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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

Common bike trailer questions

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.

LL

Transporting a dog
If you want to transport your dog, a dog bike trailer is
a great solution. Only the Thule Courier together with
the additional Thule Courier dog trailer kit accessory
(sold separately) that can also transport a dog.

Go to product

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.

Bike trailers for multiple activities

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:

Thule Chariot Lite

For everyday activities

This bike trailer includes:

Standard package

Biking and premium strolling kit

Ventilation vents and light
Suspension
Adjustable handlebar
Simple compact fold

Optional jogging and cross-country skiing kit

converts the trailer into a jogging stroller/ski pulk

Thule Chariot Cross

For an active lifestyle

This bike trailer includes:

Standard package

Biking and premium strolling kit

Ventilation vents and light
Suspension
Adjustable handlebar
Simple compact fold

Comfort package

Reclining seat
Adjustable suspension
Dedicated cargo space

Optional jogging and cross-country skiing kit

converts the trailer into a jogging stroller/ski pulk

Thule Chariot Sport

For athletes and their kids

This bike trailer includes:

Standard package

Biking and premium strolling kit

Ventilation vents and light
Suspension
Adjustable handlebar
Simple compact fold

Comfort package

Reclining seat
Adjustable suspension
Dedicated cargo space

Sport package

One hand activated disc brakes

Removable side panels/windows
Fully padded seats

Optional jogging and cross-country skiing kit

converts the trailer into a jogging stroller/ski pulk

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.

An active life
With Thule Chariot Cab, you can stay active and bring
your kids along all year long.

Bike trailers for dogs and cargo

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:

Thule Coaster XT
The value for money bike trailer

This bike trailer includes:

Biking and basic strolling kit

Adjustable handlebar
Simple compact fold
Extra storage compartment

Thule Courier
The versatile bike trailer for active family life

This bike trailer includes:

Biking and premium strolling kit

Flip flat technology converts the bike trailer into a
cargo trailer
Adjustable handlebar
Simple compact fold
Adjustable rain and mesh cover

Optional dog trailer kit accessory converts Thule

Courier into a dog trailer

Thule Chariot Cab

A robust and roomy trailer for daily commute

This bike trailer includes:

Biking and premium strolling kit

Ventilation vents and light
Suspension
Adjustable handlebar
Simple compact fold
Reclining seat
Adjustable suspension
Dedicated cargo space
Robust design with hard floor and more than 100
liter XXL cargo space

Optional all terrain wheel and cross-country skiing kit

converts the trailer into an all terrain stroller/ski pulk

Bike trailer accessories

For sport and all-terrain activites

Want to do more with your bike trailer? The Thule

Chariot Jogging kit transforms your bike trailer into a
great jogging stroller and the Thule Chariot Cross-
country skiing kit makes it possible to bring your kids
for a ski trip on snowy days.

For extended bike usage

Want to get the most out of your Thule bike trailer?

Thule Axle mount ezHitch makes it possible to easily
move your cycling-ready carrier from one bike to
another – great if two parents use the trailer! Thule
Bike adapters simplify using the bicycle trailer kit,
with any bike type you want.

For child comfort

Make it comfy and cozy for your kids, and they will
love riding with you in the bike trailer! There are
several accessories that make life in the bike lane
even better. If you want to get a head start, you’ll
need the Thule Chariot Infant Sling for your baby's
lateral support and maximum stability. For kids 6-18
months old, Thule Baby Supporter adds padded
sides and head support to ensure your baby sits
comfortably upright. Thule Chariot Padding
increases comfort and Thule Footmuff or Thule
Footmuff Sport adds that extra warmth for colder
days.

For added convenience and storage

Your life pattern is yours alone – personalize your

bike trailer to make it perfect for both busy times and
leisurely days! Thule Chariot Brake Kit is a hand
activated band brake that increases control of your
Thule Chariot. Thule Chariot Lock Kit lets you lock
the trailer to the bike for that extra safety. Add a water
bottle attachment with Thule Bottle Cage and bring
the gear you need with Thule Cargo Rack. For busy
training days, Thule Organizer Sport adds a zippered
pocket and built-in cup holder to your Thule child
carrier. Sometimes, though, you do need a break.
Thule Storage Cover is a durable fabric cover that
protects your Thule child carrier while not in use.

Bike trailer and bike compatibility

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

Hopefully this guide helped you learn all there is to know

about bike trailers so that you feel confident to go out their
and buy your own! Your kids are going to love it, we promise.

Explore

What stroller accessories do I need?

Finding the right stroller accessories can help make
a long day out easier!

Read more

How to choose the best child bike seat for

your child
Thule child bike seats are ideal for the daily commute
or for family adventures.

Read more

4 ways to make bike commuting easier for

you
Bike commuting has so many benefits! Read our
guide to help make your switch to two wheels easier.

Read more
Find the right one for you!
Strollers for your lifestyle

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