As the name suggests, a fat tire bike trailer is a trailer that comes standard with wide tires (aka Fat Tires). But there’s a bit more to them than that.
Keep reading to learn more…
Fat Bike Trailer
Fat Bike Trailers are motorless wheeled frames attached to your bikes and are meant to transport and carry cargo. Fat bike trailers increase your bike’s cargo capacity.
They are designed to be lightweight and durable, so they can handle heavy loads.
They also come in a variety of sizes and styles, ranging from single-wheeled trailers to full-sized cargo trailers.
Some models even have suspension systems that make them more comfortable to ride with.
Fat bike trailers are great for carrying camping gear, groceries, or any other items you need to transport.
In general, all fat tire mountain bike trailers are compatible with all types of bikes, including mountain bikes, road bikes, cruiser bikes, and hybrid bikes.
The only exception would be if the trailer is specifically designed for a certain type of bike, such as a mountain bike, or a specific brand of E-Bike.
In these cases, they may not be compatible with all types of bikes.
Using fat tire bike trailers only becomes complicated if you end up needing a need a specific type of axle to attach the trailer to.
Before you scout for your next (or first) fat bike trailer, it’s important to learn what type of rear wheel axle you have. This information will help you bike the best fat bike trailer apt for your bike.
A Fat tire bike trailer is primarily designed for bikes with standard quick-release bike wheels. If you own this type of bike, you shouldn’t have any issues attaching any type of fat bike trailers to your bike.
The only problem you may have when you have quick-release bikes is if you have hooded dropouts. Hooded dropouts often require a specific spacer attachment to give more clearance to attach the coupler.
Another axle commonly used in attaching fat bike trailers is thru-axles. These axles are found in newer bikes that use disc brakes and are thicker in diameter.
Thru-axles measure at least 12mm in diameters and don’t fit through the hole of the coupler hitch attachment of your bike.
An example of this is the Burley bike trailers. Standard fat bike trailers from this brand utilize a unique patented hitching system that guarantees excellent pivoting.
This feature isn’t optimized for disc brakes that use a 12mm thru-axle, which means you have to purchase and use additional attachments.
Fat Tire Bike Trailers to Watch
If you’re looking for a great Fat Bike Trailer for your off road (or on road) adventures, the Burley COHO XC is one of the best options around.
This trailer is specifically designed to handle rough off-road terrain and can carry up to 70 pounds of gear, making it a great choice for bike packing trips. The COHO XC has an adjustable suspension system that can be tuned for different terrains and its durable frame can handle everything from steep climbs to rocky descents.
The COHO XC has an innovative hitch system that ensures a secure attachment to your bike. Overall, the Burley COHO XC is a durable and versatile choice for any Fat Bike rider looking to carry gear on the trail.
Fat Tire Bike Child Trailer
Fat tire bike child trailers look similar to a carriage or chariot and provide convenience to you and your little ones. You just have to fasten your kids into their seats, and you can bike around with ease with your kids happily in tow!
A fat tire bike trailer for kids usually have an arm that secures the trailer to the bike frame. They come with connecting kits, so you can easily attach them to your bike.
Fat tire bike child trailers are great investments as they offer plenty of features. They usually have interior pockets for storage where you can keep keys, wallets, and kids’ toys or snacks.
These trailers are also designed with safety in mind because the seats come standard with a safety harness system, similar to a kid’s car seat.
This is an important feature because it helps keep your child secure and safe while you are riding with them.
What if you have more than one child?
You can easily find a bike trailer that has space for up to two kids, which makes it easy to take the entire family on a ride together.
If you’re looking for additional storage space, some models of trailers come with cargo pockets or panniers on the back so that you can bring along snacks, toys, or any other extra items that you might need.
When choosing the perfect trailer, consider how often you will be using it and what type of terrain you will be riding on.
If you live in an area with lots of hills and biking trails then a lightweight trailer might be best for your needs because they tend to do better on uneven terrain.
They are also easier to maneuver and can be folded up for easy storage.
Lightweight bike trailers are great for carrying groceries, small children, or even pets.
They come in a variety of sizes and styles so you should be able to find one that fits your needs perfectly.
If you live in an area that’s relatively flat, then a heavier-duty, sturdier model might be more suitable for your needs.
Some brands of fat tire bike child trailers even recline to provide a better sitting or napping position for your kiddos.
Some premium models come with parking brakes, so you can feel better knowing they won’t roll away when disconnected from your bike.
Some also have retractable windows and sunshades that provide ventilation to your kids and offer protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Keep these things in mind when making your decision and compare different products before making your purchase to ensure that you get the best possible value for your money.
Fat Tire Bike Cargo Trailer
A fat tire bike cargo trailer is a two-wheel trailer designed to carry large loads behind your bike. It gives you more flexibility with your bike loading space.
The best Fat tire bike cargo trailers are designed to be lightweight and easy to maneuver, so you can take them anywhere.
They feature wide tires that provide stability and traction on a variety of terrains.
These trailers have a low center of gravity which allows them to keep their balance when you’re navigating tight turns on singletrack.
With a fat tire bike cargo trailer, you’ll be able to haul more gear with ease.
Like other mountain bike cargo trailers, these are especially well-suited for offroad use!
By investing in the right-sized fat tire bike cargo trailer, you can carry almost anything — from kayak, coolers, and bows to hunting equipment and fishing rods.
If you have a small business that delivers goods, fat tire bike cargo trailers can also make deliveries a cheaper and simpler task.
The size of fat tire bike trailers range from single-wheel trailers to extra-large trailers.
To choose the right size fat tire bike trailer, consider your needs and lifestyle.
With the number of fat tire bike cargo trailers available today, I found three brands that are superior: QuietKat, Extrawheel, and Burley. I’ll discuss some features of these models below and include some notes on why they’re noteworthy.
QuietKat offers a variety of trailers that are perfect for those looking to haul their gear with them on their next off-road adventure.
QuietKat Trailers are designed to fit most QuietKat electric bikes and can be used for carrying cargo, camping gear, hunting equipment, fishing supplies, and more.
They feature an adjustable hitch system that easily attaches to the bike’s frame and a durable steel construction that is built to last.
The company’s trailers come in a variety of sizes, making it easy to find the perfect one for your needs.
Extrawheel makes trailers that are specifically designed for use with fat tire bikes.
The company’s trailers are made from lightweight materials, making them easy to tow behind your bike.
Extrawheel also offers a variety of accessories, so you can customize your trailer to meet your specific needs.
Burley makes a variety of trailers that are perfect for hauling gear on your next adventure.
The Burley COHO XC and the Burley Nomad are both equipped with large, durable tires that are perfect for off-road terrain.
Both trailers have a capacity of up to 100 lbs and feature adjustable suspension to make sure your cargo is secure.
The COHO XC also features a removable waterproof cover and the Nomad has an integrated storage bag so you can easily store your items while on the go.
Both trailers are designed to be easy to attach to any bike and fold down for convenient storage when not in use.
Burley also offers a wide range of accessories, so you can customize your trailer to meet your specific needs.
QuietKat Fat Bike Trailer
The QuietKat Fat Bike Trailer is considered a mountain bike trailer for hunting. It features two fat trailer tires instead of just one.
The trailer is designed to provide extra stability and traction on difficult terrain, such as sand, mud, and snow.
It can be used to transport a range of hunting equipment, including guns, bows, ammunition, decoys, and other supplies.
The trailer is equipped with an adjustable hitch that allows it to be towed behind any bike or ATV.
It also features a waterproof cover and a removable storage bin for easy packing and unpacking.
This mountain bike trailer is very well-suited for hauling large, heavy gear offroad.
Thanks to its two-wheel design, loading, and unloading is easy.
It also has a three-way adjustable rack angle and offers a lot of space for your gear or equipment.
One of the best features of the QuietKat Fat Bike Trailer is that it doubles as a hand cart so you can move heavy gear by hand with ease without having to attach it to your bike.
The QuietKat also tracks and corners really well when attached to your bike.
Extrawheel Mate Fat Bike Trailer
The Extrawheel Mate is less a Fat Tire Bike Trailer, and more of a third wheel with panniers.
The largest model comes standard with two 50L waterproof panniers that offer plenty of storage. It features a Fat Tire Wheel and a warning flag.
The Extrawheel Mate differs from others. It’s ideal for off-road riding and offers exceptional stability.
Its design also helps keep the front wheel of the bike on the ground, even on steep climbs.
The assembly of the Extrawheel Mate Fat Tire Bike Trailer is also easy as 1-2-3. You can hook this trailer to your bike within minutes and enjoy all its features!
Burley 16+ Fat Bike Wheel Kit
This list wouldn’t be complete without the Burley 16+ Fat Bike Wheel Kit!
The Burley brand is known to produce some of the best trailer bikes available anywhere. And their heavy-duty 16″ x 3” offroad wheel kit is no exception.
The Burley 16+ Fat Bike Wheel Kit is highly versatile. It can add a large measure of offroad stability and capability to Burley bike trailers like the Burley Coho XC and the Burley Nomad.
The knobby 16” sized wheels of the fat bike wheel kit are much more substantial and grippy than the standard wheels on Burley trailers.
They’re a great option if you want to maximize your Burley bike trailer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Trailer Tire Sizes Work?
Trailer tire size is just a measurement of the diameter of your bike tire (or bike trailer). So, a 26-inch bike wheel has a diameter of 26 inches.
A great majority of bike trailer tires come in 12, 16 or 20-inch sizes. As a rule, the larger the bike trailer wheel, the smoother the bike ride, and the better the tire tracks in a straight line. The smaller the bike wheel, the more nimble and jumpy they are to bumps and track changes.
For instance, a 20-inch bike trailer wheel will roll much smoother and absorb bumps much better than a smaller wheel diameter.
What is the best size bike trailer tire?
The best size bike trailer tire depends on what you will be using your bike trailer for.
If you plan on using your bike trailer for long-distance touring, then you will want to get a bike trailer with larger tires.
Larger tires roll over bumps and potholes better and easier than smaller tires.
They also provide a smoother ride on rough roads.
But larger tires can sometimes also be heavier than smaller tires.
If you plan on using your bike trailer for short trips around town, then you can more easily justify using a bike trailer with smaller tires, like those found on the Burley Travoy.
Smaller tires can sometimes be more convenient in tight spots, but they don’t roll over bumps as well as larger tires.
Are Bike Trailers Bad for Your Bike?
There is no definitive answer, as it depends on the specific bike trailer and how it is used.
Some trailers can put strain on your bike’s frame or wheels, and if not used properly, can cause damage to your bike.
When used correctly, bike trailers can be a great way to transport your gear and belongings without damaging your bike.
Generally speaking, bike trailers are not bad for your bike and you’ll probably never experience any issues.
But you should always follow the maximum weight capacity for your bike trailer to keep yourself and others around you safe.
Takeaway Points
Whether you are into bike touring, short-distance cargo hauling, or using your mountain bike trailer for hunting, if you haul cargo in your bike trailer, investing in a fat tire bike trailer is a smart investment.
It allows you to haul cargo over various terrain with minimal effort and without putting too much load on your bike or your body.
What’s next…
If you enjoyed this article, go check out my article How to Attach a Bike Trailer to a Mountain Bike!
Happy Cycling!
