We've been using this trailer behind our bikes regularly now to pull our growing 16 month old. I still feel it's an overall excellent trailer and value, but I would still love a few changes. My main gripe is still that there aren't enough ventilation options. The main front panel has a screen cover, but if it starts raining (twice on us now) you either have to leave it open which means your child gets wet from the direct rainfall AND your rear tire spray, or close it and risk them getting hot. If the side panels also unzipped, you could close the front panel and open the sides to still allow ventilation while keeping most of the rain out till you can get back to the car.
But I have a new issue, and am wondering if others have encountered this problem. I can't air the tires up. The tubes/stems are Schrader valves, and when I try to put my pump on them they simply sink into the rim too low to get the pump on, and then I can't get air into them. This could be solved in one of two ways. Use tubes with longer Schrader valves, or switch to tubes that use threaded Presta valves. With a threaded Presta you can put a small nut on the stem that keeps it from sinking into the rim, and that would allow you to air the tires up. While there isn't a lot of weight on the tires, our last trip I noticed the trailer tended to swerve back and forth more than normal and I believe this was because of the low tire pressure, so they don't have the stability they should.
Anyway, the manufacturer has addressed some of the other concerns from these reviews, so it's good to see that they are actively engaged with their customer base. I do like the trailer and will continue to use it, and hopefully Montalban will continue to tweak and improve an already excellent product.
Sorry for the long update, you will find the original review below. Thanks!
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First let me say for the price this is an excellent trailer. We had looked at a few from Burley and Chariot, plus some of the less expensive models such as the Instep line that Amazon sells. We found our trailer at Costco as others mentioned for less than the price here, and being able to put hands on it was nice too so we could check out the quality a bit before we purchased.
Assembly was super easy. That is, there is no assembly other than what it usually takes to "assemble" it from a collapsed storage position to the ready to use position. It has an aluminum tube frame all the way around that really makes it seem sturdy, and from the car to ready to pull takes all of a minute or so.
After a few bike rides and a jogging trip, here are my pros and cons:
Pros Cycling:
-Pulls easily and very smooth, even at speeds that most recreational cyclists will not usually reach
(note: manual states trailer should not be pulled faster than 8mph. I can't coast at 8mph, and I feel very comfortable pulling the trailer faster. While I am still not sold on the long term durability of the quick-release wheel system of the trailer, I do not see any reason why this particular setup would hold up at 8mph and fail at 15mph. That is just my opinion, again the manual says the speed limit is 8mph on the trailer).
-Very easy to attach to bike, and there is ample room for your left foot/heel when pedaling (I have a size 15 shoe)
-Turns easily and tightly, you can turn around in less than the width of a normal street with no issues
Cons Cycling:
-Seat and harnesses are the weakest part of this trailer. The straps are difficult to adjust, and instead of using simple snap buckles for the retention they use a D-ring and hook setup which makes buckling and unbuckling much more difficult.
-There is nothing to keep the pads on the chest harness, so they want to slide off every time you go to use them, and the buckle ends up buried halfway up the pad, which leaves you trying to dig it out with a child that just wants to get going. I understand a nicer setup is more expensive, but I'd pay a bit more for a better harness system. After all, when cycling it's important that your child is strapped in well should a crash occur. Something between what they have now and lower-end car seat setup would be better.
-Only the front panel is mesh for airflow, which allows possibly more wind than you'd like and debris to blow straight into the trailer (yes, a surprising amount of debris can enter through the screen window). Side panels do not zip out, which would be nice for indirect and cross ventilation on warmer days
-There are loops at the very top of the front window/door area for keeping the mesh and/or solid windows rolled up, but they are either up or down, no in between. If a couple more of these retainer loops were sewed on, you could have the solid window halfway down for instance, which would limit airflow directly on the face but still allow ventilation on cooler days.
-The flag is nice, but I would like a good sturdy loop on the back side of the trailer to install flashing lights, just like on the bike. This is probably an easy-enough modification. There is a reflector back there however.
Pros Jogging:
-Trailer rolls very smoothly, cushioned hand grip is nice
-Hand grip is a good height, my wife (short) and me (tall) both find it comfortable
-You can push the trailer without kicking the bottom of it
Cons Jogging:
-Fixed front wheel setup is long and well, fixed...which makes turning pretty much impossible without lifting the front wheel. I know you don't want a fast-swivel wheel if you are running and pushing this thing, but it's also hard to keep a good pace on a curvy path if you are having to push down on the rear handle to lift the front wheel just to turn.
-More ventilation options would be nice (same as with cycling)
It sounds like I have a lot of cons, but it's more of a wishlist. We like this trailer, and with the exception of the harness system it really is an excellent setup for the money.
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As the manufacturer of this trailer I wanted to clarify a couple concerns and rumors for the many people who are referencing this message board.1) The primary concern for most users is the jogger vs swivel wheel. I cant argue that folks either love fixed wheel jogger wheels or don't. Fixed jogger wheels are not intended to turn and as a result are suited to street or running path jogging use. They are not great for suburban or sidewalk use and because this is a 2-in-1 vehicle it is indeed heavier than a standard 3 wheel jogger. For that reason we are indeed offering a pivoting wheel retrofit kit that will have a pivot or stroller style wheel. These are much better fit to suburban lifestyle where you might use this unit on sidewalks or just for strolling rather than running. This will be available around the end of July.
2) Jogger wheel alignment is easily corrected if it is pulling one way or another. In some cases this is simply because the trailer is loaded unevenly or the front wheel may need to be adjusted. There is an instruction video on our website on how to adjust the wheel and it takes seconds to do.
3) The retention system is designed according to government testing requirements and as a result we have very little lee-way on the location of straps and the tightness of straps. It is true that in bulky clothing or diapers the crotch strap is extremely tight and seemingly unusable. We are working with CPSC regulators on this issue to try to have the requirements adjusted to a more reasonable position. There is however no change in production as some users have commented. It should also be noted that the shoulder straps are widely adjustable and in most cases re-aligning these on the rear ladder of the seat back will make the lower straps fit more comfortably.
We appreciate the detailed comments and feedback as we continue to improve this trailer/jogger and offer users the best value for their money. In our opinion this trailer can't be beat for value for performance but we are always looking to do better. Our customer service office is there for you no matter where you purchased the trailer we look forward to assisting. Happy Trails!
Best Deals for Montalban Trailer 3 with Jogger Conversion - Folds Flat for Storage
Easy to put together and pulls very easily with the bike but after a month of use an only using it about 10 times I'm going to see about returning it to Costco. The stinking rain fly ripped away from zipper so now there is a huge gaping hole! Not sure how they could make a KID carrier that flimsy. Also the seat belts are ridiculous and there really isn't much room in it for two kids. My 2year old and 4 year old were completely squished (they are in the 30th percentile for weight so aren't big by any means)Honest reviews on Montalban Trailer 3 with Jogger Conversion - Folds Flat for Storage
I think this is a better trailer than jogger, but I use it for both rather than having two bulky pieces filling my garage. I'm not totally in love with this stroller; it's not the "best" jogger or stroller or trailer probably, but for a compromise of having those things all in one, it seems to combine the most important features, even if leaving out other convenient ones.Pros:
-Narrow enough to fit through doors and use for just one child.
-Pretty easy to convert.
-Front wheel can be adjusted to minimize pull.
-Storage in the back.
-Really easy to pull on the bike.
-Fixed wheel-I see a lot of people complaining about the fixed wheel. When I have bought just joggers, I've always bought one with a swivel and fixed wheel, because swivels are so nice for walking, BUT, if you want to jog, you really need a fixed wheel.
Cons:
-Unlike regular jogging strollers, these seats are not formed enough to hold a child in a sitting position. This is the only stroller I haven't been able to put an infant in comfortably. Even at a year old, he goes into a weird slouch. When the baby has fallen asleep, there is nothing to support his head and the straps cut into his neck.
-Straps are a PAIN! First, the pads don't stay on and move around so much that it is hard to get kids strapped in and even when the pads are on, they slip down leaving bare straps by the kids' necks-ouch. The crotch strap + the lack of posture in the seat means that my younger son ends up with the crotch strap digging in on one side.
-Brake. I almost never use the brake because of how cumbersome it is to clip around the wheel. I imagine that a foot brake is dangerous for a bike trailer, so maybe that's why there isn't one, so another reason not to buy this just as a jogger.
-Not good for outings. This is not great for the zoo, or just a casual outing because it is so long, so hard to brake, and doesn't fold very compactly.
-So far my 1 and 4 year olds fit fine, but I do worry that it will be too small for two kids before they get very big.
