Thinking of buying dog bike trailer - makes? - can I use a child trailer? (2 Viewers)

[Grianan]

We loved having Nala with us in the summer and are hoping to take her back to France in October.

Even with our currently limited levels of fitness we felt we were pushing her with speed (we were having to cycle more slowly than we find comfortable) and distance when she was running alongside the bikes.

So, we're looking for a dog trailer to allow us to venture a little further and travel a little faster.

We saw a lot of Burley Tail Wagons in France and thought they seemed a good mid-point of quality vs price.
But it's still £340 and we don't know if she'll like it or loathe it so wondered about buying second hand.

Trouble is there are no dog-specific Burleys coming up - but lots of Burley child trailers. So the question is can we safely put a dog in a child bike trailer and what would we have to modify?

Burley Tail Wagon® Pet Trailer

<p>Now your favorite four-legged friend can come along for the ride. The Burley Tail Wagon® pet bike trailer is thoughtfully designed for easy loading and unloading, quick cleaning, and maximum comfort for your canine copilot. With a 75-pound weight capac

winstanleysbikes.co.uk

Picture of Nala with her dad ...

 

[suavecarve]

I m not a dog owner but am grumpdad with a grumpkid carrier which we have used.

I m unsure what differences there are between a £100 child carrier and a £340 dog trailer (apart form £240)

Is there anything in the one you looked at that I am unaware of. I have seen loads of dogs in child carriers (probably people as tight fisted as me)

Parking is an issue when it is attached !

 

[stevewagner]

Just did a search on Marketplace and there are a few for sale In Scotland, including one in Edinburgh for £60

 

[Gellyneck]

Wonder if this would be a cheaper option for you?

 

[Mick and Ruth]

This is the one I have for my 30kg Labrador she’s 10 now so days of running beside have gone especially in warmer climates. We got it from Mano Mano on line and it’s brilliant. We now travel for miles with her in tow, and when we arrive at a beach or lake she has plenty of energy to enjoy herself this is in Croatia. If I recall about £170

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[Grianan]

I m not a dog owner but am grumpdad with a grumpkid carrier which we have used.

I m unsure what differences there are between a £100 child carrier and a £340 dog trailer (apart form £240)

Is there anything in the one you looked at that I am unaware of. I have seen loads of dogs in child carriers (probably people as tight fisted as me)

Parking is an issue when it is attached !

To be fair I can get a PetsRUs type for about £100 - we were looking for alloy, rather than steel for payload - and metal wheels rather than plastic as we tend to go off road quite a bit. The Burley child ones are a similar price to their dog ones. Do you know what make the one was you used?

 

[suavecarve]

To be fair I can get a PetsRUs type for about £100 - we were looking for alloy, rather than steel for payload - and metal wheels rather than plastic as we tend to go off road quite a bit. The Burley child ones are a similar price to their dog ones,

Are you off anytime soon ? You can borrow ours if passing Surrey at a mutually convenient time

 

[Landy Andy]

There are a range available and we have a Burley Tail Wagon, as do our friends who managed to get a second hand one for £40. We had a child trailer before but the floor soon fell through, and was a lot heavier than the Burley. We have done some serious stuff with our trailer. Be aware of how the trailers attach and the fact that this will/may cost you yet again more money.
Another big difference between a kids trailer and a dog trailer is where the height is. It is opposite between the two.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

We had a pawhut one for Frank the dog. Pneumatic tyres that popped off and it folded flat ish. You could push it like a pram it had a front wheel which also removed or tow it as a trailer.
Kept us moving when Frank was getting older. Sadly he has gone now .

 

[Grianan]

There are a range available and we have a Burley Tail Wagon, as do our friends who managed to get a second hand one for £40. We had a child trailer before but the floor soon fell through, and was a lot heavier than the Burley. We have done some serious stuff with our trailer. Be aware of how the trailers attach and the fact that this will/may cost you yet again more money.
Another big difference between a kids trailer and a dog trailer is where the height is. It is opposite between the two.
View attachment 796755View attachment 796756

Thanks Andy that's exactly what I needed to know. The Tail Wagon is the one we are looking at. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a second hand one ...

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[Grianan]

Are you off anytime soon ? You can borrow ours if passing Surrey at a mutually convenient time

That's incredibly kind and I appreciate your offer. We're hopefully (OH health permitting) bombing down to Canterbury from West Coast Scotland as soon as we break up for October half term and tunnelling the morning after. I don't think logistics work but I really appreciate your kindness!

 

[DBK]

 

[Landy Andy]

Thanks Andy that's exactly what I needed to know. The Tail Wagon is the one we are looking at. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a second hand one ...

Me and my mate both had to spend an additional £40-50 on the axle for our bikes. I then had to find an engineering shop to alter mine too.
A dog trailer has the height at the front as the dog will sit or stand in it so front needs the height. A kids trailer has them sitting in it facing forwards so height is at the back of the trailer.
Also be aware that you may need time to discuss your dog, and trailer, have photos taken, and be pointed at whilst towing a dog trailer.

 

[Landy Andy]

Trailer also has other uses.

A fair bit of weight in there. Over 50 kg.

 

[Grianan]

Trailer also has other uses. View attachment 796783

A fair bit of weight in there. Over 50 kg.

Found a post in an earlier thread where someone had stopped off on the Mosel at a Weingut and loaded the trailer with cases of wine - poor doggies had to run back .

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[Marie-Claire]

We had the trailer but I found it heavy behind the normal mountain bike, had 2 x 10kg dogs, we now have buddy riders one on each bike , the bikes are a lot more manouverable as the weight is over the crossbar, they do have a max weight and only suitable for smaller dogs but a vast improvement

 

[Landy Andy]

We had the trailer but I found it heavy behind the normal mountain bike, had 2 x 10kg dogs, we now have buddy riders one on each bike , the bikes are a lot more manouverable as the weight is over the crossbar, they do have a max weight and only suitable for smaller dogs but a vast improvement

View attachment 796809

That would be our preferred. That’s me and dog. But as you say size limited. You are so much agile without the trailer. Also our dog is obsessed about looking out at front, and wants to be ahead of the group. But at 20kg there’s no chance of mounting carrier towards the front. Can’t say the trailer is bad behind an E bike, but you do/will certainly know about it on a non E.

 

[Grianan]

We had the trailer but I found it heavy behind the normal mountain bike, had 2 x 10kg dogs, we now have buddy riders one on each bike , the bikes are a lot more manouverable as the weight is over the crossbar, they do have a max weight and only suitable for smaller dogs but a vast improvement

View attachment 796809

This would be our preferred option but Nala is aiming for 20kg so not an option sadly. Luckily it’s to go on an e-bike.

 

[Ridgeway]

Also child trailers have a seat in them, dogs tend to struggle with that it’s typically a bench type seat running across the trailer or in some cases moulded seat shells.

We use ours every day and we’ve probably done close to 10,000km with it now over the last 5yrs or so. Few comments from a frequent user:

1. Things break on trailers, especially the hitches so access to spares is important
2. Low access into the trailer is very useful for your dog and useful when getting them used to it
3. See how small they fold/dismantle to and how easy that is to do as in the end it’s still a pretty big thing to get in the van
4. A pocket or two on the trailer can be useful for poo bags and leads
5. Don’t tether your dog In the trailer, i know some will suggest it but if they jump out…..

Ours love their trailer and often sleep in it at campsites when we take the wheels off and lay it down on the floor, it’s basically a mobile kennel.

 

[Ridgeway]

PS we love your Nala what a stunning dog, perfect size and coat for camping cars

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[Grianan]

Also child trailers have a seat in them, dogs tend to struggle with that it’s typically a bench type seat running across the trailer or in some cases moulded seat shells.

We use ours every day and we’ve probably done close to 10,000km with it now over the last 5yrs or so. Few comments from a frequent user:

1. Things break on trailers, especially the hitches so access to spares is important
2. Low access into the trailer is very useful for your dog and useful when getting them used to it
3. See how small they fold/dismantle to and how easy that is to do as in the end it’s still a pretty big thing to get in the van
4. A pocket or two on the trailer can be useful for poo bags and leads
5. Don’t tether your dog In the trailer, i know some will suggest it but if they jump out…..

Ours love their trailer and often sleep in it at campsites when we take the wheels off and lay it down on the floor, it’s basically a mobile kennel.

Thanks this is all really useful!

We’ll not manage 10,000 km - ever!

Couple of questions - firstly what make is yours? It must be robust with that mileage and looks really smooth ride in the video.

Also, I had assumed tether so she couldn’t jump out. Was slightly concerned there didn’t se to be a loop in the Burley. Is it dangerous to tether?

Oh and Nala is a right character and loves the campervan!

 

[lorger]

We have one, will look at it tomorrow as it’s in the garage and I can’t be bothered . If you’re passing your welcome to pop in for a look or even borrow, we’re 1/2 mile from A75.

Also check your bike can take the small piece that goes on, ours fitted on the normal bike no issues but needed slightly adjusted for EBike.

 

[Ridgeway]

Thanks this is all really useful!

We’ll not manage 10,000 km - ever!

Couple of questions - firstly what make is yours? It must be robust with that mileage and looks really smooth ride in the video.

Also, I had assumed tether so she couldn’t jump out. Was slightly concerned there didn’t se to be a loop in the Burley. Is it dangerous to tether?

Oh and Nala is a right character and loves the campervan!

We have an old Croozer trailer. Think it’s about 5-6yrs old now although the newer range is actually much better but also pricey.

Our dogs get in and out and we typically don’t close the trailer up. We used to have a border terrier that had the habit of jumping out which when tethered was hugely risky, leads and wheels etc But now with the 2 dogs we have they are sensible enough to stay in when told although the cocker will get back in whilst we’re riding along if we go fairly slowly.

 

[Landy Andy]

Was slightly concerned there didn’t se to be a loop in the Burley. Is it dangerous to tether?

The burley has four loops in the base to attach dog to. We tethered our dog as he would try to get out, or walk along the bar joining trailer to bike. Just use a short harness so it isn’t long enough to be able to get out of the trailer. Our dog is now not attached as he has got used to it and we tell him to get in or out as we want. He prefers running along side.

 

[Shrimp]

Amazon​

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Dog Bike Trailer, Bicycle Trailer Pet Carrier On Wheels, 600D Canvas Dog Carrier for Bike w/Reflectors​

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[Rob Turner]

We use a Croozer, very stable and fit for purpose.

 

[Marie-Claire]

We use the buddy riders 1 dog each and a lot easier than the trailer we tried before

 

[Myles Ward]

We have one of these £83…

PawHut Waterproof Pet Bike Cargo Trailer and Dog Carrier w/ Steel - Black & Red

Buy the PawHut Waterproof Pet Bike Cargo Trailer and Dog Carrier w/ Steel - Red & Black at Robert Dyas online. Free Standard Home Delivery on this product

www.robertdyas.co.uk

 

[eddie]

We use a Croozer, very stable and fit for purpose. View attachment 889267View attachment 889271

We have a Croozer XXL and it’s excellent

 

[x17ken]

We have been using these for our two frenchies. They are very lightweight and can be easily adapted to remain level when attached to different height bikes. They fold up easily for stowing.

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