There are many very good reasons to bike tour with a trailer. In this post, we will explore 18 reasons to bike tour with a trailer. But if I didn’t know better, I would say there truly is a love/hate relationship with bike trailers for touring purposes. People either love them or are against them. If I had a dollar for everyone who told me to lose or get rid of the trailer, I could afford to bike tour forever.
***Blog post edit. I came up with a 19th reason to bike tour with a trailer. This reason, in my experience, is pretty huge and might convince even the nonbelievers. For the purposes of this blog post edit, this newly discovered reason can be found at the bottom as a Super Bonus Reason.
My trailer experience and history
I have only ever done two bike tours, and I have only ever bike toured with a trailer. In 2011, I did a 6,500 km bike tour through northern and western Canada. And currently, I am 16,850 km into a 26,000 km bike tour from across Canada to my home in Belize. I have only ever toured in Canada, the USA, and Mexico.
I used a BOB Yak trailer for my first tour, and again using a BOB trailer for my most recent tour. My first tour I used the trail with two rear panniers. This tour I am using the trailer along with four panniers.
In 2011, my first tour with rear panniers and BOB trailer
I am such an advocate for bike trailers that, unless you are flying, I would use a trailer instead of front panniers if you are gear requirements offered you a choice.
Based on my experience and history, it is going to be apparent that I am for bike touring with a trailer. Also, if you choose to tour with a trailer, be prepared for the “online” haters.
BOB Yak trailer
Which trailer to pick?
The BOB Yak trailer was probably the most affordable and durable design and model for what it was. Unfortunately, no longer manufactured. My only experience is with a BOB trailer. Because I have never used any other makes or models of trailers, the only advice that I can and will offer beyond using a BOB Yak trailer, is that the simpler the design with the fewer moving parts, the better. A quick search showed almost 20 other brands/models/designs between North America and Europe. More often than not, people seem to prefer a single-wheel trailer vs a 2-wheel trailer.
Atlantic Canada 2019 winter
Most likely the best suitable substitute would be either Maya Cycle or Burley. Some European options would be Aveon (France), Extrawheel (Poland), and Radical Design (Netherlands). Between weight and simplicity of design, and cost, Maya Cycle would be my pick for my next trailer
2-wheel trailer
Admittedly, I scanned a few other blog posts about bike touring with a trailer. Most of the posts were panniers vs trailer. I don’t think it has to be “verses” unless your plan is to use only one or the other. But I can’t imagine a trailer having enough space for a fully loaded bike tour without panniers. Potentially, if you are only going for the weekend and packing similar to a bikepacking setup, then I suppose you could make only a trailer work.
Fort Frances, ON, July 2020
18 reasons why a bike trailer is the way to go
Some of my reasons may not be scientifically proven, but some intelligence and logic should back most of my reasoning.
- I feel that you are safer on the road. A trailer makes you bigger and more visible. In my experience, vehicles give you more room/space. I am talking about overall experiences not the one-offs.
- I get a lot of compliments about my trailer from people, which I believe strengthens my argument in my first point and would in turn cause me to think and feel I get far more respect from vehicles on the road.
- Connected to my last point. People are more likely to approach you because they are extra curious. They know you are either going far or have come from far away. That can lead to hosting or free food and even a few bucks. And there is nothing wrong with that.
- A trailer is a great place to strap and spread a solar panel or other gear.
Charge your batteries while you pedal
- I have far more room for extra food and water when I am heading into isolated areas or the desert.
The reasons keep coming
- Because you have extra space, you can use a foam sleeping pad vs a blow-up sleeping pad. There is very little difference in weight but a big difference in price. Foam pads can cost around $40 or less, whereas a reasonable quality blow-up pad can cost between $80 and $200. And blow-up pads need to be blown up and packed tightly every day. And blow-up pads are susceptible to punctures.
Foam sleeping pad – more space, but cheaper and easier to use
- Related to the last point, I am able to take advantage of cheaper grocery prices and selection by stocking up in the city vs small general stores in small towns.
- You will now have something to carry groceries and supplies in while at a city campground or hostel, versus dumping your panniers out (to turn your panniers into grocery bags).
- You save money because of extra things I can bring from home versus purchasing more “stuff” on the road. Examples such as cold weather clothing or even something as small as a small bottle of laundry detergent.
- I am more comfortable because I have space for cold-weather clothing or a few extra pairs of clean underwear.
Pulling a trailer in Washington
- Your bike is likely safer from thieves. A thief is going to be far more noticeable in his getaway and not get as far as quickly with a trailer attached to a bike. Which helps make your bike more trouble than it’s worth.
More reasons are still coming
- A trailer is handy for giving you a place to keep things separate, such as a cooking stove, fuel bottles, pots and pans, or a wet tent.
- Because of the dimensions of a trailer, packing can be quicker and easier. You can just stuff everything in and go.
- If you are a hiker with lots of hiking plans, you can now bring your backpack.
- If your current bike is not tour-specific (mountain bike, suspension, etc), a trailer is a lot cheaper than a new bike.
Front suspension bike with a trailer. Internet photo
- Because of weight distribution, you will have less weight on your bike wheels because your trailer is handling some of the weight. That puts less wear and tear on your tires, rims, and hubs. You will also likely experience fewer broken spokes and cracked or bent rims. My last bike tour setup was 170 lbs (185 lbs in the winter), and I have never broken a spoke or cracked a rim. You’ll also find that pinch flats become less common as well.
- I have come across the argument that you are more aerodynamic, which doesn’t hurt either
- Because you now own a trailer. When you are not touring, you now have the ability (at home) to more easily transport things with your bike, such as groceries. This helps eliminate the need for a car, or at the very least, helps reduce your need to drive absolutely everywhere every time. Now, in Belize, I modified my trailer to carry lumber and regularly transport 4 – 2x4x8, 20ft lengths of PVC pipe and sacks of corn (chicken food).
A bonus reason to bike tour with a trailer
- I use my trailer to carry my bear canister. Bear canisters can be a real pain to carry on a bike tour, but wise to have one in bear country. That being said, I still carried mine even when I left bear country, for a bunch of reasons. I am able to carry food without crushing it. And it’s great for food that may possibly leak or melt. Has anyone ever had butter melt in their panniers all over their clothes? Not me. The canister also keeps ants out of my food. And a bear canister makes a great camping seat that won’t break.
The contents of my trailer
Bear canister, tent, foam pad (black bag), extra fuel bottle, cooking stove,
pots and pans kit, and room for extra food and water if needed
Super Bonus Reason to pull a trailer
To be completely honest, when I entered Mexico, my bike touring system changed considerably. I was actually strongly considering leaving my trailer at home (in Belize) when I arrived there on my way to Argentina. [I was unable to continue my bike tour past Belize.] I basically found I could no longer cook my own food. Most of the foods I cooked in Canada and the USA were not available to me in Mexico, and I was therefore packing a lot less stuff because I was eating at taco stands instead. Therefore, my load was considerably less.
But what did happen in Mexico, and I suspect is pretty common in every developing country, is that I was now starting to be chased by dogs multiple times a day. This can actually be pretty dangerous given the number of rocks, potholes, and speed bumps on third-world country roads. How can you possibly focus on the road in front of you when a dog is right on your heels? Well, when pulling a trailer, they (the dogs) are not on your heels anymore. They are chasing your trailer instead. That extra space between you and the dogs allows you to navigate the road far more safely while cursing those dogs chasing the trailer. I experienced the difference firsthand, and within seconds, I realized – the trailer stays no matter what.
Considerations
- With a trailer, it will be tempting to bring extra gear and stuff simply because you have the room. That is between you and you to figure out. But you can read my blog post about that subject HERE
- My current trailer wheel hub has, on two separate occasions disintegrated. The good news is the trailer wheel turned easily enough on the axle with no real noticeable drag until I was able to reach a bike shop.
Twice, my hub disintegrated
- On my bike ride, I have gotten close to twenty flat tires on my trailer, but only one or two on my front bike tire and none on my rear bike tire. I would much rather fix a trailer flat then on my bike anyday.
- Flying with a trailer or anticipating other modes of transportation with a trailer, such as buses or trains, kind of sucks.
- It can be a pain if you have to break your bike and trailer down because you are being hosted in an apartment, for example. I have run into that over 10 times with hosts but I still would rather pull a trailer.
Tips
- See the photo on how to balance your bike with a trailer. Some practice is required.
Jackknife the bike and trailer just right, and the bike will stand on its own
- Oil your quick release as required. I had my trailer wheel come off on the road because the quick release wouldn’t lock tightly. A bike shop showed me how to oil it regularly. Problem solved. (Unrelated, but another bike tip. My bike lock seized up inside, and I squirted oil into the cracks and holes. Another problem solved.)
- Check the tightness of your quick release regularly.
- One of the times my wheel disintegrated the local bike shop couldn’t help me. Thankfully, the owner ran to the dump for me to get a wheel off kids bike. The wheel worked great and I simply strapped my “better quality” wheel to my trailer until I got to a bigger city.
- Carry an extra tube.
Pulling my trailer in McMinnville, Oregon
In conclusion
In conclusion, the facts speak for themselves. Go get a BOB Yak trailer and bike tour with a trailer.
Additional Reading
