So you have more than one kid, or you’re about to have more than one kid (good luck!), and you need to haul them all. A double bike trailer is often the easiest, most cost effective way to carry multiple children by bike.
(That said, it’s certainly not the only way to carry multiple kiddos by bicycle. Keep reading for some other options later on).
There also happen to be a TON of double trailers on the market which can make things a little confusing. Start digging a little deeper and you’ll find that there a bunch of different features you can choose from including suspension and convertible trailers that convert to a stroller or jogger.
If that all feels a little overwhelming, we’ve tested and researched dozens of trailers for you and narrowed them down to what we consider the 5 Best Double Bike Trailers. We’ve also added in some honorable mentions that didn’t make our top spots but that are high-quality and that might be a little gentler on the wallet.
Trailer | What We Love | Price | |
1 | Thule Chariot Cross 2 | Suspension, convertible kits | $1,349.95 * |
2 | Burley D’Lite | Durability | $999 |
3 | Hamax Outback Double | Plentiful storage | $699 |
4 | Croozer Vaaya | Air suspension | €1,150/€1,300 |
5 | Wike Moonlite | Roomy interior | * |
*Amazon prices updated 2023-03-08 at 02:41 – More info
Thule Chariot Cross 2
The Thule Chariot Cross is like the Mercedes-Benz of bike trailers. It’s the favorite of nearly every super-active family I know, including my own.
The Cross is the highest-end version and includes suspension, convertible kits for jogging and skiing, and works in all weather conditions.
It comes in both a single seat and double seat version so you can haul either one kid or two.
Read Review: Thule Chariot Cross
Price: $1,349.95 (Last updated: 2023-06-09 at 03:09 – More Info)
Burley Cub
As a parent, you know that everything that kids come in contact with get abused. That’s why we like the Burley D’Lite–it’s tough.
Let kids jump in the rubberized floor mat, crawl over the aluminum frame, and spill juice on the water-resistant material. Everything will be okay.
Like the Thule Chariot, the Burley D’Lite has suspension and convertible kits.
Read Review: Burley D’Lite
Price (MSRP): $999
Hamax Outback Double
The Hamax Outback is comparable to both the Thule Chariot Cross and the Burley Cub but is a bit more affordable, making it
There’s also plentiful storage in the Hamax Outback which makes it nice if you need to carry a diaper bag, groceries, a picnic, or whatever.
Read Review: Hamax Outback
Price (MSRP): $699
Croozer Vaaya
Croozer isn’t as well known as other trailers on this list, but is just as high-quality. The Croozer Vaaya comes in a double trailer offering, and has all the bells and whistles you would expect from a premium trailer–and then some.
The Vaaya is a step above most thanks to it’s air suspension and climatex® seats. The only thing to be aware of is that if you live in the U.S., there is no dealer. You’ll have to put in a bit of work to get one.
If you live in Europe, you’ll have no problem snagging a Croozer. x
Read Review: Croozer Vaaya
Price (MSRP): €1,150/€1,300
Wike Moonlite
Here’s a trailer that doesn’t look like all the other trailers. In addition to
Price: $499.00 (Last updated: 2023-05-11 at 18:13 – More Info)
Honorable Mentions: Double Bicycle Trailers
Listed above are what we consider “the best” double bike trailers. That said, not everybody needs “the best.”
Maybe you just need a trailer to ride to the playground every once in a while and you don’t want or need all the bells and whistles. That’s fine too.
Here are some trailers that aren’t our FAVORITES, but that are good quality and should be on your radar. We’ve tried to include some double trailers across the budget spectrum.
Burley Bee
The Burley Bee is one of the best-selling bike trailers around and for good reason. It has everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s simple, straightforward, and durable.
For a bike-only trailer, this is our top pick. The price is right and nothing has been sacrificed in terms of safety or quality.
Read Our Review: Burley Bee
Price (MSRP): $349
Wike Junior
The Wike Junior is comparable to the Burley Bee (listed above). It works as both a bike trailer and bike stroller.
We like that it is competitively priced and is well made. The Junior has plenty of space for two kids and cargo as well.
Read Our Review: Wike Junior
Price: $279.99 (Last updated: 2023-05-16 at 08:10 – More Info)
Thule Coaster XT
The Coaster is the no-frills sibling of the Thule Chariot. It does convert to a stroller but lacks the additional conversion kits of the Chariot.
That said, it has the same durable aluminum roll-cage, all-weather capability, and 5-point harnesses. If you just want a high-quality bike trailer, the Coaster is it.
Read Review: Thule Coaster XT
Price: $549
Allen Sports Deluxe
The best thing about the Allen trailer is how lightweight it is. At only 27 pounds, it is lighter than many trailers on this list, and still manages to haul 100 pounds worth of kids.
This is the cheapest trailer on our list and is one of few “budget” trailers that offers 20″ tires on real wheels).
Read Our Review: Allen Sports Deluxe
Price: $115.00 (Last updated: 2023-06-06 at 16:54 – More Info)
Schwinn Joyrider
We think that the Schwinn Joyrider has one of the coolest and most usable designs around. The trailer converts to a stroller quickly and easily which means you can bike to the farmer’s market and then push the kids around once you get there.
We like that the canopy simply closes rather than needing to be zipped or velcroed which in our experience saves a lot of time when you are constantly opening it to help kids.
Price: $443.23 (Last updated: 2023-06-02 at 04:37 – More Info)
Alternatives to a Double Bike Trailer
Before buying a double bike trailer, make sure that a bike trailer is really your best option. Many parents just assume that their ONLY option is a bike trailer. That’s not true.
Other options for parents wanting to haul multiple kids is a cargo bike (this is often the BEST option though not the most inexpensive option), a double trailer-cycle like the Weehoo, or some combination of solutions such as a single trailer-cycle and a front-mounted bike seat.
You might also want to check out this article for even more ideas:
How to Choose a Bike Trailer
There are 8 things to consider when choosing a bicycle trailer for hauling kids. I’ll go into them briefly here, but if you want even more information before buying, read our article on how to choose a bicycle trailer as well.
#1 Single vs Double
Since you’re reading this article, I’ll assume you’ve already narrowed this down and know that you need a double trailer.
#2 Conversion
Do you want a trailer that acts solely as a bicycle trailer or one that can be used as a stroller, bicycle jogger, or even as a cross-country ski (or fat-bike) trailer?
The cheapest and most straightforward option is to choose a trailer that is a bike trailer and nothing else. That said, if you think you might use it for any other sports, it can often be much cheaper to buy a convertible trailer, and it opens up a lot of options for outdoor recreation.
#3: Budget
You can expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $1,500 for a bike trailer. That’s a mind-boggling range, I know.
At the low-end of the budget spectrum, trailers lack any extras. Expect to find a basic bicycle trailer without suspension, that might be a little heavy, and might not last more than a year or two. For many families, this is okay.
At the high-end of the spectrum, you’ll find many of the trailers on our “Top 5” list. These have suspension, work in all
Most families will fall somewhere in between. For a good-quality trailer that doesn’t have a ton of extras but will last for years, expect to spend around $250-$500.
#4: Suspension
One of the biggest budget differentiaters is suspension. Add it, and things start to get pricey quick. That makes it one of the easier things to cross of the list if you’re on a tight budget.
That said, if you can manage the extra cash, suspension does make for a more comfortable ride for your kiddos, especially if you are riding on rail trails or dirt roads. Even just riding around town, you’ll discover there are lots of curbs, potholes, and uneven roads that make having suspension nice.
#5: Storage Space
Almost no parent manages to go anywhere without lots of stuff. There are always spare clothes, diapers, snacks, and toys to haul along.
That’s why we like paying attention to storage space when picking a trailer. It’s also good to have a mix of exterior or trunk storage for things like library books and jackets, and some interior storage for water bottles, pacifiers, and small toys.
#6: Rain and Shade Covers
If you plan on doing lots of bike riding, you’ll want a trailer than can handle lots of different weather conditions. We like having a trailer that can manage rain and snow, as well as one that has plenty of ventilation and protection from the sun on hot days.
#7: Weight
Pulling two kids plus their stuff is a lot of work. It becomes even more work if the trailer itself is heavy. I’d reccomend every parent take a look at the weight of the different trailers they are considering before buying.
#8: Infant Inserts
If you are planning on biking with a baby, choose a trailer that offers infant inserts as an option. Thule and Burley are probably the two best known trailer manufacturers for this.
For other options, read our article on biking with a baby.
Comparison Chart: Double Bike Trailers
Know that you know a little bit more about what to look for when choosing a bike trailer, use this comparison chart to narrow down your options.
Trailer | Trailer Weight | Stroller? | Jogger? | Suspension? | Interior Dimensions (Height x Width) | Max Passenger Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thule Chariot Cross 2 | 31.96 lb | Yes | Yes | Yes | 27" x 31.5" | 100 lbs |
Burley D'Lite | 30.4 lbs | Yes | Yes | Yes | 24 x 26" | 100 lbs |
Burley Bee | 19.95 lbs | No | No | No | 27.5" x 22" | 100 lbs |
Allen Sports Deluxe | 27 lbs | Yes | No | No | 23" x 22" | 100 lbs |
Wike Moonlight | 22 lbs | No | No | No | 30" x 24" | |
Schwinn Joyride | 40 lbs | Yes | No | No | 80 lbs | |
Hamax Outback 2 | 40 lbs | Yes | Yes | Yes | 88 lbs | |
Croozer Vaaya | 39 lbs | Yes | Yes | Yes | 99 lbs |
Even More Double Bike Trailer Options
We’ve narrowed down our favorite bike trailer options for you above to help cut through all the noise. That said, if you want even MORE options, here is a list of other double bike trailers on the market that we would recommend. We’ve linked to our reviews where available.
- Thule Courier* ($799) – Can convert from a kid bike trailer to a cargo trailer or a pet trailer.
- Thule Cadence ($349) – A bike-only trailer from our favorite trailer brand.
- Burley Encore X ($649) – A great introductory multi-sport trailer.
- Burley Honeybee ($479) – Lightweight bike trailer and stroller.
- Hamax Traveller ($449) – Easily converts from a bike trailer to a stroller within a minute.
- Qeridoo Kidgoo ($800) – Large rear trunk and storage pockets with magnetic closures.
Thanks so much for this info! Super helpful! Some of the amazon links aren’t working and I don’t want to buy the wrong one. I’d love to know when you update these. Thanks again for putting all the work in to this!