Do you spend a lot of time riding around on two wheels? If you’re an avid cyclist or even just a casual bicycle rider, there will inevitably come a time when you’d like to carry a bunch of stuff with you.
That’s where a bike cargo trailer comes in handy. These wonderful little trailers attach to your bicycle frame, following you where you go. No more having to wear a heavy backpack, wearing out your shoulders, while you pedal along.
If you are ready to increase your carrying capacity while you ride, bike trailers are the easiest and largest way to do so. But with different types of trailers, there are a few things to consider when choosing a bike cargo trailer.
Keep reading to find out what you can do with cargo trailers and how to pick the right one for your cycling needs.
What are Bike Trailers Used For?
Bike trailers Are usually connected to your frame where your rear wheel attaches to your bike. They come with two wheels and follow your bike wherever you go. The performance and function of your bike it largely unaffected by the trailer, however, you will notice the additional weight behind you as you pedal.
You’ll need to make wider, slower turns when pulling a road or mountain bike cargo trailer, but you get used to it very quickly, and soon you’ll forget it’s even there.
Different styles of bike trailers are available, and cyclists use them in many different ways. Here are some of the most common uses.
Leisurely Rides
Want to bike to a local park for a picnic? Pack all your lunch essentials in the trailer, and you’re good to go.
Want to ride your bikes down to the beach, and spend a day playing in the sun and the water? A cargo trailer lets you bring towels, snacks, sand toys, and anything else you need for a fulfilling day at the beach.
Commuting to Work
Want to get to work without having to pay to fill your gas tank every week? Cycling to work provides you with fresh air, sunshine, and exercise every day.
But some jobs require you to bring tons of equipment to the workplace. With a cargo trailer, bringing all your work essentials is easy to do.
Groceries and Other Errands
Many people use bike trailers for the purpose of transporting other types of cargo. For example, if you ride your bike to the grocery store, you can fit all of your groceries in the trailer.
A bike trailer opens up the possibility to live car-free, or at least rely a lot less on motor vehicles, saving a lot of money on gas.
Bikepacking or Bike Touring
Bikepacking and bike touring are two sports growing in popularity. If you carry enough gear with you on your bike, you can travel for days, if not weeks or months at a time.
Your bike trailer can carry all of your camping gear, food, and water with you as you go. Or, in the case of bike touring, you may be staying in bed and breakfasts or hotels as you travel. The trailer lets you bring along extra clothes and other belongings you’ll need on a long trip.
What to Consider When Choosing a Bike Cargo Trailer
Now that you know what you can do with a bike trailer, it’s time to start looking for a bike cargo trailer for sale. Here are the most important factors to consider when shopping around.
Type of Bike Trailer
Bicycle cargo trailers can be made of different materials. Some have metal bars that function as a wall. These offer extra security, as you can strap your cargo to the bars, ensuring it doesn’t shift or fall out on bumpy roads. But the metal construction makes them a bit heavier to pull.
Some trailers are made of cloth or nylon. These are lighter and easier to pull further distances. But they may be less ideal for heavier, or more expensive cargo.
Soft trailers usually have removable covers on them. Keep it closed to prevent your cargo from bouncing out, or from getting wet in rainy conditions. Or leave it open so you can place taller items inside.
Size of Bike Trailer
Bike trailers come in different sizes. If you plan on using your cargo trailer for groceries or other large loads, you’ll want to invest in a larger trailer, so you only need to make one trip to the store.
But if you plan to use it for smaller loads, consider getting a smaller trailer, which is lighter and easy to bring along with you. Plus, once at home or the office, smaller trailers are easier to store.
Weight Rating
Depending on the size and materials of the trailer, it may be capable of handling different loads. Many trailers, including the ones available on Aosom, are capable of handling loads weighing a maximum of 88 lbs.
If you plan on bringing heavier loads, you may need to invest in a heavier duty cargo trailer, which is going to be very heavy to travel with.
Also, consider the weight of the trailer itself. Small, lightweight trailers can weigh as little as 15 lbs, while larger ones are closer to 30.
Wheels
Different trailers will have different-sized wheels and different tires. Depending on which you choose, your trailer may perform better on the pavement or on the dirt.
Smaller, thinner wheels will do well on city roads or paved trails. If you plan to take your trailer on dirt or gravel roads, you’ll want larger, thicker tires capable of remaining stable on uneven surfaces.
Portability
Unfortunately, you probably won’t be using your bike trailer all day, every day. That means that when it’s not in use, you’re going to have to store it somewhere.
Many modern cargo trailers are easy to fold down, so you can store them anywhere, including the garage or in the trunk of your car. If you have limited storage space at home, consider the folded dimensions of the trailer you plan to buy, to ensure you have enough space to keep it.
Attaching the Trailer to Your Bicycle
Most trailers use a type A bike hitch to fasten to your bike. This means it screws onto your rear wheel. This keeps the trailer’s connection low and away from your bike.
Certain cargo racks, however, connect to the seat post. This higher connection point might get in the way of existing bike racks or saddlebags connect to the rear of your saddle. But these generally offer better handling.
When choosing a trailer, make sure the attachment type will work well with your current bike setup.
Buying the Best Bike Cargo Trailer
Now that you know what type of trailers are available, it’s time to select the right one for you. At Aosom.com, we carry a number of different bike cargo trailers. Here are some of the most popular.
Aosom Elite II Bike Cargo And Luggage Trailer
The Elite II bike trailer is the most popular trailer that we offer. The durable base is made of metal and is topped with an oxford cloth enclosure.
You can easily remove the top cover to insert cargo, then replace it to protect it from weather or keep it from falling out. When it gets dirty, you can take the cover off and wash it.
The material also makes it very packable. And quick-release wheels make it easy to store this trailer anywhere when you aren’t pulling it around.
This trailer uses a Type A bike hitch, connecting to your rear wheel. This allows you to continue using your existing bike rack.
The Elite II trailer has 20″ wheels and can carry up to 88 lbs of cargo The trailer itself weighs 36.4 lbs. This trailer is perfect for those riding around the city, and want something to carry groceries, run errands or get to work and back.
Aosom Elite Bicycle Cargo Trailer
The Elite cargo trailer is a simplified version of the Elite II. It’s lighter, weighing only 28.6 lbs. And it has smaller wheels, measuring 16″ across.
It also features a smaller storage space, making this better suited to those only needed to carry smaller amounts of cargo, such as work or school supplies. It also works great for picnics and other outdoor adventures.
Aosom Multi-Functional Internal Frame Enclosed Bicycle Cargo Trailer
This small but mighty trailer connects to your seat post, rather than the rear wheel. This allows it to be used on both standard and electric bikes.
It offers the smallest storage capacity, but given that it only weighs 22 lbs, it may be ideal for those embarking on longer journeys. If you have your gear dialed in, and you don’t need lots of extra space, this durable, packable trailer is a great option.
You can even remove the storage compartment and use it as a flatbed trailer.
Aosom Folding Bike Cargo Trailer Cart with Seat Post Hitch
Looking for an all-metal cargo trailer? This folding bike trailer features a steel frame to keep cargo secure. Each steel bar is also removable, which makes it easier to transport large or irregularly shaped objects.
This heavy-duty trailer is capable of carrying any type of load. It works great for those carrying work supplies to and from job sites, or for those working as bike couriers.
Order Your New Bike Trailer Today
Using a bike cargo trailer, you can make your dreams of riding your bicycle every day a reality. With the added storage capacity, you’ll no longer need to rely on a car or a bus. You’ll be more self-sufficient than ever before.
On top of making environmentally-friendly decisions, you’ll get plenty more exercise, making for a healthier lifestyle as well.
And the best place to order your new cargo trailer is right here on Aosom.com. We have a wide selection of trailers available, and they all ship free. Not only that, but we offer a 30-day return window if the trailer isn’t perfect for you.
Order your trailer today so you can start spending more time on your bike tomorrow.