Bicycle Touring Trailers
August 6, 2009 by Darren Alff
If you’re thinking about a trip by bike, you might consider the use of a trailer. While backpacks and panniers are great for some, many traveling by bike choose to carry their gear in a trailer pulled behind their bike.
There are bicycle trailers made to haul just about anything (from dogs to children, and yes, even boats), but what you’ll find here is a list of trailers that can be used for long-distance bike touring. While they have not all been specifically designed for bicycle travel, each trailer here could be used in that way if so desired.
So, without further adieu, here it is: The ultimate list of bicycle touring trailers.
Adventure Cargo Trailer
Avenir
BicycleR Evolution
Bob Ibex
Bob Yak
Burley Nomad
Burley Flatbed
Carry Freedom City
Carry Freedom Y-Frame
Croozer Cargo
Croozer Travel
Extrawheel
Maya Cycle
Nashbar Cargo Trailer
Optima Quik-Pak
Radical Design Cyclone II
Velorbis Jumbo/Junior Trailer
Weber Monoporter
If you know of a trailer that I’ve missed and should be listed here, please leave a comment below. Make sure you leave the name of the trailer, the company that makes it and (if possible) a link to the company website. Thanks!
By the way… Have you used any of these trailers yourself? If so, which one(s) have you used and what did you think?
“Do you prefer panniers or a trailer when traveling by bike?” That’s a question I’ve been asked time and time again...
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36 Responses to “Bicycle Touring Trailers”
Questions? Comments? Leave your thoughts in the form below...
Hey there!
Great article. I think you covered the gamut of trailers. One blog I follow that describes these trailers in use is http://biketrailerblog.com/. I believe they are a little business located in AZ. Clever folks with some great ideas and sponsors of durability testing of trailers.
One trailer I thought of in addition to this list is “the hauler” by human powered machines in Eugene, OR. http://hpm.catoregon.org/?page_id=83 I guess its more of a utility trailer than a touring rig but I guess it depends on how much you want to pull behind you on a touring adventure.
Cheers,
Logan.
I’m surprised you didn’t mention the Bike Friday Travel System considering you’ve toured on a BF!
http://community.bikefriday.com/newtravelsystem
I did love your articles on your European sojourn though!
Keep pedaling.
Bob
Bike Nashbar Cargo Trailer 1 & 2 (note 2 versions)…they are basically BOB clones, but much cheaper.
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_171080_-1___
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_171082_-1___
My full review for the BOB Ibex is already posted on BTP under the comments section [link below]…. Title: B.O.B. Ibex Trailer ****1/2 “Great trailer…recommended!”
http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/bob-ibex-bicycle-trailer-an-in-depth-review/
I think if you’re doing a tour such as the Great Divide Route, your best choices are either BOB or the Extrawheel…although the Maya looks good too. (that must be new on the market, never heard of it!)
Bob,
Thanks for mentioning the Bike Friday Trailer. I knew I was going to forget that one. haha!
However, because the Bike Friday Travel Trailer is really just a BicycleR Evolution trailer with a Samsonite suitcase mounted on top of it, I have decided to list the BicycleR Evolution trailer on this list instead of the Bike Friday version of this trailer. (Is that okay? Does that make sense?)
But for those who are interested, you can order a very similar trailer from Bike Friday. The difference is that it has a suitcase on top of it instead of the ice chest type of thing that is currently used on the top of the BicycleR Evolution trailer.
Jimbo, I’ve added the Nashbar trailers to the list as well. Thank you!
Bike Trailer Blog has a complete list of trailers with links here:
The Bike Trailer List: Bike Cargo Trailers
http://biketrailerblog.com/2009/03/the-bike-trailer-list-bike-cargo-trailers/
What about Wicycle? Either their large cargo trailer, or the DIY trailer. Don’t have one, but they look as good or better than the ones you listed.
Let’s try leaving the link for wicycle again:
http://www.wicycle.com/
I thought you folks might get a kick out of this…
[IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y286/wdnnsb/biketrailer.jpg[/IMG]
That first link does not seem to work, lets try this one, just copy and paste to see the picture.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y286/wdnnsb/biketrailer.jpg
Can you recommend any of the trailers listed that will work with a Bike Friday Bike other than their suitcase? I own a Pocket Lama.
Thanks,
Hi Darren,
Well done for your great site.
Thought you may be interested to include the Aevon range of mono trailers http://www.aevo.eu.
Also the Oxtail range. They have a unique high attachment to maintain rear wheel suspension, unlike most axel attachments http://www.oxtailbicyletrailers.com
May I suggest in the future you may like to consider polarising the trailers into mono trailers and dual trailers (i.e. single wheel for off road trekking and dual wheel for road touring/general)
Keep up the good work.
Steve (UK)
Correction to Steve’s links:
http://www.aevon-trailers.com/2009/?lang=en
http://www.oxtailbicycletrailers.com/trailer.html
Cycletote.com A small company that hand builds trailers in Colorado out of Aluminum. They use a two wheeled design with full sized wheels to match your bikes. They have a unique hitch design that attaches to the seatpost. Check em out if you like supporting American.
Hello I use a BOB Yak from 2000 until now, never use another brand. I like a lot this trailer because, I forgot, I am travel whit 40 kg of things. I try panniers but it´s more dificult to role. I ride more than 5000 km whit my BOB. (you must sorry my bad english)
Rui
I’ve used three of the trailers you picture; the BOB Yak, the Quik-Pak (an early version), and the Burley Nomad during tours totalling over 6,000 miles. All worked well for me, although some of my touring companions found the Nomad created some instability at speed. The two wheel trailers (all but the BOB) were less twitchy, not influencing the bike performance at all, and were easier to load, unload, and wheel around in the campground. The BOB puts a little more weight on the back wheel, but most likely results in less wind resistance and rolling resistance; it also is better if you are on a trail. My favorite trailer has been the Burley Nomad, since it is so easy to break down into a flat package. My friend Piero and I have towed the Burleys on two tours and loaded them in their bags on Amtrak with our boxed bikes for a return to Seattle with no problems.
Here is a very interesting bike trailer. http://www.koolstop.com/trailers/mule.html
http://www.koolstop.com/trailers/beast.html
Correction:
In my comments I meant to say some people found the BOB trailer to be unstable at speed, not the Nomad. The two wheel trailers are more stable.
[...] are two options for carrying your gear – a trailer or panniers. Getting into which is better often turns into a religious war, so, to put my opinion [...]
I suggest that you include the CycleTote trailer. Lifetime guarantee, full size wheels, convenient hitch, and strong as an ox. It is adaptable for all sorts of uses, from touring, to kids, even to carrying a 6’4″ 250 pound adult.
The Aevon trailer is currently the most stable trailer… on the road and off-road. It is very strong too!
=> http://www.aevon-trailers.com
Aevon is good, but the price is not so good.
Hi Darren, here’s a link for a trailer that’s available in several sizes. I have used mine aroud town & find it very handy as it folds down almost flat. What really surprised me was the cost – about $100. u.s. The weight may be a little high for touring but I really haven’t had any problem towing it locally. / Glen
http://www.aosom.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=29
The OXTAIL TRAILER should be in your list. It has the sort of simplicity and adaptability which has made the bicycle such a classic. Find it here:
http://www.oxtailbicycletrailers.com/
Hello I use a BOB yak For 10 years. For me Ít´s the best thing to travel and to use in the day to day.
Rui
Thanks for the post of the New Maya Cycle. The website is http://www.mayacycle.com. We are also giving some away when you sign up for the Revolution of Cycling Blog at http://mayacycle.web2.hubspot.com
[...] Bicycle Touring Trailers [...]
Hi, I like your site
I wanted to let you know that we have started a small trailer fabrication business here in Santa Cruz CA. The trailers are single wheel of my own design and the product of years of testing. We do all the fabrication and sewing in house and source U.S. made materials as much as possible. Take a look
http://www.fftouring.com
thanks
Quentin
I”ve considered buying a trailer, but generally have decided against it. Can’t picture
me raising the trailer 20 ft off the ground, between two trees, in an effort to keep my
food away from bears and such. So I used panniers when I bicycled to the Arctic
Circle and when I bicycled across the USA.
This coming summer I will bicycle from my home in Denver to Niagara Falls (on the
Canadian side}. I ride a mountain bike with water-proof panniers. I”m 79 yrs young. Am 5’8″ now, but used to be 6’5″, an shrinking a bit. Ha,ha,ha.
the cargo bin trailer with cover is excellent for touring. Light, aerodynamic and smooth.
Look at the Equinox Cargo Trailer. It looks alot like to OLD Burley Cargo Trailer from the ’90′s. It is pricey but it looks well made here in the USA
I recently purchased the Aosom Cargo Trailer from Amazon.com. It frame and botton of the trailer is steel. Weighs about 35 lbs. The interior space is about the same as my old Burley Cargo Trailer (not the new Nomad from Burley)
Check out the Burley Travoy Trailer:
http://www.burley.com/home/bur/page_416_317/travoysupregsup.html
I have been very impressed with Farfarer’s second generation trailer that I recently purchased. It is a uniquely styled single wheeled trailer that weighs less than 10lb. It is seatpost mounted for stability with a QR at the seatpost and a QR wheel. It also breaks down small enough to ship with your bike. t doesn’t come with a drybag, but that wasn’t an issue for me since I already had the bag.
fftouring.com . .