Riding with Sonic Boom the Dog in My Modified Burley Coho XC Bike Trailer

Sonic Boom is a three month-old pit mix doggie and we hang out everywhere together except when I want to bike somewhere! So I thought I'd change that. I also have always wanted a cargo trailer for my bike so I got the Burley Coho XC so I could take groceries, lumber, heavy paint cans or my dog! I started by just having Sonic chill in the parked trailer with his toys. I put one of his dog beds in the trailer and I'd feed him treats and give him toys. Then I started pulling him around in the trailer by hand, not attached to the bike. Then we would just ride around in loops in my driveway for two weeks. And then finally this weekend we we out in public and it went really well! Woo hoo! Note: Burley does not condone this trailer as a #dogtrailer. But I think I can make it work if I'm careful and diligent about making sure he's safe.
Thanks for your comments and questions. The Trashpile can only Shimmer when we are respectful and inclusive. The Shimmering Trashpile is committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and religion (or lack thereof).

[@m1kejay]

Best name for a dog EVER!!!

[@shimmeringtrashpile]

Haha! He found me out in the Mojave near Edwards AFB. Lots of sonic booms overhead so I thought it was appropriate.

[@chubamoo]

THANK YOU. This is perf for my squirrely little dude.

[@shimmeringtrashpile]

Awesome! Trailer has been great to me. My dog, ironically, outgrew it as he exceeded the weight limit of the trailer (He's now over 80lbs. ha!) But he had a great time and I still use the trailer all the time to get groceries, go to the home store, etc.

[@chubamoo]

@@shimmeringtrashpile Awe. Little buddy. Thank you so much. I send you some pics upon managing with him...my prior dog friend rode in a milk crate on my rack...but shes 20ish pounds and this dude is 40 and a puppy still...your video was the perfect support. Much appreciation.

[@timsway]

cool! Since you're starting so young, I bet eventually Sonic Boom will just hop in and ride.

[@shimmeringtrashpile]

Ya! I hope so. Every day it isn't raining I try to have him spend a little time in the trailer even if it's just to chill out. So far as long at there's a treat involved he's committed. Ha! Incentives...

[@duncanouellette3111]

I would love to see more of how the trailer is working out with the puppy

[@shimmeringtrashpile]

Hi Duncan! Thanks for the comment. My doggo is now about 100lbs so he has outgrown the trailer. He loved it until I couldn't pull him anymore. Now the trailer just hauls my groceries.

[@shimmeringtrashpile]

I'm happy to answer any questions you might have tho!

[@Record0721]

Was he still able to fit well enough when he was 55-60lbs?

[@davidikeda2587]

@@Record0721 I would love to know the answer to this as well. My dog is like 70lbs so he’s right at the max capacity of the trailer. I’m thinking it’s a bad idea

[@tconnolly9820]

I do it the other way around. I don't have a dog but I use a large sized Trixie dog trailer for carrying cargo. I average 30-50kg but have had over 70kg in it. Over a thousand kilometres with it and so far so good. Maybe I'll actually put a dog in it one day? Two wheels are definitely much more stable for roads and paths even with two gas cylinders weighing 56kg. Coho is a great all rounder.

[@shimmeringtrashpile]

Ah! awesome! Yes. I love the smooth nimbleness of the one wheel but I have definitely wished for the support and stability of a second wheel!

[@tconnolly9820]

@@shimmeringtrashpile Yes, both of my trailers are twin wheels and not intended for touring. I've had absolutely no problems with stability empty or full for either even on downhills at over 50kph. They're both 13kg empty. Although a 100lbs/45kg dog could easily cause a lot more instability and potential danger with just a little movement than a heavier inert static cargo like I carry. Not ideal for single track trails or off road, single wheel wins everytime there. But since I don't do that, it doesn't matter to me. But a single wheel does allow for filtering in traffic. My dedicated cargo trailer with protective bars around the wheels means it's over half the width of a car so I regard myself with a bike trailer as another legitimate vehicle among traffic. But.... On the open road, vehicles generally seem to give me a wider berth overtaking than on the bike alone even though I always have twin panniers. Good luck and stay safe man and dog.

[@scottwillispiano2241]

I want to buy a Coho XC for camping this July but they no longer ship the standard QR Skewer, and none are available until late summer. Would anyone sell me their standard QR Skewer if you aren't using it?

[@prjroberts]

How is the trailer holding up after a couple of years? I debating on buying cheap again (two year use before the bearing gave up in the wheels), versus for something more expensive such as this xc trailer.

[@deadtech]

Hi! It's holding up great. I use it about every two weeks to get groceries. I wasn't biking much during the spring and summer but I'm back on it. The one wheel trailer is both a blessing and a curse. I like the narrower frame of the single wheel but it can be a bit dodgy with heavier loads. For example, when biking with two full propane tanks in tow! 😁

[@TheOptimikko]

You should make a removable windscreen also?

[@shimmeringtrashpile]

That would be awesome!