Being a BFBC member entitles you to many benefits. The best one, in my opinion, is the free access to loaner trailers. I have borrowed a “Bikes at Work” trailer from BFBC several times in the last few years. The money saved in furniture delivery charges alone would pay off my membership dues.
What is it good for?
You can use a trailer to haul items that won’t fit onto your regular bike, or even your car. I’ve used it to haul furniture such as bed frames, mattresses, and desks that would not fit into my car. You can also use it to move building material, garden soil, appliances, surfboards, or boxes. You have to make sure that you secure the load to the trailer the trailer (which can handle up to 300 lbs).
How to load/unload?
The Bikes at Work trailer has a hitch that allows the bike to move freely while still attached to the trailer. I would suggest that you either lay down the bike if attached to the trailer, or unhitch it from the bike before loading/unloading. For heavy loads, balance is important. The center of gravity should be slightly forward of the trailer axle center. You can test it by lifting the trailer tow arm, and the load should press slightly forward, but never backward. The load should be secured tightly to the frame. If it is windy, you may also have to consider the load profile, and use common sense.
How does the bike handle with the trailer?
Your ride is much smoother with a trailer but the bike is less responsive. You are more like an ocean liner than a kayak. That means, you accelerate slowly, and stop slowly. You also cannot swerve quickly, and will be making wide turns, so you have to anticipate road and traffic conditions better than usual. Riding with a trailer is a good way to practice riding predictably in a straight line, away from parked cars.
Is it safe to ride with the trailer?
In my experience, the risk of being hit by a car is likely smaller, but the risk of crashing because of your own fault is greater. Cars are more respectful because you are more visible, and because of your greater heft (and consequent damage potential). On the other hand, you can make more mistakes with a trailer (such as being unable to avoid road hazards or going too fast). Since your riding style is under your control, I’d say that the overall risk is likely smaller than a solo bike.
What routes are best?
Rethink your usual bike routes. Pick flatter routes even if they are longer and have more traffic. I found busy arterial roads to be often better than bike routes. Arterial routes are often flatter, wider, and have fewer stop signs than bike routes. (Many of them were made for streetcars which need steady low grades.) Flatness makes it easier for you to pull the load. Ditto for fewer stop signs, as the cost of stopping is much higher when you have a load. (Blowing stop signs is harder with a trailer.) Wider streets, even if they have more traffic, means that cars can go around you. This is important because you take up more space with a trailer; I would often take the lane, and an extra traffic lane means that autos can pass you safely with less frustration. Some bike routes are narrow, have barriers such as bollards, or speed bumps. If possible, I would avoid them.
Do you get strange looks?
You are certainly noticed. A local bike shop mechanic pulled up next to me on his bike to chat. I’ve heard a few shouts of encouragement (“That’s really cool!” from a teenager). People sometimes chat with you when you are stopped. For some reason, a number of autos have asked me for directions. Maybe, they think, if you are pulling a trailer you really know where you’re going.