How to Choose Bicycle Trailer & Stroller for Kids | Buyers Guide 2022
When you go for a spin around the neighborhood or love riding your bicycle in the park, you might also want to take your precious little one with you so that he is not left alone at home and can enjoy some fresh air and the environment
You need a kid bike trailer to put your baby into it and go for the ride in such cases.
However, with numerous brands and models of child bicycle carriers available in the market, you might get confused about what features and aspects would provide the best convenience and safety for you and your baby as well.
To help you find one, we have prepared this guide with everything you need to know about how to choose bicycle trailer to pick the best one is much easier than before.
How to Choose Bicycle Trailer: Everything You Should Know
What is a Bicycle Trailer and How Does It Work?
In simple words, a bike trailer is an additional accessory or cart with wheels that can be attached at the rear of the bicycle so that you can carry things easily and more conveniently.
It provides an incredibly large amount of extra carrying space for your cycle and helps you carry many things on your bicycle without any difficulties.
It is mostly used to carry a child with you whenever you are going for a ride. This accessory not only keeps the baby safe and comfortable but at the same time also provides you the opportunity to take your child out for fresh air or a usual spin.
The mechanism behind trailer is extremely simple and easy. You just attach it with the required screws and nuts at the back of your bike and it is ready to go. As it has integrated wheels, the trailer will move as the cycle moves.
Benefits of Owning a Bicycle Trailer
There are several benefits a bicycle trailer offers to its users. Some of the most prominent advantages of this cart are as follows.
You Can Stay Fit Without Any Complications
One amazing advantage is that it will help you to stay fit and active and build your body over time. When you are carrying a child on the cart, you will require more strength to ride around.
When you provide such strength and energy to ride your cycle, you will burn more calories and over time, you will become fit and healthy as well.
Sharing a Fun and Adventurous Time With Your Kids
Another benefit is that you get the opportunity to spend more time with your precious little one. Even when you are going out, you don’t have to leave your baby behind and can actually take him with you on the cart so that you can have fun together and bond better.
Fresh Air for the Kids
You cannot deny the fact that when you take your little one for a ride on the trailer, it refreshes his mind. The fresh air from the environment makes him happy and at the same time, he also learns many things from the surroundings, which he wouldn’t have learned if he didn’t get out. A bicycle trailer helps you to keep your baby happy.
Increased Carrying Capacity
One aspect of a bike child carrier: you have to agree that it increases your cycle's carrying capacity by several notches.
While without a carrier, you could maybe carry only one child with you (if you mounted a child seat on the cycle), with the cart attached, now you can carry 2 kids and some of your groceries at the same time.
Leave No One Behind
As we have mentioned, a kid’s bicycle trailer allows you to carry both your little ones together. There are more than a few trailers available in the market that can accommodate both your kids at the same time so that you don’t have to leave any of them behind. This helps to make the family bond better.
Type of Bicycle Trailers: Are Bike Trailers Only for Children? Which Trailer Type Should I Choose?
As there are several types of bike trailers available in the market, you have to be very careful and specific while choosing the right one for yourself.
Child Trailers
Stroller Type
The different types of stroller child bicycle trailers that you should know about are:
Multi-sport
As the name suggests, a Multi-sport trailer can be used for multiple purposes. You can either attach it to your bicycle to carry your baby or use it as a stroller for better convenience. For additional easiness and comfortableness, this trailer also comes with a trailer arm and stroller kit so that you never face any difficulties.
Trailer + Stroller
This trailer type is not as comfortable or enjoyable as the others. Even though it comes with a stroller wheel attachment, the absence of certain features made it not so popular among users.
Trailer Only
From the name, you can understand that this carrier is dedicated and doesn’t come with any stroller or jogger attachments.
Bike Cargo Trailer / Luggage Trailer
A luggage bike trailer is like no other. It is used to carry heavy loads around easily and effortlessly. As this cart is mainly for carrying heavy loads, it comes with its own set of integrated wheels so that you don’t feel the burden when roaming around with it.
Trailer for Pets (Dogs / Cats)
As the name suggests, the trailers for pets is to carry your dogs and cats with you whenever you are going for a ride. This special trailer makes sure that your precious pet doesn’t have to run behind your cycle and get tired and hurt.
For the best convenience and safety of your pet, this trailer is usually enclosed & comes with an interior leash attachment so that there are zero chances of your pet running away.
Budget: What’s Your Budget?
The budget is a crucial factor to consider because, in almost all cases, the performance, safety, and comfort factor greatly depends on the price you are paying. Before shopping, set a budget in your mind.
This will not only help to find the desired cart according to your budget quickly but at the same time also save you from wasting your time and energy.
Trailer Size: How Many Kids Do You Want to Drive Around? Do You Need a Single Trailer or Double Trailer?
Before making your purchase, you should first decide what trailer size would be the best for you. For instance, if you have only one baby, getting a big one wouldn’t be a wise choice to make and vice versa if you have two little ones.
Let’s discuss the different types of trailer sizes to pick the right one that is easier for you.
Single Trailer
As the name suggests, this is made for just one little passenger. If you have only one little one, this type is the best option.
Furthermore, as single trailers are lighter in weight, they are easier to ride with than the others.
Double Trailer
These are relatively big and can accommodate up to 80 to 99 lb. of weight, which means that you can carry two of your babies effortlessly in this cart.
In addition to providing space for both your kids together, this spacious cart also offers a lot of storage space.
Cabin Dimensions
The internal cabin dimension of the cycle child carrier is important as it determines the comfort and safety of the child.
As the dimension varies from model to model, you have to be very careful when buying the right one for your precious little one as a difference of few inches can greatly impact the head and shoulder of your precious little one.
Inner Material: Toxic or Non-toxic Components?
While buying, ensure that the cart's inner material is made from non-toxic materials and nothing else. These materials will keep your baby safe and healthy and happy while you take him out for a ride.
Trailer Weight: How Much Does a Bicycle Trailer Weigh?
When buying, try to pick the most lightweight one because a heavyweight trailer, along with a baby, would increase the overall weight and make it difficult for you to maneuver the cycle.
Most bicycle trailers weigh between 15lbs.-25 lbs. However, get the one that would be easier for you to maneuver.
Weight Capacity
Before making your final buying decision, make sure to check the cart's weight capacity as safety precautions.
If the trailer’s accommodation capacity is lower than your baby’s weight, there are high chances that the trailer might fell apart or cause any unfortunate events.
Seat Type – Buckles, Hammock, or Bench
The bicycle carrier is all about comfort. As this cart is meant for kids, it prioritizes the comfort factor the most.
And that’s why this tag along comes with different seat types to provide utmost comfort to the little rider so that he never feels any pain or ache in the body.
Buckles and Harness Seats
From the name, it’s clear that this type of trailer includes a seat with a harness system to offer maximum safety to your precious little one. It doesn’t matter if you are using a single trailer or a double one. Each seat has a separate integrated harness system, more like a child car seat, to provide the kids with the utmost safety.
Hammock-type Seat
The hammock-style trailer seat is actually like a hammock on the tree. Generally, inexpensive trailers come with this seat because they care more about volume than comfort- this seat is non-padded and is created by stretching by a nylon or canvas fabric.
Bench-type Seats
If you want comfort for your precious little one, then bench seats are the best- these seats come with enough padding to provide incredible resilience to the rider.
The bench trailer seats are the most comfortable among the trailer seats and are mostly found in high-end trailers for kids.
Wheels & Maximum Speeds
Normally, trailers come with either 16″ wheels or 20″ ones. However, before picking one for your cart, remember that the larger and beefier the wheels and tires, the more control and comfort they will provide to the riders.
Moreover, speed is also affected by wheel size. While the 16″ ones offer a maximum speed of 10 mph, the bigger 20″ tires allow you to enjoy a speed of 15 mph.
External Covers & Venting
It’s not always that you would ride in favorable weather conditions. To keep your child well-protected from various external factors, you must look for the following features when buying.
Rain Covers/weatherproof
Many bicycle carrier in the market come with integrated weather protection features to protect your baby from getting drenched while it’s raining.
Try to get such a cart to prevent rains and save the kid from the shivery wind or even snow.
UV Resistant /retractable Sunshades
As rain covers, you must also keep in mind the UV-resistant covers to ensure that the child doesn’t get burned from the sun's blazing heat.
This retractable shade keeps the baby cool and comfortable while you are riding under the sun.
Ventilation / Windows
When you get a trailer with rain covers and UV sunshades, then don’t forget about adequate ventilation- without enough windows and rain/sun covers, your baby might feel suffocated and get ill while you take him for a riding session.
Suspension to Absorb Shocks
While shopping, never forget to check the suspension system first. The suspension mechanism absorbs the road's shock and vibrations and helps to keep your precious little one free from impact and aches.
Some carrier also offer an extra suspension system for the utmost comfort of the little kid.
Storage Pockets: How Much Storage Space Do You Need?
When you ride with a little kid, you must carry a few things, like snacks, water bottles, toys, etc. And that’s why storage pockets in bicycle trailer are extremely important to keep your little one well taken care of during each ride.
You can also find trailers with adults storage compartments for added convenience.
Bicycle Trailer Safety Features: Are Bicycle Trailers Safe
The kids' safety is one of the most crucial aspects of a bike trailer and that’s why you must keep a close eye on the safety measures of the cart to make sure that your precious little one is always safe and sound while you take him for roaming around on the cycle.
Backup Strap
Most of the trailer is attached to the bike frame with a trailer arm. You should always make sure that this arm is bolted to the frame securely to have fewer chances of accidents.
However, to ensure maximum safety, the trailers also come with a backup connection like a long strap that can be clipped to the frame to ensure that the cart is still attached to the bike if one fails.
Dual Wheels
Before making your purchase decision, make sure that the carrier has two whells to ensure phenomenal safety for your precious little one.
The dual wheel feature ensures that the cart can suppress the road vibrations and bumps successfully and provide your child with a comfortable and safe riding experience.
Fabric Sides
You must keep your baby warm and safe in adverse weather conditions while you take him outside.
Look for a trailer that comes with fabric sides because this allows you to zip the sides in place and enclose the riding area so that dirt, dust, snow, or other things from the outside cannot get inside the cart cause a problem for your child.
Rotating Arm
To ensure that the kid’s trailer doesn’t tip-off during the cycling, look for a trailer arm attached to the bike's body with a ball and socket mechanism.
This advanced attach system prevents your cart from tipping over and keeps it in an upright position even when your cycle spills.
Harness Straps
The harness straps are the most important safety features of a kid’s trailer. This is because it ensures that your kid won’t roll over or get hurt during the rides.
This safety system includes a buckle and a strap and is often padded to provide comfort with safety.
Metal Frame
If you want the trailer to last for a long period, then going for a metal frame would be the best choice. In addition to sturdiness, a metal trailer also offers durability and safety.
With a strong and sturdy structure, you can rest assured that your baby’s cart won’t break off or fall apart during the rides.
Reflectors
Reflectors on a trailer, especially if it’s a kid’s bike trailer, are extremely important. These accessories draw attention quickly to the passing vehicles and keep your bike as well as trailer away from any accidents.
Safety Flag
Even though the trailer is a part of the bicycle, it still sits low on the ground and therefore, it might be a bit difficult for onlookers to spot it instantly. Choose a trailer with a flag post so that you can mount a flag and make sure that others spot your trailer quickly.
Advanced Bicycle Trailer Features
When you buy, there are some additional features you might want to enjoy. Let’s discuss these features so that you can figure out which you need and what to leave.
Collapsible or Foldable: Do You Need the Trailer to Fold Small for Storage or Transport?
It’s the best idea that you pick the foldable design for your bicycle trailer because you would not always start your ride from home.
When you are on a trip, you might want to go for a ride to see the surroundings with your kid- in such cases. A foldable design would provide you the best convenience. You can just turn the cart into a compact size and carry it inside your car effortlessly.
Wheel Size
Generally, trailers come in two-wheel sizes- 16” and 20” so that you can choose the one according to your comfort level.
If you want the most comfortable ride for your little one, then get the larger size as it ensures a smoother yet faster ride. The large-sized wheels also help to balance the cart better.
Hitching Mechanism
Like the wheel size, the carrier also feature two types of hitching mechanisms- the quick-release or thru-axle and the rear triangle.
While the quick-release one uses a quick-release skewer to connect and disconnect the cart to the bike, the rear triangle system uses a clamp-style hitch. You should pick the one that is convenient for you.
Bike Trailer Attachments
Even though trailer's main purpose is to attach it with the bike frame, you might sometimes want to use it as a stroller.
And for this reason, while purchasing, be sure that it comes with additional accessories and attachments so that you can convert it back and forth as you want.
Other Consideration
Few other things that you must consider before buying a cycle child trailer are:
Number of Your Kids
The number of your kids is crucial to keep in mind because the size of the trailer you should buy depends largely on how many children to want to take with you on the ride.
For one kid, a single-seat trailer is perfect. However, for two little ones, you should get a double-seated one.
Where Will You Use the Trailer? What Kind of Terrain Will You Be Riding on?
Knowing the type of terrain you would ride your bicycle on is also crucial. For instance, if you ride on mountain terrains, you must get a trailer with the maximum suspension to ensure the baby’s comfort.
On the other hand, if you intend to take rides on smooth road surfaces, a suspension is not as necessary.
Bicycle Trailer Accessories
A few bike trailers accessories are available in the market that can make your riding experience with your child even more delightful. We have discussed them below for a better understanding.
Gear Bags
Gear bags help you to keep your gears clean and safe. These bags usually come with cargo trailers for more convenience.
Hitch Arm/mount
Some gears are available in the market that offers swappable mount systems so that the trailer is compatible with a handful of rear axles, wheel sizes, and braking mechanisms.
Bicycle Trailer Brands
Some of the most popular brands that manufacture child bicycle carrier are as follows.
Allen Sports
Based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Allen Sports is an incredibly popular name in the biking world.
From producing different types of biking, running, or hiking equipment to offering these gears for kids, this company never ceases to satisfy its customers demands.
Burley
Located in Eugene, Ore, Burley has been around for 30 years and successfully manufacturing different cycling products to satisfy its customer's various needs.
This decades-old company’s main focus is functional design, safety, and others while offering phenomenal services.
Chariot Carriers
Based in Calgary, Alberta, Chariot Carriers is a privately-owned family-run business that solely focuses on producing outdoor transportations for kids and toddlers.
From bicycle trailers to even side carriers, this company ensures that you get what you want for your precious little one when it comes to riding outside.
Croozer
While many other companies produce bicycle trailers only for kids, Croozer manufactures various carts to meet everyone’s demand. From trailers to cargo and even pet carts, this company would never cease to impress you.
Schwinn
Founded in 1895 in Chicago, Illinois, Schwinn is the most well-known brand that manufactures different bicycle types and offers bicycle accessories, including bicycle trailers.
Thule ( need to Edit as per Thule )
Thule is a Swedish company founded by Magnus Welander in 1942. This company manufactures different outdoor & transportation products which is selling in 136 countries around the world.
In addition to providing different cycling accessories and products, WeeRide is also known to offer various types of child carriers and trailers to meet its customer's demands.
Bicycle Trailer Maintenance
As a child bicycle trailer is a moving part of the bicycle you are riding, it also needs regular maintenance for a smooth riding experience. Therefore, you must never neglect taking care of it as your baby’s safety also depends on it.
Before taking the trailer out for a spin, don’t forget to examine its tires to ensure that they are in good condition so that you don’t face any accidents while riding with your kid.
Moreover, remember to see if the reflectors, lights, and the flag are working properly- these things help others to detect your trailer from far away.
Check the weight limit before putting your kid as it's natural that your child may out weight the cart.
Also, never hesitate to check the hitch and the attachment points on the bicycle frame.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Bicycle Trailers Attach?
Bicycle trailers are usually attached at the rear of the bicycle. It is most commonly mounted either on the seat post or the rear axle for better movability.
However, before connecting this to your cycle, make sure that it is compatible with your cycle’s axle, drivetrain and brakes as well.
Can I Use My Bicycle Trailer to Carry My Pet (Dogs/cats)?
Of course, you can. It is used to carry many things other than your baby, and that’s why you can also carry your pets easily with adequate safety precautions.
Should You Buy a Separate Run Stroller?
Several bicycle trailer are available in the market that can be used both as a stroller and a trailer. If you have one of these, there is no need to buy a separate stroller for your little one.
Is It Easy to Fit a Bicycle Trailer Inside a Car?
Well, whether a bicycle trailer will fit into your car or not entirely depends on the trailer size and your car type and model. We just cannot provide any black and white verdict here.
Can a 6 Month Old Ride in a Bike Trailer?
Putting a 6 month old baby on a bike trailer is not safe at all. Your precious little one should be at least one year old before you even consider putting him on the cart and riding.
However, if you use it as a stroller, the 6 months plus age is perfect.
Does a Child Need to Wear a Helmet in a Bike Trailer?
Babies and toddlers should always wear a well-made, excellent quality helmet before riding. This will ensure additional safety for them.
Wrapping Up
In this article, we have tried to include every possible feature and factors that you must keep in mind when buying.
We can now assume that with the help of this amazing guide, you would be able to find the best one for your kid so that he can enjoy a ride with you.
Best of luck.
