"The Mule" Surf Carrier

[venice mace]

2nd time using the damn thing stiching came  out of the nylon and the thing just collapsed behind my bike sending my new PSH crashing to the gound.  Piss poor design and even worse construction. Worst $100 bucks ive spent in a long time! 

[shapeshifter]

are you sure it wasn't just an issue of adjustment? i realize how much it hurts to damage such an expensive and highly prized board but i've been around these things and know people who really enjoy the convenience this product provides for them.

[Chops]

Hmm... I've been extremely happy with my mule.  My board flipped over about a week ago while in transport due to strong winds.  No damage though as the tail and nose sections protected my board.  Did you have the buckle on the top or bottom of your board? 

[stoneaxe]

Damn...bro Bill towed his behind his motorcycle a couple of time without problem. Not recommended but it worked. We also had it LOADED with boards and coolers moving gear back and forth last year at the showcase. No problems...I'm still planning on getting one.

Have you contacted them...may have been a problem with that one if stitching came out.

[NCBA]

Get "A Dog". They're mans best friend.

[PonoBill]

Wow, that's terrible. I'm really sorry to hear that, I've recommended the Mule to lots of people and I've never heard anyone say anything bad about them.

I've had nothing but good luck with mine--I abused the heck out of it, expecting it to fail and it never did. I built my trailer because I didn't want to sacrifice a board if the Mule died, but it never did. and really never showed any signs of expiring. I've towed mine at 60+ MPH behind my motorcycle from Haiku to Kanaha (about 20 miles) numerous times. I also love how compact the things are when you stuff them back in the bag.

My trailer has loops that will prevent the board from hitting the ground if the wheel, axle or hitch fails. You might want to build something like this, but I caution you that it will cost you a lot more than a hundred bucks. http://www.kenalu.com/index.php?s=trailer&x=0&y=0

As Bob mentioned we've use a mule and board as a wheelbarrow to move multiple coolers full of ice and soft drinks at events. I fully expected the axle to break--we probably had more than 200 pounds on the thing several times, but they held up fine.

[PonoBill]

Oops, that link was not quite right, though it does include the trailer article if you scroll down far enough. Here's the proper link: http://www.kenalu.com/2008/11/30/sup-motorcycle-trailer/

[venice mace]

Thanks for that Pono..I must have just got a faulty one.  I respect your opinion and will give it another try now that I have had it re-stiched. 

[Nate Burgoyne]

Those Mules are pretty tough and they stand behind their product. I heard of one  Mule having the stitching come a little loose and it was replaced right away. Shoots, I don't know about 60 mph behind the motorcycle that's nuts. Post video Pono.

[joeag]

I had a similar incident with the MULE.  Got a new strap right away and had a shoemaker reinforce the old one just to be safe.  Mine didn't totally come apart but it came loose, loose enough, I think, to allow the nose to slide out of the front piece.

I now tie a knot in the long strap after pulling it tight, because I also think that can slip and cause slack.  My board slid out while making a turn.  I think it was also due to the fact that the board was a noserider, so the front piece was harder to secure than a board with a more pulled in nose.