Bike trailers can hold an impressive amount of weight, which makes them one of the most desirable ways to get around with a child or pet.
Especially when riding with a child in a bike trailer, it is crucial that the bike trailer has a weight limit high enough to safely hold a child.
How much weight can bike trailers hold?
Bikes trailers for kids can hold from 40 lbs (18 kg) on the lower end to 150 lbs (68 kg) on the highest end. Double-seated bike trailers are designed to carry more weight, so they may be preferable for growing families. A good bike trailer can hold at least 75 lbs (34 kg).
Here are the weight limits of 7 popular bike trailers:
| BRAND | WEIGHT LIMIT | SEATS | PRICE |
| Schwinn Trailblazer | 40 lbs | Single | Around $135 (check price on Amazon) |
| Burley Bee | 80 lbs | Double | Around $300 (check price on Amazon) |
| Schwinn Joyrider | 100 lbs | Double | Around $360 (check price on Amazon) |
| Burley Honey Bee | 100 lbs | Double | Around $400 (check price on Amazon) |
| Thule Coaster XT | 100 lbs | Double | Around $430 (check price on Amazon) |
| Burley D’Lite X | 100 lbs | Double | Around $850 (check price on Amazon) |
| Wike Special Needs Bike Trailer | 125-150 lbs | Single | Around $760 for Large, $900 for Extra Large (check prices for Large and Extra Large) |
How old is too old to ride in a bike trailer?
The great thing about a bike trailer is that it is an investment that will last you for years to come.
Typically, a child becomes too big for a bike trailer when he/she turns around 6 years old, or they become too tall for the bike trailer, or they surpass the weight limit issued by the company (around 40-80 pounds usually). Every kid grows differently, so it’s good to check your bike trailer’s weight limit.
Recommended: The Schwinn Joyrider bike trailer is my recommended trailer of choice for a high weight limit of 100 lbs! Find it on Amazon here.
What about height limits?
How tall is too tall to fit in a bike trailer? Typically, when a child reaches age 6 or 7 they will be too heavy or too tall to comfortably ride in a bike trailer.
According to the popular bike trailer brand Burley, here is their recommendation:
“Children typically are able to ride in the trailer until about age six, or until they become too tall for their helmet to fit below the internal roll bar. The max age will depend on the child’s development. Burley manuals say a maximum age of 7 years old. However, the maximums to consider are more related to the height and weight that a trailer is rated to accommodate. All Burley kid trailers have the same maximum height recommendation of 41.25 inches. The weight capacity for a single child trailer is 75lbs, and a double trailer is 100lbs. The recommended max weight per child is 40lbs.”
How old should a child be to ride in a bike trailer?
The industry-wide recommendation is to wait until the child is at least one year old before riding in a bike trailer. However, children under 1 year of age can also ride in a bike trailer with the help of a special insert for infants or a car seat.
Although every child develops at a different rate, the reasoning behind the 1-year benchmark is that a child should be able to sit upright on their own while wearing a bicycle helmet. This ensures that the child has enough body strength to enjoy a ride in the bike trailer without experiencing too much aggressive back and forth bouncing.
Regardless of the age of your child, it is recommended to not ride aggressively on rough roads or at speeds above 10 mph (or 16 kph).
With that said, there are some cyclists who start bringing their child along for the ride at around 6 months old or younger! Depending on their physical development, this is entirely plausible. Ride at your own risk!
For a detailed explanation about age limits for bike trailers, read: How Old Should a Child Be to Ride in a Bike Trailer?
Can an infant ride in a bike trailer?
There are some cyclists who start bringing their child along for the ride at around 6 months old or even earlier. Depending on the physical development of the child, it is entirely possible to ride together with an infant by using either a special infant insert designed or an infant car seat.
An infant can safely ride in a bike trailer under these circumstances:
- The infant is in a car seat or infant insert while inside the bike trailer
- Traveling at low speeds under 10 mph (16 kph)
- Riding on smooth surfaces
I wrote an entire article on how to ride together with an infant, which you can check out here.
5 bike trailers with the highest weight limits
Below are four recommended top-rated bike trailers with high weight limits and at least 4.4-star reviews on Amazon. Plus, one special needs trailer that holds up to 150 lbs!
1. Burley Honey Bee Child Trailer
Price: Mid-range, around $400 (check price on Amazon)
Weight limit: 100 lbs (45 kg)
Stroller conversion: Yes
Seats: Double
2. Thule Coaster XT Bicycle Trailer
Price: Mid-range, around $430 (check price on Amazon)
Weight limit: 100 lbs (45 kg)
Stroller conversion: Yes
Seats: Double
3. Schwinn Joyrider Bike Trailer
Price: Entry-level, around $360 (check price on Amazon)
Weight limit: 100 lbs (45 kg)
Stroller conversion: Yes
Seats: Double
4. Burley D’Lite X, 2 Seat Kids Bike Trailer & Stroller
Price: High-end, around $850 (check price on Amazon)
Weight limit: 100 lbs (45 kg)
Stroller conversion: Yes
Seats: Double
5. Wike Special Needs Bike Trailer
Wicycle.com has bike trailers designed with larger children in mind. Their Special Needs Bike Trailers can accommodate individuals up to 5 foot 4 inches and 125 lbs with their Large Bike Trailer, and put o 5 foot 10 inches and 150 lbs with their Extra Large Bike Trailer.
Price: High-end, around $760 for Large, $900 for Extra Large (check prices for Large and Extra Large)
Weight limit: 125 lbs for Large, 150 lbs for Extra Large
Stroller conversion: Yes
Seats: Double
Dog bike trailer weight limits
Dog bike trailers have a different set of weight limits than kid trailers. Here’s a helpful table with popular dog trailer weight limits to give you an idea:
| BRAND | WEIGHT LIMIT | PRICE RANGE |
| Schwinn Rascal | 50 lbs | Around $150 (see price on Amazon) |
| Aosom | 66 lbs | Around $180 (see price on Amazon) |
| Best Choice Products | 66 lbs | Around $180 (see price on Amazon) |
| PetSafe Happy Ride | 110 lbs | Around $210 (see price on Amazon) |
| Burley Design Tail Wagon | 75 lbs | Around $400 (see price on Amazon) |
Read some solid riding tips with your dog here: Can a Dog Ride In a Bike Trailer? (Plus 5 Dog Riding Tips)
Conclusion
If you’re thinking about getting a trailer but not sure if it can hold the weight of your precious cargo, chances are there’s a bike trailer that will fit your situation. Trailers can hold a surprising amount of weight from 40 lbs all the way up to 150 lbs, and even two children.
I have been pulling two kids at a time in our bike trailers for years with no issues whatsoever. I hope this post has been helpful and you can take the next step to hit the trails with your family or pet.
Need help finding the right 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!
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