Do You Really Need A Bike Trailer?
This is the first question that you need to ask yourself before stepping out to get a trailer. The first prerequisite is that you need to own a bicycle, as the bike trailer is attached directly to your bicycle.
If yes, then the following factors are essential to consider before making a purchase:
Your Dog's Temperament
Dogs have different temperaments, and it would be nice to check on yours to be sure if it can fit perfectly in an outside environment.
A mild-tempered canine will be calm on the outside and will seldom cause any disturbance. The contrary is true for a more active canine that can be hard to manage even in the presence of a handler. It may create a scene, and even with a bike trailer, it may be hard to handle it.
Do You Have The Time?
You also need to check on your schedule and ascertain that you can find ample time to use the doggie bike trailer by taking your pooch out.
If you are a very busy person with little time to spare, then purchasing a bike trailer might not be a priority for your pooch. However, if you have a lot of free time to hang with your furry friend, then a bicycle trailer can be a great option.
Are There Parks Nearby?
If you have a park or a relaxing area within your house, then having a bike trailer for your furry friend can be a nice addition.
This is because you need roads that are suitable for the dog bike trailer to be used on. It is not recommended to bring your bicycle trailer on dirt paths as the wheels could be stuck.
Is Your Pooch Healthy?
Your dog's health should be put into consideration before deciding on getting a trailer. You need to ensure that your pooch has all its vaccinations in check and will not pose any health threat to people and other dogs.
Also, you need to ensure that your dog is not affected by any weather conditions such as the cold.
Other Factors To Consider
Once you have decided to buy a dog bike trailer, you need to consider some factors so that you will choose the right product. This will prevent you from wasting money on a trailer that isn't right and fitting to your 4-legged friend. Here are some pointers to look out for:
Price
Price is one of the critical factors that you should consider before purchasing a dog bike trailer. You should go for one that matches your financial means and preventing you from going overboard with your spending.
In our guide, we have listed down a few pricier and some economical options that will help you to make that purchasing decision better. It is also advisable to check out your local retailer to see if they have any ongoing discounts or promotions on the bike trailers.
Research to combine the different features and choose the one that best suits your budget. If you are on a tight budget, you can opt for used dog bike trailers which are way cheaper than their new versions.
Size Of Your Dog
This is an important factor that you should not ignore.
Dog bike trailers generally come in a variety of sizes to meet the requirements of various breeds. There are trailers meant for small dogs, medium dogs, and even large dogs. A small pooch may fit into a large trailer, but it will not be that comfortable for it.
As such, make sure that the dog bike trailer is big enough to fit the size of your canine companion.
For smaller dogs, you can consider a dog bike basket instead.
Weight Of Dog
You also need to check on the weight of your pooch as the dog bike trailers come in weight classes. A mismatch will affect the dog bike trailer.
For example, if you have an 80-pound dog on a 65-pound limit trailer, the dog's weight will lead to the broken trailer as a result of the strain exerted.
Accessories & Additional Features
Some trailers come equipped with additional features and accessories such as a leash or a cargo roof rack. Others may provide spare parts or repair kits. It is good to go for dog bike trailers with such additional features as they come in handy when you want to make repairs on your dog's bike trailer.
Terrain
The terrain in your area is also a huge factor in the type of trailer you will purchase. This factor mainly focuses on the type of wheels that the dog bike trailer should have. For a paved area, any types of wheel are suitable, and you have a vast range of trailers to choose from.
However, if you are in a region that has rough terrain, you will need to look for bike trailers with special wheels suitable for such terrains. You can go for the pneumatic or inflatable wheels which will provide your dog with a comfortable ride even over a rough road.
You can also opt for trailers that have suspensions if the road in your area is rough. These will help in providing a comfortable ride to your pooch. However, do bear in mind that these options will definitely be more expensive.
Storage Space
When not in use, the bike trailer should be kept away. For this reason, you need to consider the storage space available before making a purchase.
If you have little storage space in your house, you should opt for smaller options or go for the foldable ones that can be collapsed into smaller sizes for storing.
Quality
You need to examine the quality of the dog bike trailer in different aspects such as durability and resistance to forces such as impact and corrosion.
A durable bike trailer is the best as it will serve you and your pooch for ages with minimal chances of it wearing off. Most of the time, durable and strong trailers come at a hefty price tag which is worth it as you will spend relatively less on repairs.
Safety
Most dog owners really adore their pets and therefore want the best for their safety. For this reason, having a great trailer that will prove safe is a number one factor to consider. In this aspect, one will have to consider if the dog bike trailers meet the set safety standards.
A dog bike trailer with features and accessories such as a safety harness and shock absorbers for suspension on the rear wheel will be a plus. Safety from natural elements such as wind, sunlight, and rain is also considered, and trailers with a windscreen or a solar cover will top the preference list.
Related: Best Dog Sunglasses
Number of Dogs
Once you own one dog, the urge to get another increases by the day as you see how cute and friendly the pup is. If you have more dogs, then this factor needs to be a huge consideration before making the purchase. There are special dog bike trailers meant for multiple dog sittings and accommodating up to four doggies at a time. This can be a good purchase if you want to take your whole puppy troop for a walk.
