The 7 Best Bike Trailers for Dogs of 2023

The Spruce Pets / Lecia Landis

Your dog needs exercise too. While taking a walk can be fun, it can be even cooler to take your pup on a bike ride. Bicycling with your pup can be easier with a sturdy bike trailer for dogs.

Bike trailers hitch to the back of your bike and often have extras like safety lights and storage pockets and some can convert into strollers or crates.

“Most pet owners will travel over multiple terrain textures when using a bike trailer for their dog, so there could be rough spots along your journey,” says Lindsey Wolko, founder of the Center for Pet Safety, who prefers bike trailers for dogs over bike baskets. “One that rides lower to the ground will provide a better center of gravity to help keep the trailer from flipping.”

Our favorite is the Retrospec Rover Waggin Pet Bike Trailer. It is easily foldable, has safety reflectors, a rear entry door, and non-slip floor and comes in three colors. We also like the Schwinn Rascal Bike Dog Trailer. It’s easy to use, comes in two colors, and has a great sunroof.

Ready to hit the bike trails?

Amazon

Rear entry door

Non-slip floor

Weather-resistant fabric

Foldable

Safety reflectors

Leash isn’t very strong

The Retrospec Rover Waggin Pet Bike Trailer comes with lots of bells and whistles, including safety features. Made with a sturdy steel frame, it has weather-resistant fabric that comes in three colors. There’s a canopy for rainy days and a mesh screen when your co-pilot wants to enjoy a little fresh air. The trailer has built-in reflectors so everyone can spot you on the road.

Inside, there’s a non-slip floor to keep your pup from sliding around on the turns. The rear-entry door makes it easy for your pet to hop in and out. A strong zipper and an internal leashing system keeps your dog secure while you ride.

The trailer is easy to fold to take on the road or for storage in the garage. It can hold up to 50 pounds and weighs 28 pounds.

Price at time of publish: $150

Interior Dimensions: 30 x 19 x 17 inches | Materials: Steel and fabric | Weight: 28 pounds | Dog Sizes: Up to 50 pounds | Colors: Blue, black, yellow

Amazon

Easy-to-enter back door

Comes in two colors

Folds easily

Washable liner

Plastic or mesh sunroof

Not a thing

Since 1895, Schwinn has been a respected name in the bike business, so it’s no surprise that the company’s dog bike trailers are very popular. The Schwinn Rascal folds easily and is quick to attach to bikes. It has an easy-entry back door, a removable and washable floor liner, and a sunroof that can either be mesh or clear plastic if the weather isn’t cooperating.

The Rascal is made with steel and durable fabric. It can hold up to 50 pounds of dog and comes in two colors. There’s a leash tether inside for some safety and a small storage pocket on the roof for necessities.

The wheels are quick-release, which makes the trailer easy to fold, store, and transport. There’s an enclosed flag to help with visibility on the road.

Price at time of publish: $200

Interior Dimensions: 53.35 x 25.79 x 26.4 inches | Materials: Steel and fabric | Weight: 26 pounds | Dog Sizes: Up to 50 pounds | Colors: Blue, orange

Amazon

Two sizes

Large rear door with low clearance

Lower center of gravity for smooth ride

Removable floor for cleaning

Can be used as a stroller or kennel

No leash system inside

Who says big dogs can’t go biking? The Burley Bark Ranger comes in two sizes: standard and extra-large. One fits dogs up to 75 pounds and the other can tote pups up to 100 pounds. The sturdy trailer is made with aluminum, steel, and durable fabric with mesh panels for airflow.

This family-owned bike company has been in business since 1978, making kid, cargo, and pet trailers and strollers. This trailer converts into a stroller with an included attachment. It also can convert into a kennel. There’s a large, rear door with low clearance so seniors and small dogs can enter and exit easily. The floor is removable for cleaning. One negative is that there’s no leash inside for security.

Price at time of publish: $600 for standard

Interior Dimensions: 36.5 x 28.5 x 32 inches | Materials: Aluminum, steel, fabric | Weight: 31 pounds | Dog Sizes: 75 pounds| Colors: Blue

Amazon

Two sizes

Folds easily

Windows can be plastic, mesh, or open

Removable padded floor

Stroller attachment not included

Trixie is a German manufacturer that makes all sorts of pet products, including bike trailers. This Quick Fold model comes in two sizes, so it fits either dogs up to 48.5 pounds or dogs as big as 66.5 pounds. It collapses and folds easily for roadtrips and storage.

The all-weather trailer has windows that can be plastic or mesh or remain open. There’s a removable padded floor on top of a solid wood bottom that users really like for safety and the solid feel. There are lots of thoughtful extras like storage pockets, a cup holder, and a handle that adjusts to different heights. You can buy a separate wheel attachment that converts this into a jogging stroller, but it’s not included.

Price at time of publish: $257

Interior Dimensions: 29.13 x 22.83 x 36.61 inches, 33.1 x 21.5 x 9.3 inches | Materials: Aluminum, polyester fabric | Weight: 27.5 pounds, 31 pounds | Dog Sizes: Up to 48.5 pounds, up to 66.5 pounds | Colors: Gray

Sears

Easy to assemble and store

Storage pockets

Several colors

Zippered sunroof and mesh or vinyl windows

Lower center of gravity for stability

Built-in leash can be flimsy

This Doggyhut trailer is easy to assemble and use and then equally simple to fold and store. The top has a zippered sunroof where curious (and not too rowdy) pets can stick their heads out to enjoy the scenery. The windows can be mesh or clear vinyl, depending on the temperature and the elements.

Inside, there’s a non-slip floor and a leash attachment for security. There are several storage pockets including a spot for a water bottle. The trailer holds pups up to 77 pounds and comes in gray, green, and red sturdy fabric. The trailer wheels and the trailer itself both have built-in reflectors for safety.

Price at time of publish: $180

Interior Dimensions: 53 x 29 x 33 inches | Materials: Steel and fabric | Weight: 31 pounds | Dog Sizes: Up to 77 pounds | Colors: Gray, green, red

Amazon

Lightweight and easy to fold

Storage pockets

Removable floor for cleaning

Low, rear tailgate for easy entry

No tether

No cover for rain

Unlike the larger, heavier Burley trailer, the Tail Wagon is just a bicycle trailer that doesn’t convert into a stroller or crate. That makes it easier to maneuver and store, as well as less expensive. The trailer is made of a combo of aluminum, steel, and durable green fabric. It totes dogs up to 75 pounds.

The trailer has a low, rear tailgate for easier entry for older dogs or dogs with short legs. There are storage pockets for leashes, treats, and other roadtrip essentials. And the floor is removable for easy cleaning. It has all mesh windows which is great for airflow but can be an issue if you’re out in the rain.

Price at time of publish: $374

Interior Dimensions: 33.5 x 27.75 x 31.5 inches | Materials: Aluminum, steel, fabric | Weight: 20.9 pounds | Dog Sizes: Up to 75 pounds | Colors: Green

Rex Specs

Protects eyes from road debris and weather

Many sizes and colors

Blocks UVA and UVB rays

Comes with clear and smoke lenses

Can take a while for dogs to get used to them

If you like to leave the sunroof or windows open in your bike trailer, you might want to consider dog goggles for your pet. This keeps debris from getting kicked up into your dog’s eyes as you pedal and protects their eyes from sun damage.

Popular with sporting and working dogs, Rex Specs come in five sizes from extra-small to extra-large and they are available in so many colors. The one-piece construction allows for an unobstructed view. The frame is a sturdy but soft rubber-like material with a non-slip frame and foam padding for comfort. It is also vented for better airflow and to drain water. Each pair comes with clear and smoke-colored lenses that block UVA and UVB rays.

Price at time of publish: $85

Materials: TPE (rubber-like material) and polycarbonate | Dog Sizes: Extra-small, small, medium, large, extra-large | Colors: Blue, orange, black, pink, green, red, purple, gray, teal, and more

Our favorite is the Retrospec Rover Waggin Pet Bike Trailer. It is easily foldable, has safety reflectors, a rear entry door, and non-slip floor and comes in three colors. We also like the Schwinn Rascal Bike Dog Trailer. It’s easy to use, comes in two colors, and has a great sunroof.

The interior of the trailer should be large enough that your dog can fit comfortably, but not too big that your pet is jostled around. Make sure you pay attention to the manufacturer’s size and weight recommendations.

As true with wagons for dogs, heavier trailers can add a lot to your workout, particularly when combined with the weight of a larger dog. Trailers can range from just over 20 pounds like the Burley Tail Wagon Pet Bike Trailer to 30 pounds or more. If weight is a concern, and your dog is small, consider treating your pup to a ride in one of these dog bike baskets.

Bike trailers can be made out of aluminum or steel or a mixture of both. Steel is often less expensive and sturdier, but it is also heavier and harder to tote. Windows are typically mesh but often you can have the option for vinyl if the weather is bad. “Ample ventilation is critical,” says Volko. And because this means mesh, a nervous dog can tear through fabric and zippers, so make sure they are comfortable before you ride away.

Some bike trailers are just trailers: Load your pet, jump on, and ride. But others, like the Burley Bark Ranger Pet Bike Trailer, convert into a stroller and a kennel. “Most bike trailer companies offer a stroller kit. This will allow you to convert the bike trailer to a stroller,” says Lindsey Wolko, founder of the Center for Pet Safety. “This can be handy to have, especially if you're traveling to an event where you may not be able to (or want to) use your bike to pull the trailer. You simply attach a front wheel and a stroller handle. Then you can push the product like a doggy stroller.”

Because the bottom can be stiff and the road can be rough, it can be nice to have a pet bed that fits the dimensions of the trailer to make the ride more comfortable. Other good extras are a rain cover and not just a mesh roof and lots of storage for things like a water bottle, leash, and any extras that make traveling easier.

“Bike trailers can be very safe for pets, however choose your product carefully,” says Lindsey Wolko, founder of the Center for Pet Safety. “For these products, it's not just about the price-point. Know that the cheaper priced trailer is not likely to be as good as the name brand.” Wolko also points out that these products don’t need to be tested for safety.

Dog bike trailers don’t need to be tested for safety like children’s bike trailers. “In my opinion, if the brand makes a trailer version for children, it would likely meet more stringent requirements than the knock-offs on the market,” says Wolko.

Start by leaving the trailer out, unattached to the bike and let your dog explore. Praise them when they go near and, when they are comfortable, put them in the trailer while it’s stationary. As they get more accustomed, move it first with your hands and then when it is attached to a bike. Go for short rides on smooth paths.

“Most dogs will need to go on several short trips, with multiple stops to pet and praise your dog,” says Volko. “Personally, until the dog is comfortable traveling, I would not give treats to the dog as a reward, because they can get motion sickness. For this reason, choosing one that has a washable interior is important.”

To find the best bike trailers for dogs, we asked cyclists what they liked and what features they looked for when choosing products. We looked at the benefits and drawbacks of various types of trailers and then checked reviews and comments on the most popular ones. This story was written by Mary Jo DiLonardo who has covered animals and pets for several decades. Mary Jo has fostered more than 70 puppies and dogs and is always searching for the healthiest and most effective products to use on them.