Find the best bike trailer for kids with this guide

In this guide you’ll learn all there is to know about the different types of kid’s bike trailers, and how to choose the best bike trailer for kids that fits your lifestyle.

Thule kid’s bike trailers are great for bringing kids along on the daily bike commute or going for weekend excursions.

In this article, you will learn more about the following:

• Commonly asked questions about bike trailers
• Bike trailers for multiple activities
• Bike trailers for dogs and cargo
• Bike trailer accessories
• Installing the bike trailer on your bike

What is a kid’s bike trailer?

A kid’s bike trailer is a trailer that attaches to the back of a bike and can transport kids, cargo or pets. Parents can also use most Thule bike trailers for multiple activities, such as strolling, biking, jogging, or cross-country skiing.

At Thule, there are two types of kid’s bike trailers, trailers for multiple activities and trailers for commuting.

Trailers for multiple activities

These are child bicycle trailers that help active parents do sports together with their kids. Out of the package, they come equipped with stroller wheels and bike kit, ready for effortless strolling and biking.

Together with an additional jogging or skiing kit, they allow parents to jog, bike or cross-country ski with their kids.

Trailers for commuting

These are bike trailers for everyday life that can transport kids or even dogs and cargo. These bike trailers are perfect for strolling and biking and have ample cargo storage so that parents can bring everything they need on the daily commute.

All Thule bike trailers are ready for biking and strolling right out of the box, with two extra strolling wheels included for effortless strolling, no extra kit required.

Finding the best child bike trailer

The initial question you should be asking yourself when choosing a kid’s bike trailer is: what do you want to use the bike trailer for? Is it to bring your child to kindergarten, or to go on long bike expeditions on the weekend?

If you want to use your bike trailer for chores and to transport groceries and other items, commuting bike trailers are perfect.

If you want to use them to be more sporty and active with your child, then a bike trailer for multiple activities is a good option.

How old does a kid have to be to ride a kid bike trailer?

All our child bike trailers allow for growing kids. They are made to transport one or two kids up to a total weight of 22 kg per kid. Parents can usually start cycling with their child around 10-12 months but always consult with a pediatrician if your baby is under 1 year. Also, the age depends on activity.

• Cycling: Parents can start cycling with their child the moment they can sit upright unattended. This obviously differs from child to child but is usually around 10-12 months. Parents should consult a pediatrician if their child is less than one year old, and the child must always wear a helmet when riding behind the bike.
• Jogging: Parents can start jogging with a child at six months using the Thule Infant Sling or in the reclining seat position (if available) with a Thule Baby Supporter. We recommend sticking to smooth paths until the child is at least one year old.
• Cross-country skiing: Parents can start cross-country skiing at six months old on trails groomed for cross-country skiers.

When strolling with your baby, put the Thule Chariot Carrier in the reclining seat position and combine it with a Thule Baby Supporter or Thule Infant Sling in order to start strolling with your child.

Note: Parents must always consult a pediatrician if their child is less than one year old. The child must always wear a helmet when riding behind the bike.

What is a bike trailer for multiple activities?

Trailers for multiple activities – these are bike trailers that help active parents do sports together with their kids.

Together with an additional jogging or skiing kit, they allow parents to jog, bike or cross-country ski with their kids. These bike trailers also can be used for strolling.

See the different types below:

Note: The Thule Chariot Sport comes with hand-activated brakes already installed, you can add them to the Thule Chariot Lite and Thule Chariot Cross thanks to the Thule Chariot Brake kit, an accessory sold separately. Jogging and skiing skits are sold separately.

These are bike trailers for everyday life that can transport kids or even dogs and cargo. These bike trailers are perfect for strolling and biking and have ample cargo storage so that parents can bring everything they need on the daily commute.

Trailers for commuting are bike trailers for everyday life that can transport kids or even dogs and cargo.

• Thule Coaster is a basic, value-for-money bike trailer with biking and strolling possibilities.
• Thule Courier is a versatile bike trailer for active family life that can easily carry kids, cargo and a dog (with the additional dog trailer kit).
• Thule Chariot Cab - Thanks to its large cargo space, the Thule Chariot Cab is also included in the commuting category. Together with the additional jogging kit, it’s perfect for walking in all types of terrain, or in the rain, sleet and snow.

See specific differences between the different bicycle trailers below:

The low-down:

Bikes with 5mm Quick Release Skewers are fully compatible with our bike trailers. Bikes with 12mm Thru-Axles, Internal Gear Hub Adapters or unusual frame geometries or bike stands need an adapter.

See below which adapters work with which bike styles, download the PDF for full information.

How a bike trailer attaches to a bike

The Thule Bicycle Trailer Kit attaches to the bicycle at the rear axle.

9mm Quick Release Skewers – fully compatible

Most bicycles have a 9mm quick release (QR) through the rear axle. These are fully compatible with our bike trailers.

The following bicycles will require additional adapters:

1. Bikes with 12mm Thru-Axles
2. Bikes with internal gear hubs
3. Bikes where the geometry of the bike frame makes it difficult to fit our hitch cup

Important accessories for bike compatibility

There are certain bike accessories that expand the bike compatibility of our bike trailers.

• Thule Axle Mount Hitch™ Cup with Quick Release Skewer
  Makes it possible to easily move a bike trailer from one bike to another – great if two parents use the trailer!
• Thule 3D Dropout Adapter - 10mm Spacer
  Enables customers to attach a bicycle trailer kit to bicycles with hooded dropouts. Tends to be the case for bikes with a bike stand.
• Thule Internal Hub Hitch Adapter Shimano
  Enables customers to attach a Bicycle Trailer Kit to bicycles with an internal hub.
• Thule Thru Axle Shimano M12 x 1.5 black
  Allows customers to attach their bike trailer to a bike with 12mm Thru-Axles