Bike Trailers for Kids - How To Choose The Best One?
For several years, bike trailers for kids have been gaining great popularity among active parents. Choosing a bicycle trailer for a child is not an easy matter.
There are several dozens models of bicycle trailers on the market. A long time ago I found out that there is no perfect trailer that will be the best in all categories. That’s why I wrote this article – to look at all the things that are important when choosing the right bike trailer for kids.
When choosing a bicycle trailer for a child, let us be guided primarily by the needs of the child, and then by what we, the parents, need.
Bike Trailers For Kids - 5 Things Important For Your Child
1. Safety
Feeling safe, meaning comfortable and secure sitting, comfortable seat belts, the ability to put on a bike helmet for a child.
2. Comfortable Seat
Your Kid needs to have the ability to travel comfortably, sleep in a comfortable position (because sooner or later they will fall asleep)
3. Protection Against The Weather
Your Kid needs to protected from rain, sun, wind, but also from mosquitos and other insects. Also it’s important that the floor of the trailer is water resistant (we don’t want our kid to sit on a wet floor).
4. Cargo Space
Ability to take favorite toys with you and also food or drinks or any other accessories that might be useful during a longer trip (btw – we have the entire guide to biking with baby carrier, here)
5. View
Your kid should have the ability to see the world while sitting and lying down. In the end it’s all about being close to the nature, enjoy the views and have some family bonding time while on a cycling trip.
Bike Trailers For Kids - 5 Things Important For Parents
1. Weight
The lighter the better – from 17 lb to 34 lb. Especially important for a parent who is to transport two little ones, or for parents who are going on a longer bicycle trip.
2. Trunk Capacity
The berfect bike trailer for kids must accommodate at least basic accessories – diapers, toys, clothes, food, etc.
3. Safety
Being sure that your Child is safe. Having the ability to mount a flag, a reflector, stability of the trailer while cycling and having appropriate approvals and certifications (e.g. American ASTM).
4. Size
Pay attention to width and length, the ability to carry in a car, pass through the door at home and in the elevator.
5. Possibility to transport even small children
Some of the bike trailers for kids have the possibility to transform into a pushchair. These are appropriate for even small kids are a great ideas for active parents – for example if you cycle and run with your kid, you should schould check those out.
Bike Trailers for Kids - So What Should You Choose?
The answer to this question is not easy. First of all, let’s think about how we want to use it? Will we only need a bicycle trailer or will we need to transform it into a stroller or jogging stroller?
Bike Trailers for Kids that Transform into Walking or Running Stroller
Our Friends and Family prefer the bike trailers that transform into stroller. While my friends use the running version mainly during hiking trips in difficult terrain (mountains, beach, hiking in the forest) I’ve been trying to convince them to try the walking version for a city-sightseeing-trips.
From experience, I can say that walking versions of the strollers work well in the city, on beaten roads, also forest roads, generally on hard ground.
On the other hand, on sandy roads, with large stones, ruts, e.g. caused by freezing and thawing, running sets work perfectly, but they are worse in the walking function (especially in the city, when you have to turn and maneuver often) – trailers with such sets are much longer, and their wheels are then non-steering.
To summarize – best bike trailers have the option to use it as stroller for walking or running. You take running version if you cycle in more difficult terrain, and walking version if you’re more of an urban cyclist.
Water Resistant Bike Trailers for Kids
When choosing a trailer, we should also pay attention to its resistance to various weather conditions
Will we travel regardless of the weather? Then it is worth considering the purchase of the Nordic Cab Explorer with a floor made of waterproof plastic. After purchasing a raincover, it is a weatherproof vehicle. Trailers made of not very resistant material or without any waterproof cover from the bottom, rather get wet from the bottom (but not on children’s seats) and can take some time to dry
Qeridoo, Burley and Thule Chariot are great protection against rain from the ground.
Qeridoo Kidgoo1 Sport 2020 Child Bike Trailer for Toddlers, Single Seater, Kids, 3-in-1 Cover, 5-Point Seat Belt, Adjustable Height (Grey)
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03/07/2024 06:38 pm GMT
In terms of waterproofing, Qeridoo also perform well – from the bottom protected with foil and a rigid plate, and the sheathing is made of a solid material. Some cyclists, however, buy a rain cover, and this is because sometimes, due to heavy rainfall, water gets inside between the front rain cover and the cover.
The issue of waterproofing is the most important when we will ride for a week with panniers, under a tent and there will be no place to dry the trailer. When we go on short trips and return home to lodging, in my opinion it is not that important. Often who take trailers on pilgrimages also emphasize waterproofness as an important argument when choosing a trailer.
Value For Money
BURLEY Design Bee, 2 Seat, Lightweight, Kids Bike-Only Trailer, Yellow (946203)
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Full waterproofing from the bottom is also provided by the Burley Cub, Burley Cub X and Thule Chariot Cab 2 trailers. They have a plastic bathtub (bottom of the trailer), which also makes them great trailers for people who plan long trips regardless of the weather.
Amortization and a large trunk make them also suitable for off-road – maybe they won’t make the child feel no shocks at all, but they will be much more comfortable. In my opinion, 99% of people will not use the full possibilities offered by the plastic bottom. The plastic bottom also increases the weight of the trailer.
The Thule Chariot Cab 2 has a full-length plastic floor and ample storage space. It is worth remembering, however, that the result of this solution is the greater weight of this trailer compared to comparable trailers (without a plastic bottom), a less “sporty” shape, which makes it a bit worse as a jogging stroller.
Great Choice
Thule Chariot Cross Multisport Trailer & Stroller, Double
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$1,299.95
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03/07/2024 05:54 pm GMT
It is also worth getting rain covers, but if you plan to ride regardless of the weather. Thanks to them, our children will not be wet even after a long rain. Most of the caravans can even withstand heavy rain – most of us are looking for shelter from the rain anyway during the trip, but it is known that sometimes it is impossible to hide.
Generally – all trailers protect children well from the rain. They are not in danger of getting wet from below, because they sit on raised seats that are separated from the floor anyway. And the waterproofness of the floor is the most important for trips lasting several days. In weekend use, I wouldn’t pay much attention to it
Trailer Shock Absorbers
Will we travel on dirt roads, gravel roads, forest roads, uneven roads, etc.? In this case, it is worth considering the option of a trailer with shock absorbers, e.g. Burley D’lite, Thule Cross, Qeridoo
The depreciation improves the child’s travel comfort, it also allows us to cover the uneven route faster and not to worry about the child as soon as we are on a worse surface (it gives parents some psychological comfort, which can be described as – “I provided them with cushioning, they should be comfortable, I’m not worried so much about those forest or rocky roads”). The option of a trailer with shock absorption is the best solution if you do not want to limit yourself to riding on asphalt and bicycle paths.
Remember, however, you can also drive without depreciation. The depreciation improves driving comfort – for the carrier (mental), and in particular for the transported! In my opinion, however, this is not a necessary condition.
How important is the comfort of children to us? Remember that we buy a trailer so that we can spend time actively with children. So they must feel good in it. What bothers them most? Difficulty in falling asleep – e.g. the seat is too vertical, shocks , sun (sunscreens are great).
Ventilation
Interior ventilation – useful on hot days (more important when it’s warm and raining – because then we close all covers). Let’s pay attention to this when choosing a trailer, ask the seller about which trailer and how it provides ventilation. Let him explain, tell us, or maybe he has his own experience with it? In general, however, I would not regard this criterion as extremely important.
YOUR CHILD'S SAFETY COMES FIRST
Returning to the topic of safety, it is worth mentioning that each trailer has a durable structure that additionally protects our child in the event of an accident. The advantage is also the ball hitch, which has most branded trailers.
It reduces the risk of the trailer tipping over to the side in the event of a fall of the driving parent – this is where the advantage of trailers over car seats is revealed. Some models of trailers allow you to take two children. For a parent, it is one of the few options for comfortable and safe taking two kids “on a classic bike”.
Disadvantages of Bike Trailers for Kids
Storage first. The size of bicycle trailers is not the smallest. This can be a problem for people who live in smaller apartments. Some models can be folded to a relatively compact size, but they will still take up a lot of valuable space in our doorsteps. In addition, carrying a heavy bicycle trailer up the stairs is a chore. Another important thing is… the price.
We will pay even over USD 1,000 for a very good quality bicycle trailer. For some people, this may be an insurmountable barrier. The cheapest decent models start at around $400. Before buying, it is best to see the trailer live and check if it meets our requirements. The last problem for city dwellers may be the issue of curbs and fitting between posts and in other tight places.
Driving with a trailer can be problematic in a big city, when we have to squeeze through crowds of pedestrians and struggle with many infrastructural obstacles. Despite the fact that more and more bicycle paths are being created in our cities, this should be taken into account. However, trailers will work great outside the city and on less busy routes.
It is also worth being aware that bicycle trailers are naturally heavier than car seats, which can be felt while driving. This means that during the climbs we will have to pull more weight behind us. Bicycle trailers sometimes also give a jerking effect when driving, and pushing when braking.
What else to check when buying bike trailer for your kid?
Finally, it is worth mentioning the point seat belts that all models are equipped with. They should have a friendly fastening system so that the child feels comfortable in them and the parent has no problem fastening them.
Seat belts should be made of wide tapes, preferably with additional sponges for the shoulders, so that they do not cut into the child’s body and thus do not cause discomfort and even abrasions in extreme cases.
Despite the fact that our children are well protected in trailers, they should have they must wear a helmet that will protect them in the event of unforeseen situations. If we are going to travel on bumpy areas, pay attention to the shock-absorption system.
Based on all the opinions of kids and parents within my family and friends circle, I can safely recommend trailers from brands such as Thule, Qeridoo or Burley. As for the choice of model, you have to decide for yourself which one you choose, you will know best in what conditions, terrain you will be riding, you also know best what budget you have for the purchase.
Prices for branded trailers start at around $450 but can go much higher, e.g. $1500 and I do not recommend to go for a cheap options as they might not be safe and comfortable for your kid. At least me and my family and friends have not found a cheap trailer that would tick all our requirements.