If you love cycling but wish you could take your dog with you, then a bike trailer might be the perfect solution. Bike trailers are a healthy and safe way to get around with a dog (and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind either!).
But what is the best bike trailer for riding with a dog?
And also, is it even safe to ride with a dog in a bike trailer?
These are some of the most common questions people ask when taking their dog around in a bike trailer.
This article covers the top 5 best bike trailer options for dogs, as well as some riding tips to make it safer.
What to look for in a dog bike trailer
The best bike trailer for a dog has a higher weight limit of over 60 lbs (30 kg) and costs less than $400. Dog trailer weight limits range from 50 lbs (22.6 kg) on the lower end to 110 lbs (50 kg) on the highest end. The price of a dog trailer ranges from $150 to $400.
Dog trailer vs kid trailer?
Dog trailer vs kid trailer, which is better for pets? There are a few bike trailer manufacturers that make trailers specifically for dogs, but they are often more expensive than the cheapest kid bike trailers.
Dog trailers have the added benefit of being designed just for dogs, which usually include these features:
- A door flap that is easier for your dog to jump in and out of
- More flat interior space
- Dedicated place to tie a leash while the dog is inside the trailer
However, some dog trailers are a bit more expensive than the entry-level bike trailers designed for kids. For this reason, and perhaps because some dog owners also have kids, many people who are riding with their dog in a bike trailer seem to be using a regular kid bike trailer (check out the video of Jenna Marbles wheeling around with her dogs below!).
Top 5 best bike trailers for dogs
These are all dog-specific bike trailers that have at least 4.4 star average reviews on Amazon.
I recommend these bike trailers based on affordability as an important factor for most dog owners. Considering that kid bike trailers can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000, these dog-specific bike trailers offer excellent functionality and enjoyment for an affordable price.
| BIKE TRAILER | BEST FOR | PRICE | WEIGHT LIMIT |
1. Burley Design Tail Wagon | Best overall dog trailer | $400 (check on Amazon) | 75 lbs (34 kg) |
2. Schwinn Rascal | Best affordable dog trailer | $150 (check on Amazon) | 50 lbs (22.6 kg) |
3. Aosom Bike Trailer | Best trailer for mid-size dogs | $180 (check on Amazon) | 66 lbs (30 kg) |
4. PetSafe Bike Trailer | Best trailer for large dogs | $210 (check on Amazon) | 110 lbs (50 kg) |
5. 2-in-1 Pet Stroller and Trailer | Best dog stroller & trailer | $180 (check on Amazon) | 66 lbs (30 kg) |
1. Burley Design Tail Wagon Bike Trail
Best overall dog trailer
Price: Around $400 (check on Amazon)
Weight Limit: 75 lbs (34 kg)
Doggy Door: Yes
Best Features:
- Highest quality of a trusted brand
- High weight limit
- Weather-resistant
If you want the best of the best for your dog, then Burley is the way to go. Burley is a top-of-the-line bike trailer manufacturer that always produces has excellent quality trailers at a mid-range price.
The Burley Tail Wagon dog trailer has high-quality materials, a sturdy frame, and a Burley-style hitch arm. This trailer also comes with a handlebar for easy stroller conversion (stroller conversion is sold separately here).
Regarding the stroller conversion, at that price point, I would expect Burley to provide the stroller conversion kit included with the trailer. I guess they can justify this decision with the fact that not many people use a bike trailer to stroll around with a dog (why not just walk?).
2. Schwinn Rascal Bike Pet Trailer
Best affordable dog trailer
Price: Around $150 (check on Amazon)
Weight Limit: 50 lbs (22.6 kg)
Doggy Door: Yes
Best Features:
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Large metal wheels
- Striking orange color
The Schwinn Rascal is my recommend bike trailer for budget-minded dog owners. It has all of the features that a solid dog trailer should offer at an affordable price. A doggy door, large 20-inch wheels, and a bright-orange color for just around $150 make it a steal of a deal.
Schwinn is a popular and affordable bike manufacturer brand that makes entry-level products for everyday use. You will most likely find Schwinn products in Walmart and Target.
3. Aosom Bike Trailer Cargo Cart
Best trailer for mid-size dogs
Price: Around $180 (check on Amazon)
Weight Limit: 66 lbs (30 kg)
Doggy Door: Yes
Best Features:
- Affordable
- High weight limit
- Safety flag for better visibility
The Aosom dog bike trailer is a great option for dogs that are above the 50-lbs limit on most bike trailers. With a weight capacity of up to 66 lbs and massive 20-inch wheels, the Aosom trailer is a great choice if your budget is under $200.
4. PetSafe Happy Ride Steel Dog Bike Trailer
Best for large dogs
Price: Around $210 (check on Amazon)
Weight Limit: 110 lbs (50 kg)
Doggy Door: Yes
Best Features:
- Super high weight limit!
- Durability
Wow, a 110-lbs weight capacity! Even kid bike trailers don’t go that high!
If you have a large dog (or two dogs), then the PetSafe steel bike trailer is your best bet. Don’t let the cheesy name fool you. This dog trailer has enormous treaded wheels that make it an extra comfortable ride for your dog, as opposed to smaller 16-inch wheels.
Not only does it have a high weight limit, this trailer also has plenty of interior room for your dog and even space for storage.
At around $210, it’s surprising that it doesn’t cost more, seeing as kid bike trailers of that size and weight capacity usually go up to $350 or more.
5. Best Choice Products 2-in-1 Pet Stroller and Trailer
Best dog stroller & trailer
Price: Around $180 (check on Amazon)
Weight Limit: 66 lbs (30 kg)
Doggy Door: Yes
Best Features:
- 2-in-1 convertible stroller
- Safety flag for better visibility
If you’re looking fora dog bike trailer that also converts to a stroller, then consider this trailer.
With affordability as an important consideration, there are not many dog trailers on the market that also convert to a stroller. The Burley Tail Wagon (mentioned above) does have a stroller conversion, but it has to be purchased separately for around $100.
How to help your dog get used to a bike trailer
The key to introducing your bud to a new activity like riding in a bike trailer is to do it slowly. As you probably have guessed, dogs are highly sensitive to your emotions, so try to be patient and calm during the process.
It sometimes can take days or even weeks for a dog to get used to riding with you, but your dog will thank you later when you have a new outdoor activity to share together.
You can start to slowly acclimate your dog to the trailer by keeping the trailer in the house and adding your dog’s favorite things.
Read the step-by-step guide to acclimating a dog to a bike trailer.
Four tips to ride safely with a dog
1. Relax and remain calm
Dogs are hypersensitive to your emotional state, especially stress and frustration. So try to relax when you’re riding around and try not to get impatient if your dog is taking longer than you hoped to get used to the new activity.
2. Give it some time
It may take days or weeks for a dog to build trust with the trailer and feel comfortable. Be sure to follow the above steps to slowly introduce the bike trailer.
If you rush into it too quickly, your dog might be very uncomfortable and stressed during the ride. As a safety benchmark, before you go on your first ride together, make sure that you’re confident he won’t try to jump out mid-ride.
3. Close the bike trailer door cover
Most bike trailers (for kids and for dogs) are designed to keep the precious cargo inside, so your dog will have a hard time jumping out. Be sure to close and zip/lock the door to avoid any unwanted incidents.
4. Tie your dog’s leash to the inside of the trailer for added protection
The leash is a safety precaution in the event that your dog is able to jump out of the trailer. However, most trailers will have a cover that prevents the dog from leaving.
Before you take your dog for a first ride, you should feel confident that he/she won’t try to jump out of the trailer mid-ride. If he does jump out, the trailer might tip over.
Conclusion
Any of the dog trailers mentioned in this article will add a fun and healthy activity for you and your dog. Looking at the weight limit of the trailer will likely be the most helpful metric for the best trailer for you.
If you’re looking for a stroller-convertible trailer, then the Burley Tail Wagon is the highest-end option if you can swing for the $400 price tag. If not, then a great budget option would be the 2-in-1 Pet Stroller.
Looking for a kid bike trailer?
If you need help finding the right bike trailer for you, my recommended trailer for most people is the Swhinn Joyrider, which is an affordable double-seater that converts beautifully to a stroller. Check out my full review with photos here.
Check out the Ultimate Guide to Buying a Bike Trailer for more help with choosing a trailer. I also have compiled a list of the top bike trailers for every common situation, which you can check out here.
Ride on!
