Test report Thule Chariot Cougar 2 bicycle trailer

Overview of the Thule Chariot Cougar 2 bicycle trailer

The Chariot Cougar 2 Thule has 2015 brought a new edition of the most popular children’s bike trailer on the market. The Thule Chariot Cougar 2 offers everything in functions and safety what the parent’s heart desires.What makes the bicycle trailer the Swedish roof boxes giants besides itsappealing design and an ingenious leaf suspension and its versatility.Because the Chariot Cougar 2 transforms into a jogger or a child buggy with a few hand movements and offers active parents many applications.Priced all-rounder is in the upper part, is within the range of the brand Thule , which since 2011 of producing child trailers dedicated to the premium products.

Scope of delivery and first impression of the Thule Chariot Cougar 2 bicycle trailer

The Chariot Cougar 2 bike trailer comes in a compact box with dimensions 28x78x110 cm, and a weight of 17 kg. All items arereasonable in foil and foam packaging , so that transport damage is minimized. In addition to the folded passenger compartment, the children’s trailer includes two 20-inch bicycles, an aluminum dowel, a padded aluminum handle, safety pennants, four orange spoke brackets and two white and two red safety reflectors with attachments.Furthermore, the Chariot Cougar 2 children’s bicycle trailer was an axle quick release, black and white manual in German language, as well as a warning in French and English. Frame and all visible struts are made of anodised aluminum. The little used plastic makes a robust and high-quality impression and all fabrics are outstanding. Adjustable parts are provided with push buttons or quick-release fasteners and promise uncomplicated use. All in all, the Thule Chariot Cougar 2 bike trailer makes a sensible as well as trustworthy first impression.

Commissioning of the Thule Chariot Cougar 2 bicycle trailer

The instructions included in the Chariot Cougar 2 are clearly arranged in three languages. Large images and structured points are self-explanatory. However, the images are not in color and force one to look twice as in “Assembling the Safety Flag”. This is still not a tragedy because the Thule Chariot Cougar 2 the assembly instructions is even unnecessary for a layman. All parts as well as assembly steps are logical and do not cause misunderstandings. The bike trailer must only be opened for commissioning. This is done by a courteous pull-out of the passenger compartment. The fixing takes over on both sides attached locking pins. These must necessarily engage. Already inflated delivered wheels can be attached with only one handle thanks to the pressure point mounting. The fixing of all reflectors and flag is simple and well documented in the booklet, so that no question remains open. When installing the drawbar and trailer coupling, we proceeded as described in the manual and did not need any tools, which was extremely comfortable. Because the aluminum pole can be the basis of a smooth click-system left the bike trailer and tighten the towbar place using the supplied quick release on the left axis side of the rear wheel into place. To complete the Thule Chariot Cougar 2, the handle is also mounted using the click system at the designated location. The only thing we could complain about in the bike trailer commissioning is the missing tool, which is needed to attach the reflectors. As well as the warning reference without translation into German. Both points are not serious, since the missing tool is a slot and cross-screwdriver and the warning is to be understood on the basis of the successful pictures also without additional knowledge of foreign languages. In summary, we did not need more than three minutes to commission the bike trailer.An additional ten minutes went into the assembly of the reflectors and cat eyes, which is a satisfactory result for us.

Thule Chariot Cougar 2 bicycle trailer in Praxistest

The Chariot Cougar 2 Thule proved in our practical test as a true all-rounder , who did not have to lose its primary function as a child bike trailer. The spacious two-seater fit perfectly effortlessly through our narrow test lab door. This has advantages when the trailer is to be maneuvered before narrow traffic by narrow staircases or elevators. The actual assembly takes only a few minutes. For this purpose, the axle coupling is mounted on the wheel with the included quick-release clamp and remains there even when not in use. With the safety pin, the drawbar head is next locked in the coupling. Done! We thought the assembly was very stable and trustworthy, but we did not come without a little fumble. In the passenger compartment, two children with a maximum total weight of 45 kg can be accommodated. Both 5-point belts are properly processed and can be used without restriction. Unfortunately, it is not possible to place a child seat centrally for a better balance when singling, since the seatbelts are firmly sewn with the backrest.

We carried out the test ride with a standardized weight of nine kilograms in the interior. This comparatively low weight was clearly felt on the rear wheel at each start-up and acceleration, but the driving behavior was by no means adversely affected. The ride with the Chariot Cougar 2 bike trailer is very stable due to its width. Also the usual driving method does not have to be changed since no increased consideration is given to the relative over-width. The driving behavior under non-everyday conditions, like the Elchte, we found very exemplary. We were not able to detect any significant tilting tendencies during rapid turning.

The Thule Chariot Cougar 2 bicycle trailer is designed for a wide range of application areas and many driving characteristics. As a very praiseworthy we found the manually adjusted leaf spring, the medium-high curb driveways and descents effortlessly put away at all angles.The ride on asphalted roads was effortless and low in vibration. With the separately available buggy set, any stay in cities is a pleasure. The excellent suspension of the Thule Chariot Cougar 2 also proved to be extremely successful when riding over bumpy ground like cobblestone pavement. This result also confirmed the obtained values of vibration sensors. Durations over such rough terrain are neither comfortable for the driver nor for the passenger, but can be made carefree.

On unpaved bike paths and gravel roads, the Thule proved Chariot Cougar 2 bike trailer as very smoothly. No disturbing rattling or squeaking of the material could be noticed in any of the driven subsoils.Only we complain about the tarpaulin with the insect repellent.Although this is designed so that the closing very quickly and easily by means of two plastic clips is possible, however, jumped in our practical test a clip continuously from its anchorage and could not be fixed even after repeated attempts. In the worst case, the resulting gap can cause dirt to penetrate into the passenger compartment, or even to injure the occupants by swirling stones.

The Chariot Cougar 2 is an ideal companion on rough terrain due to the large wheels and its sprawling width. Thus it is possible to take walks in forests and meadows. If you are planning a longer excursion with the children, you can easily include some toys and luggage. In the large storage space, behind the trailer, a lot can be stored. The comfortable sleeping position for two smaller children in the Chariot Cougar 2 and the existing sun protection, rain protection and insect protection are further strengths for longer trips. However, an active backlight is missing for night driving, which however can easily be retrofitted.

In our practice test, transportation by car was only possible to a limited extent. The Thule Chariot Cougar 2 bike trailer can be folded up in a few seconds to a height of 24 cm compact. However, after disassembling the wheels and the handle, it still has a length of 107 cm. The bike trailer was easily found in the trunk of the VW Passat, which corresponds to a family-friendly middle-class sedan, however, there was very little space left for payload.

Thule Chariot Cougar 2 bicycle trailer

Thule Chariot Cougar 2 bicycle trailer photo gallery

Thule Chariot Cougar 2 bicycle trailer in brief

• Product characteristics