When I set out into the world hunting for good experiences, I often say, that my bike is my best friend. We talk a lot, we communicate, and we are together through thick and thin.

On this expedition I brought a new friend. My one wheeled trailer has become a member of my little bicycle family.
Of course I was curious as to how it would react, and prior to the trip I had focused on areas where things might go wrong.

The weight: The frame is made of aluminium and the total weight of the trailer is about 8,5 kilos. The model I used is equipped with a solid plastic box. This model is of course heavier than the model, where you ride with a water proof bag.
You may think that 8,5 kilos is a lot of weight but riding with that weight after the bike is quite different from putting it on top of it.

The trailer has basically a life of it's own behind the bike, and it works as a natural extension of the bike.

The box is water proof, and it can be locked. Because it is so firm it's very easy to pack the gear into it. The trailer comes with a special spindle, which replaces the normal spindle in the rear wheel. It appears very sturdy and works unexceptionably. I had to put on a couple of extra washers to be able to fasten the wheel the way I wanted it. It might be a good idea to bring an extra spindle, because if it breaks down you are in trouble.
The trailer is locked on to the spindle by means of two split pins. The trailer comes with an additional split pin. The wheel is made of plastic and it appears solid and stable. On future expeditions I might bring some spare parts to the wheel.
The wheel size is 16 x 1.75 x 2. I brought an extra tyre which never came into use. After 4600 km the tyre appears more or less like it did when I left.

I had 2 punctures on the trailer. That's fair enough in view of the fact that you cannot see what the wheel is running through.

On the trailer there is a 1.20 m long thin pole with a yellow flag. The pole can be removed. I put on a small Danish flag to mark my nationality.

When you are manoeuvring in the traffic you normally don't pay much attention to the trailer. You need more time to cross a road, and when you park it you find out that you more or less need a whole wall for that purpose. You learn to spot a suitable wall at a long distance. I also found out that it was possible to park the procession against a single landmark pole. If you have to move backwards it's a bit special. Then you must manoeuvre like you do with a big truck with a trailer. It may take some time to learn.
It's much more difficult to remove a bicycle with a trailer, so therefore you get an extra securing against theft. Should a thief back with the procession it might very easily break over for him.

Of course you need more space in the traffic, which can be an advantage. You are easier to spot and harder to pass. When on a small roads you may get yourself a tail of cars waiting to pass you. In my opinion the drivers are very careful when they pass. They think about things before they overtake you.

One wheeled trailers are still very rare, so you must be prepared that you attract a lot of attention. A great number of people have come up to me to ask about this very special vehicle, and they have been very impressed. You get a fine opportunity to talk to people.

When I tested the trailer prior to the trip I had some rumbling from the box but it disappears when it is filled up.
I was curios as to how the trailer would react when I passed big holes, curbstones etc. but it did not cause any problems.

A big advantage of the trailer is that it excuses the rear wheel from carrying a lot of weight. The rear wheel is a critical point for long distance bicycle riders. You must be prepared to exchange broken spokes. And it's almost always in the difficult side of the rear wheel.

Of course you bring tools and extra spokes but it's wonderful, that you don't have to pay so much attention to that problem anymore.

This is not the last time I have ridden with a one wheeled trailer.