
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 3 жыл бұрын
It depends on your set up. The Trail Gator seat post mounting bracket needs 2" to mount. You'd need at least that much room on the stationary base of the dropper post, or the "non dropper" part.
@Schmiddelwutz2000
@Schmiddelwutz2000 3 жыл бұрын
I got it working with a full suspension MTB and a dropper post! But I had to improvise a little bit...
@chocolatecinn
@chocolatecinn 3 жыл бұрын
what would be a better system?
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 3 жыл бұрын
Completely depends on what you''re using it for. What type of riding will you be doing?
@TM-vg4mx
@TM-vg4mx 2 жыл бұрын
will this works with Brompton? thanks
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 2 жыл бұрын
Potentially if the seat post is the right diameter. I would contact Trail Gator for their opinion.
@TM-vg4mx
@TM-vg4mx 2 жыл бұрын
@@Twowheelingtotsbikes thank you
@matteoxyz3953
@matteoxyz3953 11 ай бұрын
Ciao può essere utile per insegnare a pedalare a un bimbo autistico?lui attualmente usa la bici con pedali come una balance bike
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 11 ай бұрын
It could… but is a little unstable. If you want the same idea but significantly more stable, check out the Follow Me Tandem www.twowheelingtots.com/followme-tandem-review/
@matteoxyz3953
@matteoxyz3953 11 ай бұрын
@@Twowheelingtotsbikes thanks so much!!👍
@Zuschauer9
@Zuschauer9 3 жыл бұрын
How does this not touch the backwheel of the bike?
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 3 жыл бұрын
The bar keeps the child's bike at a set distance from the adult bike.
@fredwomble5046
@fredwomble5046 Жыл бұрын
Will this tow work with kids bike trailers?
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes Жыл бұрын
No, every bike trailer comes with its own tow arm that attaches to the rear axle of the adult bike with a brand-specific hitch coupler.
@fredwomble5046
@fredwomble5046 Жыл бұрын
@@Twowheelingtotsbikes ty
@user-nj3fg7fd4x
@user-nj3fg7fd4x 7 ай бұрын
very good video, thank you. Is there a way to contact you directly to discuss?
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 7 ай бұрын
You can ask us questions right here and we’ll reply!
@atomskiMarsic
@atomskiMarsic 5 ай бұрын
u know that u can turn off brakes on woom, right?
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 5 ай бұрын
Are you talking about a coaster brake or hand brakes?
@Spedupguy69
@Spedupguy69 Жыл бұрын
Really time consuming is not very convincing is it?
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes Жыл бұрын
The time consuming assembly is quite frustrating! But many parents find it worth it!
@jra55417
@jra55417 3 жыл бұрын
1-2 hours to install is unfair. 30mins tops, unless you have zero experience with basic bike maintenance. Even then it should take less than an hour
@basilf1922
@basilf1922 3 жыл бұрын
Not it is not unfair but spot on. I own 7 bikes, do all the maintenance myself, and it still took me 2 hours to assemble. The purpose of many bits are not well explained in the manual, and some adjustments needed to be made, too (bracket no fitting the child bike's front fork; side clip at the skewer of the adult bike not usable due to bike rack etc.). Of course, if I now had to do it again, i would do it in 10mins.
@JeanFrancoisDesrosiers
@JeanFrancoisDesrosiers 2 жыл бұрын
Did it in 1h, but had to redo some steps due to slight misalignment of kid bike.
@markotrieste
@markotrieste 3 жыл бұрын
Buy cheap buy twice...
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes 3 жыл бұрын
Did you have trouble with yours? We had some issues but were able to resolve them.
@markotrieste
@markotrieste 3 жыл бұрын
@@Twowheelingtotsbikes I saw how it worked on my brother-in-law and it was enough. Tried the Peruzzo Trail Angel and I nearly damaged the kid's bike head tube. One of the rare occasions I returned the stuff. Now I use a Roland Add+ bike and it's a completely different league, albeit not the same product.
@cheefussmith9380
@cheefussmith9380 3 жыл бұрын
@@markotrieste totally different product. the point of this item is the kid can ride by himself or herself for part of the trip, and then attached to mom or dad for the rest!
@Mmtwgr
@Mmtwgr Ай бұрын
The trail gator will damage the bike. It’s crap
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes Ай бұрын
Are you referring to the adult bike or the child’s bike?
@Mmtwgr
@Mmtwgr Ай бұрын
It will definitely damage the child’s bike. The mounting leaves scratches in the head tube. Not only in the paint but also in the aluminum. Probably also on the fork. I would never install it on my mountain bike. I didn’t install it to my wife’s bike but I bet there are scratch marks too.
@Twowheelingtotsbikes
@Twowheelingtotsbikes Ай бұрын
We cover this is our written review. If you’re interested, here it is: www.twowheelingtots.com/trail-gator-review/
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