If you want to transport larger items that won’t fit easily on a rack on your bike, then using a trailer can be a huge advantage. It’s also handy if you want your young kid to be able to come out on bike rides with you.
Sometimes traditional bike trailers can be confused with the less commonly utilized motorized trailers that are often referred to as ‘Pushers’. Pushers, which also hitch to the back of the bike, have been created to generate electrical compulsion.
This article will explain the differences between standard e-bike trailers and Pushers in more detail, along with providing recommendations for some of the best options on the market.
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Best eBike Trailer Quick-Find Table
Electric Bike Trailers
Reviews of the Best Electric Bike Cargo Trailers
Bike Pushers / Powered Bike Trailers
Best eBike Trailer Quick-Find Table
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Electric Bike Trailers
It’s rare to find trailers specifically for e-bikes unless they’re ones manufactured for particular bike brands. For example, they’re available for hunting-style e-bikes to allow riders to bring back their large, heavy quarry.
Standard bike trailers can work fine for e-bikes, but it’s important to make sure they’ll work for the style you have. Most models hitch onto the rear wheel of the bike. You’ll need to check that the hitch will be able to attach to the width of the wheel axle you have.
You should also be aware that if a rear hub motor powers your bike, this can sometimes prevent the trailer from being hooked up properly by this type of attachment.
Some standard bike trailers aren’t designed to handle the high speeds that can be generated by electric bikes. You’ll need to look for one that is robust, well-constructed and it’ll be a bonus if it has suspension and decent tires.
And don’t forget that dragging a trailer will also sap your bikes battery much more quickly, particularly if the load is heavy. Plus, heavy trailers won’t be good for basic e-bikes with small 250w motors.
Reviews of the Best Electric Bike Cargo Trailers
- Trailer Weight: 25lbs
- Max Weight Capacity: 150lbs
- Price: $259
If you have a rear hub motor on your e-bike or you’re worried about whether a trailer will fit on a non-standard wheel axle width, the Rambo e-bike trailer will be a perfect option.
Your bike will need a sturdy and well-fitted rear rack, though, as this is where it attaches to. If you don’t have Rambo’s own rack, it could need a slight modification to allow it to work with this trailer.
For hunters or other cyclists that will be carrying a bulky, large and heavy load, this trailer is a great choice.
It has a very generous 150lb weight capacity and folds down to a more compact size when it isn’t in use. This trailer also has a grab handle that makes it easy to move it around when it isn’t attached to the bike and, at just 25lbs, it isn’t too cumbersome.
You’ll have to be sure you have a sturdy and reliable kickstand on your bike too. If your bike falls over while attached to this rig, it could do a lot of damage to both items.
The strong cover can’t be removed from the trailer to be washed, unfortunately, but it is wipe-clean.
For such a sturdy and versatile trailer, this is priced fairly and offers great value for money. It’s quiet and will handle rough ground with ease and doesn’t create hampering drag when you’re cycling – you still get a very smooth riding experience.
This trailer has been designed to haul game. It doesn’t have sides or a trailer compartment. If you plan to carry smaller, loose items, you’ll need to work out a way to secure these safely.
>> Tap Here to Read More Reviews and See Today’s Price on eBikeGeneration.com <<
- Trailer Weight: 37.8lbs
- Price: $339
Unlike the Rambo Trailer, this one from Quietkat attaches to the rear wheel axle. This means it might not be suited to e-bikes that have a rear hub motor, and instead would work best for mid-drive bikes.
It’s another one that has primarily been designed for hauling catch from a hunting trip, but it’s large capacity and versatile, adjustable build means it can be used for a variety of practical applications.
The trailer has good suspension and large wheels which make it a great choice for off-roading. You still get a really smooth riding experience with this large trailer hitched to the back of your bike.
Quietkat don’t provide details on the maximum weight capacity, but it has taken loads of up to 150lbs with ease.
It’s another design that will require you to strap on loads. There are no side barriers or compartments for items to be stored and, apart from the danger of things falling off, they could also shift while traveling at speed and prevent the tires from spinning.
Similar to the Rambo model, this one from Quietkat, however, is more expensive and it’s heavier too, making it more awkward to move around when not in use.
>> Tap Here to Read More Reviews and See Today’s Price on Amazon.com <<
BEST FOR CITY HAULING
#3. Aosom Double Wheel Internal Frame Enclosed Cargo Trailer
- Trailer Weight: 22.05lbs
- Max Weight Capacity: 88lbs
If you don’t have a rear rack and a rear hub motor powers your electric bike, then this trailer from Aosom could appeal. It attaches to the bike via the seat post.
It’s also handy that it includes a large, sturdy and enclosed box that sits on the main frame of the trailer. This makes it perfect for transporting items in bad weather conditions, and it’ll ensure you can store a multitude of smaller, loose things safely. You’re not going to have to worry about securing them to the frame, losing them or them getting damaged in transit.
The cover that goes over the top of the box is only water-resistant though, so be aware it might not keep everything completely dry if you’re out for a long time in a heavy downpour.
Unlike the Rambo and Quietkat trailers we’ve reviewed, this one hasn’t been designed specifically for off-roading. Plus, although it has a generous 88lb capacity, it isn’t designed for large, bulky and overly heavy loads. It isn’t as quiet when attached to the back of your bike and there’s no suspension or fat tires.
Delicate items are going to get bumped around a lot more, and the manufacturers state that it isn’t built for being used on bikes travelling at high speeds. This trailer will be most practical for carrying things like shopping on gentle, leisurely grocery runs.
>> Tap Here to Read More Reviews and See Today’s Price on Amazon.com <<
BEST FOR KIDS
#4. Instep Bike Trailer for Kids
- Trailer Weight: 22.93lbs (single-seat) / 24.5lbs (double-seat)
- Max Weight Capacity: 40lbs (single-seat)/ 80lbs (double-seat)
Bike trailers are growing in popularity as a way to allow your younger kids to come on adventures with you. Unlike bike seats, you can get trailers that can accommodate two kids – like this one from Instep – and they keep them protected if the weather turns while you’re out. Provided you get your pet used to it gradually, it can also work for transporting smaller breed dogs too.
Trailers are generally regarded as the safer option over bike seats. Their low profile means they’re less likely to tip over if your bike falls. You just need to be mindful of where and how you are using it. Road safety has to be a priority, and the trailer needs to have a solid hitching mechanism and be robust and reliable.
The Instep trailer comes in two sizes. One that will accommodate a single child with a 40lb maximum weight capacity, and one that will work for two small kids with a combined weight of no more than 80lbs.
These trailers are also ones that hitch to the rear wheel axle, so they might not be the best option for electric bikes with rear hub motors. The manufacturers also advise that these models are really designed for bikes with wheels that are a maximum of 26 inches wide. Any larger than this and the trailer is at greater risk of tipping – especially if you take corners too fast.
Other than this, it’s easy to assemble and hitch to the bike, it isn’t an overly heavy trailer and, providing you don’t try to go too fast, it offers a comfortable and secure ride for your kids without breaking the bank.
More expensive models will offer slightly better suspension and tire quality, but this ticks the boxes in terms of value for money.
>> Tap Here to Read More Reviews and See Today’s Price on Amazon.com <<
Bike Pushers / Powered Bike Trailers
If you already have a non-electric bike that you love, the idea of a pusher trailer might sound appealing. It would allow you to keep your existing bike, but you could get some propulsion assistance when you need it the most.
Is it Possible to Buy a Motorized Bicycle Trailer?
Over the last decade, a number of pushers have come onto the market and then, unfortunately, quickly disappeared. It’s not hard to understand why they don’t seem to have taken off the way some other bike technology has.
They tend to be bulky, difficult to store and add a cumbersome amount of length to your bike. They have also all been very expensive – generally, these Pushers cost more than it would cost to buy a halfway decent electric bike.
If you’re interested in purchasing a Pusher or understanding more about how they work, there are still a couple of companies producing this type of trailer.
Ridekick
The trailers from this company are one of the few that haven’t fallen by the wayside after launch. This is in part because of their relatively affordable price points. Their Pusher Trailers start at $849. It’s also because of their practical design. They’re much less unwieldy than many, and they have a very compact motor and storage trailer.
Ridekick Pushers have been known to propel cyclists up to 19mph, and you can get a generous 40-mile maximum range if you opt for their premium lithium iron battery (although this is double the price of their basic model). The trailers are also easy to install and fit on most bike styles.
The Cycle Bully Electric Trailer DIY Option from Atomic Zombie
Providing you don’t mind a bit of work and research, designing your own Pusher Trailer could be considerably cheaper than purchasing a ready-made option like the one from Ridekick.
If you aren’t sure where to start, Atomic Zombie have a step-by-step guide available to purchase for under $20. It provides you with easy to follow instructions on how to build up a Pusher yourself. It details all the kit you need, electrical and otherwise, and explains how to construct the trailer in great detail.
The plans include details of what is needed to guarantee good suspension, long-range and generous heavy load capacity.
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