Looking for a bike trailer that can be used as a buggy for a older child??? is their such a thing?

[Marne]

Dd2 has ASD, we have been looking at getting a special needs 3 wheel buggy but they are very pricey, we just want something that we can use when we go walking or to car boot sales and thought a bike trailer that can be used as a buggy would be good. Trouble is I cant find what age they go up to, dd2 is 7 (thin but tall), would she be ok in a 2 seat bike trailer? can anyone recommend one that's sturdy??

2 seaters tend to be "divided" in the middle so can't easily take one child, although there may be some that convert.

We have a "Croozer2" and it's good as both a bike trailer and a buggy, but as I say, it's divided in the middle.

I think a two seater would work. Most up to 40-50kg ( about 8stone) total. And usually say approx 9months-6years. So I imagine the average weight of two 6 year olds is allowed for.

I would recommend the schwinn joyrider. Plenty on space ( large cover for not too closed in), and folds easily so you can pop on car like you would a buggy. The front wheel is larger than most so easier to push when heavier

Thank you, will talk to dh when he gets home, it wouldn't really mater if she's not strapped in (we wont be moving at high speeds just trundling around boot sales), would just make my life easier as she often refuses to walk or has a meltdown over the slightest little thing, she would be more relaxed in a trailer. We would rarely use it as a bike trailer (if at all). Are they easy to push?

Will go and have a look at the joyrider.

Have you also looked at the Maclaren major sn buggy? It is usually availiable in mothercare etc but also can get free through doctors if needed. A friend has one for her 8 year old who has severe asthma and needs it sometimes after an asthma attack

The trailer probably easier to push over field etc if at at boot sales as larger wheels. There is one Of the schwinn joyriders on eBay for £150 atm

We had a Major but I couldn't push it (handles are too high and its useless off road), wheelchair services will not provide us with anything (apparently dd does not qualify even though she has severe hypermobility and low muscle tone on top of the ASD). Just need something for off road really (the odd trip to out and car boot sales). To get her a 3 wheel buggy new it would be £600+ so the bike trailer seems a better option .

Would she not go in something like a BOB or a Baby Jogger Summit, Elite or Classic? I know two 5/6 year olds who use one these. The biggest seat I have seen though is on a TFK Joggster Twist. It is HUGE! TFK pushchairs come up on Ebay now and again at fairly low prices for what they are (simply because they arent well known). The Baby Joggers come up at varying prices depending on age.

I had a Croozer for 2 and TBH I think I would worry about the weight on one child climbing in and out on the fabric floor. Plus ours really was not good to push as a buggy. It was hard work even with two little ones in.

Yes the good thing about a trailer is that if it all gets too much she can just pull the shade down and read a book! ( and you can store all your car boot purchases)

Hi,

We have a Chariot Cabriolet trailer that has buggy wheels also and it is great. It has a high weight limit (45kg/100lbs) and the harness can adjust whether you have 1 or 2 children, so 1 child can be harnessed into the middle and then has lots of room either side. It's VERY lightweight and that might be a consideration as you are pulling an older child.
It's pricy but a quality product and the sort of thing you can probably get second hand - the buggy wheels are sold separately so you can always buy them new if you saw one second hand that didn't have them.
You would really need to try her in it though as DD is only 2, so not sure how she will look in it at 8 (although we have carried DD plus a 4 year old together and they were fine) but I am just thinking about head height. We are near York if that is any good for you to try ours out :-)

Also just noticed you want to use it as a buggy more - yes as it is so light it is very easy to push with the swivel front buggy wheels :-)

Thank you, I think she will be too big for the baby jogger as she is quite tall, we have used various buggys in the past including mountain buggy and Jane but she tends to put her feet on the front wheel so need something where her feet are on a sturdy foot plate or out of the way.

I might take her to try some trailers out, I think Halfords sell some?? I'm worried about the head height, I think really it will need to be able to remove the roof cover for head space .

I'm also looking at 2nd hand sn buggys so will see what looks most suitable.