Best Bike Cargo Trailer – Review And Guide
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- Best Overall
- Aosom Elite II Bike Cargo and Luggage Trailer
- Quick release
- Simple fold down
- Removable top cover
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- Premium Choice
- Schwinn Day Tripper Cargo Bike Trailer
- Universal coupler
- 16 inch wheels
- 1 year warranty
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- Great Value
- Burley Coho XC Cargo Bike Trailer
- Removable side panels
- Hitch system included
- Adjustable kickstand
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Are you an avid cyclist who is in need for some extra storage space to help you carry heavy items with ease while you ride around town and beyond? We’ve got the perfect solution!
A bike cargo trailer is a handy tool that gives you the space and carrying capacity that you need. Whether it’s a work trailer to tow around essential supplies, or a camper trailer that you can use for carrying tents and coolers, we have plenty of suitable options for you to choose from.
Plus, there’s also a detailed buyer’s guide that answers all the questions you are bound to have when it comes to choosing and buying the best bike cargo trailer for you.
Contents
Top Bike Cargo Trailers
Take a look at our top ten picks for the best bike cargo trailers that can help you lug around your things with ease, so you can conveniently run errands and go on exciting trips:
Aosom Elite II Bike Cargo and Luggage Trailer
For our top pick, we have the Aosom elite II, the perfect bike cart for running errands, carrying supplies, and more. It features an Oxford cloth basket in plain black and red that is not only durable and water resistant, but is also easy to remove and wash.
And, it gives you plenty of space for groceries and other knick knacks, while the removable cover protects your belongings and keeps them secure while riding. This wagon is made of a durable solid steel metal base that is easy to assemble and fold down, and comes with a type A hitch, so it quickly and easily attaches to most types of bike frames.
All in all, it’s an excellent cargo trailer for bikes that is sure to give you the best value for your money.
- Quick release 20 inch wide wheels
- Simple fold down for easy storage
- Removable top cover included
- Type A bike hitch and connector included
Specs:
Capacity: 88 lbs
Weight: 36.4 lbs
Schwinn Day Tripper Cargo Bike Trailer
Our next best pick is an Amazon’s Choice product when it comes to bicycle trailers, and it’s made by a popular brand for all things bikes. The Schwinn day tripper is a two wheel trailer that delivers maximum performance and stability by limiting your torque.
It features a wide foldable frame that gives you plenty of storage and towing capacity, enabling you to take your gear and more along with you for the ride. Plus, it’s designed with interior D rims to help hold down your cargo and keep it secure throughout your ride.
With this one, you’re assured of an easy one time installation with a coupler that works on almost any bicycle, as well as a limited one year warranty.
- Amazon’s Choice product
- Available in gray with red or yellow cover
- Quick release 16 inch wheels
- Folding frame for compact storage
- Universal coupler included
- 1 year limited warranty
Specs:
Capacity: 100 lbs
Weight: 24.2 lbs
Burley Coho XC Suspension Cargo Bike Trailer
Next up is a single wheel wagon engineered with a coil spring suspension that is specifically designed to reduce stress and increase stabilization, so you can ride smoothly and easily on almost any terrain.
It has a unique hitching system that includes a dual ball hitch and an adjustable width yoke, making it easy to install and remove, and versatile enough to fit a variety of frames and hubs. Moreover, the cam locks can also be released quickly with a single hand release handle.
And to top it all off, it comes with a height adjustable kickstand that keeps both your bike and trailer upright and steady as you load and unload your cargo.
- One wheel trailer with removable side panels
- Quick release cam locks
- Burley Balls dual ball hitch system included
- Height adjustable kickstand included
Specs:
Capacity: 70 lbs
Weight: 21.5 lbs
Aosom Wanderer Bicycle Cart Wagon
Here’s another Aosom wagon (pardon the pun) that is durable, foldable, and most of all, heavy duty. The Aosom Wanderer has the capacity to carry a whopping 110 lbs, far exceeding its competitors when it comes to double wheeled carts.
This bicycle cart has a detachable front and back, as well as foldable sides, which are made of sturdy and durable steel, so you can easily load and carry larger and longer items such as folding tents, logs, and more.
Meanwhile, the bottom is made of strengthened PE, so you don’t have to worry about towing around heavy weights. It also comes with a universal hitch that easily attaches to most bike frames.
- Heavy duty two wheel bike trailer
- Detachable front and back, folding sides
- Universal bike hitch included
Specs:
Capacity: 110 lbs
Weight: 22 lbs
Burley Travoy Compact Commuting Cargo Trailer
This cargo bike trailer by Burley Design is a unique slanting trailer with an open frame, perfect for those looking for a simple and lightweight trailer to carry and transport cargo such as groceries and whatnot.
Its weighted bar rack slants at a 45 degree angle which distributes weight evenly, and is designed to attach to your bike’s seat post with an easy to attach hitch and flex connector. It also comes with a tote bag and tie down straps to easily and safely pack up your belongings.
Plus, it’s also designed with twist grips that make it easy to release the wheels and fold the trailer to a briefcase sized package within seconds.
- Available in black, gray, cool grey, and yellow
- Fitted with 12 inch push button wheels
- Tote bag and tie down straps included
- Compatible with 25 to 32 mm seatposts
- Comes with 8 accessories (spare hitch, clips, straps, bags, and rain fly)
Specs:
Capacity: 60 lbs
Weight: 9.8 lbs
Burley Nomad Cargo Trailer
Another excellent bike wagon by Burley Design is the Burley Nomad, which is a more heavy duty option with a larger carrying capacity and a more stable tracking. It’s designed with a collapsible inner space divider and large mesh pockets to keep your things organized on the go.
It also comes with interior tie down clips for a more safe and secure towing and riding, as well as a bright yellow water resistant cover to protect your belongings from the rain, mud, and snow. And if you need more space and load capacity, you can get the Burley Nomad with an extra cargo rack that slides right in and out.
This two wheeled trailer is fitted with a Burley hitch system that attaches to most bike frames, and is made to fold down easily and quickly for easy storage and transport.
- Designed with fixed and collapsible organizers
- Waterproof cover and tie down clips included
- Burley hitch included
- Can be purchased with an extra cargo rack
Specs:
Capacity: 100 lbs
Weight: 17.5 lbs
Burley Flatbed Utility Cargo Bike Trailer
If you like the quality and durability that Burley Design offers, but prefer a simpler and more versatile design for a bike trailer, you might want to try their flatbed wagon. It’s a simple black wagon made of a lightweight and durable aluminum frame that’s ready for the long haul.
Its open platform is a charm on its own, since it allows you to carry a wide range of cargo in varying sizes and shapes, from coolers, firewood, tents, and more. If you’re worried about security, its design makes it easy to attach straps, clips, and covers.
It’s also quick and easy to assemble and disassemble, especially with its quick release wheels that can be removed with a push of a button. Afterwards, you may simply fold the frame down flat for convenient storage and transport.
- Two wheel open frame trailer
- Quick release 16 inch wheels
- Standard forged hitch and flex connector included
- Can be purchased with a dry bag and a cargo bungee net
Specs:
Capacity: 100 lbs
Weight: 14.2 lbs
Aosom Elite Bicycle Cargo Trailer
We also have here the original version of our top pick, the Aosom Elite II. It’s also a double wheel trailer with a top loading cargo compartment and a side attachment, but it’s somewhat simpler and looks slightly more durable.
It’s designed with a silver metal steel base that’s easy to assemble and fold down after use, an Oxford cloth cover that is removable, washable, water resistant, and durable, and can carry a maximum load of 88 pounds.
What makes it different from the Elite II is that this one is designed with a black and yellow cover, smaller 16 inch wheels, and a lighter frame and overall trailer weight.
- Quick release 16 inch wide wheels
- Simple fold down for easy storage
- Removable top cover included
- Type A bike hitch and connector included
Specs:
Capacity: 88 lbs
Weight: 28.6 lbs
BOB Yak Plus Bike Trailer with Dry Sak
Here is another single wheel cargo wagon that is lightweight and dependable. The BOB Yak Plus by BOB Gear is a stable and aerodynamic trailer that is designed to easily attach to almost any bike wheel, including solid axle hubs and suspension bikes.
While it’s lightweight, it can accommodate relatively large and heavy cargo with its open frame design. Although, if protection and security is what you’re after, you’ll be happy to know that this also comes with a waterproof Dry Sak.
Moreover, for your maximum safety, this trailer comes with lots of extra accessories that keep your belongings secure and increase your visibility on the road.
- One wheel open frame trailer
- Waterproof cargo bag included
- BOB Quick Release or BOB Nutz system hitch included
- Comes with accessories (spare pins, bungee, fender, reflectors, and flags)
Specs:
Capacity: 70 lbs
Weight: 8.64 lbs
Wike Heavy Duty Flatbed Bike Trailer
Last but not the least is a two wheeled open frame trailer by Wike. This heavy duty bike wagon is made of lightweight but durable aluminum, from the frame and floor, down to the rims. That’s along with a hard plastic flooring designed to provide extra protection for your belongings. This is a great option if you need to lug around heavy cargo, such as dog kennels and lawnmowers.
The frame is also easily removable without much effort, enabling you to fold the trailer down flat for a hassle free and low profile storage. In fact, the wheels can also be removed easily with the push of a button.
It’s designed with a quick hitch that lets you attach the trailer to your bike, and comes with two reflectors on the rear to help increase your visibility and keep you safe on the road.
- Removable frame on all sides
- Quick release 20 inch wheels
- Quick hitch included
- Two backside reflectors included
Specs:
Capacity: 125 lbs
Weight: 23.9 lbs
What to consider when buying a bike cargo trailer
As you’ve seen from our list of top picks when it comes to bike cargo trailers, they are available in a wide variety of styles, sizes, and shapes, and offer lots of extra features. And while this sounds exciting, it’s also what makes it hard to choose the right bicycle wagon for you.
To help you make the right decision, here are the most important things you need to consider when buying a bike cargo trailer:
Single-wheel vs double-wheel
The first thing you need to decide on is whether you need a one wheel or two wheel trailer, since this will determine what options you have.
A double wheel trailer gives you the best possible stability and weight balancing, making it easy to haul around heavy weights. They are also somewhat heavier, since they have two wheels instead of one.
Although, a bike wagon with 1 wheel gives you the versatility and mobility that you’ll need if you’re riding on rough terrains such as off road paths and mountain trails. It’s just much harder to balance, so you need to account for that as well.
Bicycle Cargo trailer cover
The next thing you’ll notice is that a bike trailer may either be an open frame type or an enclosed case. Open trailers are typically designed to carry larger and longer cargo, and often come with a carrying bag, strap, or some other form of wagon attachment to place your cargo in and keep it secure.
On the other hand, enclosed cargo trailers are usually made from durable cloth materials, and feature a removable cargo trailer cover to keep your belongings safe and protect them from the elements, especially rain and mud.
When buying a bicycle wagon, it’s best to opt for one that already comes with a cover, and make sure that the cover is water resistant and washable.
Capacity
You also need to take into account what sort of materials you’ll most likely place on the bike wagon, since this should tell you how much load capacity you will be needing for safely and effectively hauling your cargo.
A typical utility trailer gives you a load capacity of 60 to 90 pounds, more than enough for carrying groceries and school supplies, while heavy duty wagons can carry up to 125 pounds or more without causing possible damage or accident while riding.
One thing you need to expect is that a heavy duty wagon will also weigh heavier, and if you are planning to regularly shoulder heavy weights, perhaps it’s best to forego a bicycle altogether.
Weight
How much the cycle trailer itself weighs is also important, especially since you will be attaching it to your bicycle, so you will need to exert extra leg power in pedalling to move forward. Think of it this way- you’re already carrying heavy cargo, so you don’t want the trailer to add to the weight.
An aluminum frame will be lightweight yet durable. What you want here is the total product weight to be less than twenty pounds. Moreover, it’s also essential that the trailer be portable, so it’s easy to carry and store when not in use. You’ll find a lot of foldable bike trailers out there, so look for one that folds most compact, and with quick release wheels.
Remember, a light and easy to carry trailer is best, especially if you want to be able to ride at relatively high speeds even while carrying heavy loads.
Road conditions
Of course, where you will be riding your bike with the trailer attached also matters. As we have mentioned earlier, this should help you determine whether you need a single wheel or double wheel cargo trailer.
For example, a commuter bike will do well with a standard two wheel trailer for riding on pavement, while a mountain bike or an off road bike requires a one wheel trailer to be able to traverse rough paths. Or, if you’re riding on, say beach sand, you might need a special type of wheels for the cargo wagon.
Here’s a tip for you. When riding on rough roads and uneven terrain, you will greatly benefit from extra straps, pins, and covers to keep your cargo secure and protected from dust and dirt.
Usage
More than the road condition of where you’re planning to use the cargo trailer on, what you will be using it for is also important to take into account. We’ve discussed earlier that bike trailers generally come in two different designs, namely, open and enclosed.
The best option for you, if you will be doing a lot of outdoor tasks such as hunting, wood cutting, and the like, is an open trailer with foldable or detachable walls to carry your large items. Although, if you just need a cargo wagon for general purposes, a fixed size enclosed one will do just fine.
And then, there are other types of trailers for carrying kids and pets, as well as much larger alternatives, such as a tent trailer, although these are for larger vehicles like camper vans.
Overview
Having a reliable bike cargo trailer can be a great benefit in making your bike rides easier and giving your bicycle lots of added purpose. With the right cargo trailer, you can tow around heavy items with ease, while still being environmentally friendly by opting to use your bike.
Just make sure to choose wisely and take into account all the important factors when it comes to buying a bicycle trailer, so you can get the most value for your money with a cargo trailer that you can use for as many times as possible, and for a long time to come.