An unbraked trailer has important advantages. Apart from that, that it weighs at least 45 kg less than a braked trailer, gains regenerative braking also more energy back than a braked trailer, which brakes independently.
In France, the rules for towing a trailer with an L5e category vehicle, such as the TWIKE 5, vary greatly, and I cannot simply opt for an unbraked trailer. The relevant regulations are a real challenge.
Article R315-1 of the French Highway Code stipulates that, for passenger cars, the total weight of an unbraked trailer must not exceed half the unladen weight of the towing vehicle. However, this does not mean that the TWIKE 5 is permitted to tow an unbraked trailer with a total weight of up to 300 kg (600 kg / 2).
In France, there is an exception for mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles, and light motorized quadricycles. These may only tow unbraked trailers if the permissible total weight does not exceed 80 kg! (Article R315-1-III).
Since we also enjoy the above mentioned advantages of an unbraked trailer benefit want, we have taken on this demanding challenge for you.
For future cycling holidays, we recently purchased two Kwiggles from Kwiggle in Hanover. These are particularly small and lightweight (10 kg) folding bikes (folded dimensions: 55×40×25), which fit into the trunk of the TWIKE 5 together with one or two suitcases.
The dimensions of the trunk of the TWIKE 5: LxWxH: 73×100×42.5-54 cm.
We enjoy camping, but a roof tent on the TWIKE 5 is not possible. Even a trailer with a roof tent on top was too much. A lightweight roof tent weighs at least 40 kg, and with an unbraked trailer and camping accessories, you can easily reach 120 kg with luggage. Besides, you can’t stand up in a roof tent, so we continued our search.
At the camping fair in Stuttgart, we were able to see the B-Turtle from Vienna for the first time, which I have been < Gentle Tent from Vienna, which I had previously found on the Internet. It is a lightweight inflatable tent on a small trailer (with drawer) connected to an e-bike via a Weber coupling. The weight of this tent without the bike trailer but with all accessories is approx. 23 kg. It has a bed measuring 130 x 205 cm.
An vestibule measuring 160x160x210 cm with a canopy. At 186 cm tall, I can stand up straight in it without any problems. All in all, we are confident that we will achieve our 80 kg target.
We decided to buy the B-Turtle without a bike trailer and started looking for a small trailer with a maximum weight of 10 kg. 50 kg for the TWIKE. Despite the wide selection of small trailers on the market, you won’t find them so easily.
ATV-Teile.de is a manufacturer of small, lightweight trailers. With interest and creativity, a small, sturdy car trailer was custom-made for us. It contains a spacious drawer for a mattress, sleeping bag or duvet, cooking set, table, etc. The whole thing is TÜV tested and approved. A separate license plate is not required, as such a light trailer in France must always have the same license plate as the towing vehicle.
Dimensions of the result: total length 180 cm, width 114 cm and height, suitable for the tent, exactly 60 cm. With the thickness of the packed tent on top it is approx. 75 cm high. The weight on the trailer coupling is 10 to 15 kg. Weight of leather 52 kg. With everything included and everything included is the per depending on luggage in the drawer at slightly over 80 kg. But we did our best and are satisfied with that.
Both Gentle Tent and ATV Parts were extremely helpful in bringing this idea to fruition. The whole thing cost €4,500. As you use it, you will probably come up with ideas for improvements.
Does the trailer obstruct the view behind the TWIKE 5? No, the view through the rear window of the TWIKE 5 is approximately 78 to 96 cm above the ground due to the narrow window below the trunk handle, and the slanted window above the handle is 112 to 121 cm high. So clear view with this trailer.
The center of the coupling ball has when loaded the TWIKE 5 incidentally a height of 38 cm, which for the category L5e between the prescribed height of 35 to 42 cm lies.
Here are some photos from the first time we inflated the B-Turtle in the garden and slept well in it.
Those who do not live in France might think that we do not have this problem in our country. With the TWIKE 5, we can easily tow an unbraked trailer weighing up to 250 kg.
That’s true, but “thanks” to strict French regulations, we have made great efforts to keep this weight to a minimum, which means significantly lower energy consumption on future journeys. Let’s be honest, otherwise you would, dear reader, and I wouldn’t have thought about it.
Incidentally, the lightest caravan weighs around 600 kg. A lightweight tent trailer easily weighs 300 kg and costs more than €10,000.
A tent without a trailer or an overnight stay in a hotel is of course also possible.
In our case, with the two folding bikes, it would fit in the trunk of the a7> TWIKE 5 at least for us campers tight become.
I wish you all a wonderful vacation. Wim Rullmann
