The Best Bike Trailers (Review) in 2020

It’s easy to exercise regularly when you’re on your own, but once the kids come, it can be very hard to find that extra time. And although you may get some physical activity chasing your kid around the house and playground, you still need time for real exercise. Enter bike trailers – the perfect way to maintain an active lifestyle without sacrificing family time. Of course, bike trailers are not reserved for parents only – a nice carrier trailer can invaluable for urban commuters too.

But with so many models to choose from, how do you find one that’s right for your needs and budget? Besides outlining some of the best bike trailers on the market, we’ve also put together a comprehensive buying guide to help you make the best possible purchasing decision. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into what to look for (and what to avoid!) when purchasing a bike trailer.

What to Consider When Buying a Bike Trailer

When purchasing a bike trailer, it’s important to consider a few crucial details before making the final decision.

• Trailer Type

Let’s start from the beginning – what kind of a bike trailer do you need? If you plan to bike with your little ones in tow, you need a child bike trailer. If besides cycling you also want to be able to jog with your kids, you want a  jogger trailer. And if you’re more of a stroll kind of person, you need a bike trailer stroller. What if you want two or all three of these things? In that case, there’s no need to purchase two or three different products. Today, there’s plenty of 3-in-1 and 2-in-1 bike trailers that allow you to quickly and easily go from biking to jogging to strolling.

If you need a bike trailer for commuting groceries and other essentials (but not kids), there are great options to choose from. Burley’s Travoy bike trailer and similar models are ideal for this – lightweight, compact, easy to use and capable of carrying heavy loads, these types of bike trailers can make your everyday life easier, plus your health better.

• Single or Double

Another crucial criterion to choose a bike trailer based on is the number of children you plan to cycle with. If you have one child and are not planning to have a second one, the choice is clear – single trailers are for you. If you plan on having another kid or already have two children, double seat bike trailers are what you should be looking at.

Keep in mind that single seat trailers are easier to maneuver and store. On the other hand, double seat trailers offer more flexibility (you can bring a friend with your kid or more essentials and cargo when going on longer cycling trips).

• Safety

Besides the type and number of seats, pay attention to the safety of bike trailers. Not only should you look for trailers with proper harnesses – 5-point for toddlers, 3-point for older kids – but models with safety flags and/or reflectors. Furthermore, you want only safety-certified bike trailers. As for specific features to look for, it’s a good idea to get brightly colored trailers as they’re more visible in the dark. That said, this is not a must-have as most trailers come with safety flags and reflective gear that help make them visible no matter their color.

Speaking of safety, it’s also important to protect your child from harsh sunlight, rain and insects. Look for bike trailers with weather and bug screens that you can open and close as needed. If you live in a hot and sunny climate, it’s a good idea to get trailers with UV-protected windows.

• Price

Let’s face it – price matters, both because it limits you in your choices, and because it affects the quality and safety of the product. Indeed, you (typically) get what you pay for. That being said, more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better quality. There are many budget-friendly quality bike trailers available nowadays, so finding the right product that fits your budget shouldn’t be hard.

Child Bike Trailers vs Child Bike Seats

Biking with your little one in tow is one of the best ways to introduce them to a lifelong love of physical activity. But riding with your kid in the trailer is just one option – there’s also a child bike seat available if that’s what you prefer. Not sure what you prefer? Our Child Bike Trailers vs. Child Bike Seats comparison can help you decide which option is better for you and your family.

Child Bike Trailers

If riding with a little sidecar attached to the rear of your bike sounds like a great idea, bike trailers are for you. These models are comfortable, safe, easy to use and are perfect for riding with one to two children.

• Pros: very safe, decreases the risk of falling; comfortable both for the rider and child; allows for carrying extra essentials and cargo with you; can take more than one child; many can convert to jogging strollers.
• Cons: child out of sight; can be difficult to maneuver and store (depends on the size of the trailer and model), more expensive than regular bike seats.

Child Bike Seats

If you prefer the more traditional parent-child bike riding, consider purchasing a bike seat for your kid, either the front mounted or rear mounted one.

• Pros (front-mounted): the child has a great view; the rider has more control as they can see the child in front of them at all times.
• Cons (front-mounted): not as safe as bike trailers as they raise the center of gravity of a bike; the risk of the child interfering with steering; lack of leg room for the rider.
• Pros (rear-mounted): more comfortable for the rider than front-mounted seats.
• Cons (rear-mounted): can affect a bike’s balance; child out of sight.

Types of Bike Trailers

There are dozens of bike trailers available on the market, but when it comes to their purpose, there are three main types. Knowing the differences between each can help you decide which one is best suited to your needs.

• Multi-sport Bike Trailer

These are the 3-in-1 bike trailers that allow you to not only bike with your kid in tow, but jog and stroll with them too. The multi-sport bike trailers tend to be super-comfortable and spacey, although they can be a little difficult to store and/or transform from one type to another. However, most models (especially the pricier ones) are easy and quick to convert, so are ideal for super-active parents who regularly and frequently use their bike trailers.

• Trailer + Jogger or Trailer + Stroller

This type of bike trailer comes with either a jogging wheel attachment or a stroller wheel. The 2-in-1 models are a great choice for parents who besides biking with their kids like to either jog or stroll from time to time. While they’re pretty comfy, they tend to be at least somewhat less comfortable than their multi-sport counterparts. That being said, exactly how comfortable and easy to use the trailer will be, depends first and foremost on its construction and - yes, you guessed it - its price.

• Standard Child Bike Trailer

Typically affordable and very simple to use, standard bike trailers are great for parents looking for a safe and easy way to bike with their little ones in tow. They don’t come with a stroller or jogger attachments, so they only have one purpose – being used as a little sidecar for your child. The lower-end models provide basic needs, while the higher-end ones offer more comfort features and larger wheel size.

There are also pedal-along child bike trailers available which allow your child to exercise with you safely and comfortably. Another option is the “commuter” bike trailer which allows you to commute essentials, groceries and other cargo from point A to point B with ease and comfort. Finally, there are pet bike trailers available as well, which are great options for dog and cat owners.

How to Attach a Bike Trailer

Most bike trailers are really simple to attach to a bike. Although the exact installation steps will slightly vary from model to model, this is typically what you should do if the unit has a nut and bolt axle:

• Remove the nut and washer from the bike using a wrench. Put these safely aside as you’ll need them again soon.
• Put the tab washer onto axle of the bike so that fits perfectly into the frame.
• Place the coupler onto the axle by fitting it to the holes in the tab washer (the large hole goes on the bottom).
• Now put the washer and nut back on to the bike’s axle and tighten it with a wrench.
• Finally, fasten the trailer’s tow bar to the coupler plate.

Best Bike Trailers FAQ:

Q: Are trailers safe?

A: Bike trailers are perfectly safe for toddlers and older children. They’re stable and secure, practically impossible to flip over no matter the road. And even if in some unfortunate event your bike tips over along with the trailer, your child will be protected thanks to the enclosure and safety belts. Because all trailers come with either a 3-point or 5-point harness safety system, they help keep the child securely seated during the ride, however, this doesn't mean you should forego a child bike helmet.

Q: How should I transport my trailer?

A: If your trailer has a collapsible design, you can fold and carry it with you however you desire. This is particularly convenient if you travel by car to specific locations to bike, as you can easily fit the trailer in the trunk of the car or the back seat. Of course, you don’t have to de-attach the trailer from the bike each time your kid is done using it if the bike is momstly used for child-parent driving and you drive it around the neighborhood. Just keep it attached at all times and save yourself some time and effort from constant installing and de-installing the bike trailer.

Q: Can I use my bike trailer to carry my pet?

A: Of course! There are bike trailers specifically designed for pets, but many child bike trailers can also be used for small pets too. Just make sure your pet can fit inside the trailer comfortably and that they have a decent view. Trailers for pets are especially useful for disabled and senior dogs and cats who can no longer spend a lot of time in the outdoors on their own.

Our Top Pick

While we liked all 10 bike trailers on our Top List, we loved the InStep’s Take 2, Foldable Tow Behind Bike Trailer. There are several reasons why this is our Top Pick, but the most important ones include its excellent quality and construction, great safety and comfort, and reasonable price. With two comfy seats, each with 5-point harness systems, as well as a two-in-one canopy with weather and bug screen, the trailer provides both comfortable and safe rides. And thanks to its collapsible design, the unit is also easy to assemble and fold for compact storage and easy transportation. All in all, considering the quality of build materials, a sturdy and durable design, and a decent price tag, this is one of the best bike trailers on the market.

Sources:

1. How to Replace Bicycle Trailer Bearings - WikiHow