A great mountain bike trailer is an essential piece of equipment!
For this reason, it’s important that you choose a trailer that has great build quality and is known for rock-solid reliability both on and off-road.
Keep reading to see my review of the best mountain bike trailers you can buy.
Best Mountain Bike Trailers
Here’s my list of top 5 picks for Best Mountain Bike Trailers:
Jump to Section:
- Burley Coho XC
- Best Overall Mountain Bike Trailer
- Burley Nomad
- Best Compact Bike Cargo Trailer
- Aosom Wanderer
- Best Cargo Bike Trailer On A Budget
- Burley Design Flatbed
- Best Heavy Duty Bike Cargo Trailer
- Burley Travoy
- Best Bike Cargo Trailer for Grocery Runs
Keep reading to learn more about these bike trailers.
Below we’ll get into the details about the best mountain bike trailers on the market today.
Best Overall Mountain Bike Trailer
Burley Coho XC
The Burley Coho XC is a great mountain bike trailer for its durability and functionality. The Coho is a single-wheel cargo trailer that is surprisingly stable while riding, given that it only has one wheel.
This trailer tracks very well behind your bike and will turn and weave through singletrack as well as your mountain bike.
There’s a good chance you won’t even notice you’re pulling the Coho behind you when riding on flat terrain, that’s how smooth this mountain bike trailer is.
The Coho XC makes it an excellent option for hauling your gear on mtn bike trailers for both long & short trips as well as bikepacking. It also offers lots of customizable features to maximize its overall utility.
The Burley Coho XC has an adjustable yoke that allows tool-free installation and adjustment on a hub width of 126 to 197 mm.
It has a height-adjustable kickstand to hold the trailer and the bike in place. You will also love its quick-release handle that allows you to disconnect the bike trailer with only one hand.
One drawback I noticed while riding is if you have to turn your bike back in the opposite direction, you’ll need ample space to pull a U-turns. Besides that, you’ll love this trailer. It’s incredibly well made & solid without being heavy or bulky.
Another drawback of the Coho XC is the fact that you’ll need a Burley Ballz Thru Axle or Coho 5mm Skewer in order to mount the Coho onto any standard bicycle.
See this hitch guide for details on which thru axle is needed to attach the Coho to your bike.
Burley Coho XC Technical specifications
- Capacity: 70 lbs
- Weight: 21.5 lbs
- Height: 21.25 in
- Width: 17 in
- Length: 66.5 in
- Wheel size: 16 in
Special features
- Coil-spring suspension
- Hitching system
- Burley Ballz™ dual ball hitch
- Adjustable width yoke
- Height-adjustable kickstand
- One-hand release handle
- Removable side panels
- Large cargo area
- Compatible rear fork for two tire options
- Accessory mounts for tools and bottle cages
- Level frame and fender
- Tool-free breakdown
- Flag holder
- Coho Pannier Rack (optional)
- Pannier Set (optional)
- Aluminum frame
Burley Coho XC Accessories
The Burley Coho XC can also accommodate several optional accessories that add some impressive features & benefits to this trailer.
Bulrley Dry Bag
The Dry Bag is a waterproof bag made to keep your belongings dry during rides. It’s made of tarp material and fits snugly into the cargo area of the Coho XC.
Burley Pannier Set
This pannier set are waterproof bags that fit into the optional Coho Pannier Rack. These allow for more items to be loaded onto your Coho Bike Trailer.
Burley Pannier Rack
The Coho Pannier Rack attaches to the rear wheel of the Coho XC. This accessory extends the storage of the Coho by quite a lot. This really comes in handy on long trips.
Burley 16+ Wheel Kit
The 16+ wheel kits is an extra heavy duty trailer wheel for the Coho trailer. This wheel is made for extra traction on trails, mud and snow.
Burley 5mm Skewer
The 5mm skewer is needed to attach the Coho XC to rear bike axle. Be sure to check Burley’s fit guide to see which axle adapter is right for your bike.
Best Compact Bike Cargo Trailer
Burley Nomad
The Burley Nomad is made for long-distance cycling, though it’s also a great choice for mountain biking and hitting offroad trails!
Due to its wide wheelbase and low center of gravity, this trailer is known for stability and a smooth ride. This high-end, nimble bike trailer makes a great companion for short or long-distance rides.
The rolling resistance of the Burley Nomad is very low, which is a huge benefit when hauling loads on your bike!
The Nomad also has a reputation for durability & utility because of its strong 6061-T6 aluminum frame, its impressive amount of carrying capacity, and its high-quality weatherproof materials.
The Nomad also comes standard with superior quality 16-inch Burley wheels, which I have to say is the best and smoothest bike trailer wheels you can find.
Even though the Nomad has a compact design, it can fit an impressive of cargo inside its spacious cargo area.
Couple all this with the fact that the Nomad also folds flat for easy transport & storage, and you’ve got a powerhouse of a mountain bike trailer that’s pretty much “the complete package”.
Burley Nomad Technical specifications
- Carrying capacity: 100 lbs
- Weight: 16.8 lbs
- Height: 22.5 in
- Width: 22 in
- Length: 32.5 in
- Wheel size: 16 in
- Attaches to: Rear axle of bike
Special features
- Strong, lightweight aluminum frame
- Durable polyester sides & bottom
- Roomy cargo area
- Easy to assemble
- Interior clips make it easy to tie down gear
- Large interior mesh pockets for organizing items
- Aluminum tow arm
- Weatherproof tarpaulin cargo area cover
- Burley bicycle hitch
- Folds flat for easy storage
- Flex connector allows trailer to remain upright even when bike is on its side
- Six reflectors on the back, front and wheels keep you and your trailer visible at night
Burley Nomad Accessories
Nomad Cargo Rack
This cargo rack fastens to the Nomad and increases the storage area of your bike cargo trailer.
Burley Ski Kit
The Ski Kit fastens onto the Nomad to allow the Nomad to travel easily through the snow.
Best Cargo Bike Trailer On A Budget
Aosom Wanderer
For a budget-friendly alternative, you should take a look the Aosom Wanderer bike trailer. This one has the highest carrying capacity among the bike trailers featured here. The Wanderer can carry up to 110 lbs,
It is also less expensive than most mountain bike trailers, but that doesn’t mean it has less to offer. The Aosom Wanderer has a wagon design with two wheels.
This is an all-around sturdy, durable, and versatile bike trailer. It’s easy to set up and with a straightforward design that’s actually a pleasure to use.
The only downsides you should be aware of with this bike trailer are its weight, and that it has a tendency to rattle.
Though I’ve found the rattling can be mostly eliminated by applying clear RTV sealant to the places where frame sections connect together.
The Aosom Wanderer is a good option if you’re looking more for functionality than appearance.
It’s a great alternative to some of the higher-priced mtn bike trailers on this list but is maybe not the best option on this list for hauling gear offroad or on long-distance rides.
Aosom Wanderer Technical specifications:
- Carrying capacity: 88 to 110 lbs
- Weight: 22.05 lbs
- Height: 19.25
- Width: 28.25
- Length: 54.75 in
- Wheel size: 16 in
- Attaches to: Rear axle of bike
Special features:
- Strong & lightweight steel frame
- Solid PE bottom
- Steel drawbar
- Easy to assemble
- Sides can fold inwards
- One Aosom type B bicycle hitch
- Quick-release wheels
- Four reflectors on the back and wheels
Best Heavy Duty Bike Cargo Trailer
Burley Design Flatbed
The Burley Design Flatbed is a two-wheel bike trailer that turns any bike into a cargo bike. This is a super useful and easy-to-use cargo bike trailer, and its utility simply can’t be overstated!
The Flatbed can carry up to 100 lbs of cargo. It’s side panels fold down flat and both ends are open-ended which allows for longer items to easily fit on the trailer.
Items that don’t usually fit inside other mtn bike trailers cargo bays are easily accommodated by the Flatbed. This makes for a more versatile and extremely useful in all sorts of cargo hauling situations.
The Flatbed cargo bike trailer is also very lightweight. Weighing in at just over 15 lbs, this trailer punches above its weight in terms of capacity.
Its premium 16-inch wheels ensure a smooth ride on different types of terrain.
The compact design of the Burley Flatbed is made to go anywhere your bike can go. It is also very stable with low rolling resistance and a low center of gravity. These traits greatly increase the Flatbed’s utility!
Burley Flatbed Technical specifications:
- Carrying capacity: 100 lbs
- Trailer weight: 15.4 lbs
- Height: 16.1 in
- Width: 30.9 in
- Length: 33 in
- Wheel size: 16 in
- Attaches to: Rear axle of bike
Special features:
- Strong, lightweight aluminum frame
- Two-wheel chassis
- Burley hitch system
- 16 inches spoked alloy wheels with quick removal push-button release
- Folds flat for easy storage
- Includes tow arm and hitch
- Flex connector
Burley Flatbed Accessories
The Burley Flatbed can also accommodate optional accessories that add some impressive features & benefits to this trailer.
Burley Cargo Bungee Net
This cargo net will keep your belongings in place on the Burley Flatbed. Comes with 6 hooks that attach to the trailer frame.
Best Bike Cargo Trailer for Grocery Runs
Burley Travoy
The Burley Travoy has a completely different design compared to the others on this list. And some may argue that the Travoy isn’t really a “Mountain Bike Trailer”, but because of it’s exceptional utility and outstanding design, the Travoy is worth covering in this article.
Unlike most cargo bike trailers, the Burley Travoy has an upright design with an integrated tote bag that makes it the perfect trailer for hauling stackable cargo and other knocking out other cargo hauling errands closer to home.
Its unique structure allows it to carry different kinds of items no matter their size and shape. It is easy to fold and store in a bag when you are not using it.
You can bring it anywhere without taking up too much space and utilize it from then on.
The most recent feature update is its extendable attachment point that provides extra clearance between the trailer and the wheel to avoid rubbing.
It used to have a detachable tote bag included in every purchase, but you will have to buy it separately now.
The Burley Travoy’s design is specially made for everyday commute and rides around the neighborhood.
It features a quick hitch system, an extendable tow arm, and more to ensure maximum functionality.
Unlike the other mountain bike trailers on this list, the Burley Travoy can convert into a super useful hand cart. It goes from a bike trailer to a hand cart in just a few seconds. This extra functionality of this bike trailer is a huge advantage pretty much wherever you go.
Out on the trails, at home, or in the grocery store, the usefulness of the Travoy’s hand cart feature simply can’t be overstated.
If you’re looking for a great trailer for hauling gear, groceries, luggage, or oddly shaped items, the Burley Travoy is definitely a must see!
Burley Travoy Technical specifications:
- Carrying capacity: 60 lbs
- Weight: 11.7 lbs
- Height: 43 in
- Width: 22 in
- Length: 14 in
- Wheel size: 12.5 in
- Attaches to: Bike’s seatpost
Special features:
- Quick hitch system
- Integrated wheel guards
- Extendable tow arm
- Wide kickstand for better stability
- Tow arm grip padding
- Compact fold
- Includes Travoy tie-down straps
- Storage bag (optional item)
- Quick-release attachment
- Bracket for lighting accessories
- 12-inch quick installation of push-button wheels
Burley Travoy Accessories
The Burley Travoy can also accommodate several optional accessories that add some impressive features & benefits to this trailer.
Burley Upper Market Bag
This handy storage bag doubles as a shopping bag and fits conveniently onto the Burley Travoy.
Burley Lower Market Bag
The lower market bag can carry an impressive amount of stuff. It’s functional, durable, and can be easily carried around using its strong side handles.
It also attaches securely to the Travoy bike trailer using stowable bag clips.
Single-Wheel Bike Trailers
Single-wheel bike trailers are generally much better in offroad and singletrack situations. This is because their low center of gravity allows these trailers to naturally track along with the bicycle.
The single wheel also offers less rolling resistance than two-wheeled trailers which makes them easier to tow behind your bike.
Single-wheel trailers are generally known to be easier to maneuver as well. They can fit through narrow tracks better and make some pretty tight turns out on the trails.
Two-wheel Bike Trailers
Two-wheel mountain bike trailers are the better option for balance and stability while on even terrain, but can sometimes jostle about a bit when on very uneven terrain.
This makes centering the load properly in the trailer even more important. Two-wheel trailers can stand on their own when attached to a bike which makes loading and unloading pretty easy & convenient.
Two-wheel trailers usually come typically have wider bodies than single-wheel trailers and take up a bit more of the trail as a result.
Analysis and Test Results
Now that we’ve discussed my picks for best mountain bike trailers let’s discuss the performance of each bike trailer and see which one(s) stand out from the group according to the following factors:
Mountain Bike Trailer Value for money
Best Value for Money
Burley COHO XC & Aosom Wanderer
The first thing to look for when choosing a mountain bike trailer is its value. A higher price doesn’t necessarily mean better quality & functionality.
There are many bike trailers out there that you can buy at various price ranges. And each offers different features.
As a rule, I consider whether a trailer is worth its cost based on its features and reputation. In the case of the products above, which one is the most valuable for the money?
If you plan to use your trailer every day, it’s probably best to invest a bit more money in a higher-end trailer that’s well known for quality & reliability.
Take the Burley Coho XC, for example. Because of its many features and overall stability during long bike rides, it may warrant a higher price tag.
This is a good trailer to consider if you’re looking for a very stable and functional bike trailer with a rock-solid reputation for reliability.
The Aosom Wanderer on the other hand, is a much simpler & more straightforward option. It has a much lower price tag, and it certainly doesn’t have all the features of the Burley COHO XC but it’s still a great bike trailer for hauling loads shorter distances.
One big plus of the Aosom Wanderer is its cargo capacity. It can carry up to 110 pounds of cargo. This makes it the highest capacity bike trailer among all the products listed in this article.
The Burley Travoy and Burley Flatbed are both excellent bike trailers, but compared to the COHO XC & the Wanderer, they don’t offer as much value for money considering their higher price.
In terms of value for money, the Burley Coho XC and the Aosom Wandered scored the highest. The Coho XC is great for its outstanding features while the Wanderer is the best budget-friendly option.
Mountain Bike Trailer Capacity
Best Capacity Burley Flatbed
If you’re looking for the bike trailer with the largest capacity, that would be the Aosom Wanderer. It has a large enclosed cargo bay and offers an impressive weight capacity of 88 to 110 lbs and a width of 28.25 inches. This is more than the COHO XC.
The Wanderer’s wagon-like structure and rigid tube frame also allows for overpacking, and as long as the load is centered properly in the trailer, there should be minimal effects on the trailer’s stability. This is a great option for shorter runs with heavier than normal loads.
On the other hand, the Burley Travoy has the least trailer capacity at only 60 lbs. This bike trailer is not the best option for hauling gear log distances, but it does a great job carrying oddly shaped items due to its unique configuration.
The Burley COHO XC has a trailer capacity of 70 lbs. It has a much larger cargo space than most single-wheel bike trailers, which is a big plus, but it also can haul much less weight than some of its competition.
In terms of weight capacity, I would choose the Burley Flatbed. It has a reputation for durability, and even though it can carry 100 pounds, compared to the Wanderer’s 110 pounds, the Flatbed’s reputation gives it the edge in this department.
Mountain Bike Trailer Ease of Use
Easiest to Use Coho XC
This one is a toss-up between the Coho XC and the Burley Nomad. Both trailers have a great list of features. But for several reasons, I prefer the Coho XC in this arena.
If you value convenience as much as functionality, it’s important to look at the useability of the product. You should consider how easy or difficult the hitch system of the trailer is, as this comes into play when attaching & detaching your bike trailer to your bike.
The COHO XC comes with a quick-release hitch system that allows you to remove the trailer from the bike with only one hand.
And the kickstand on the COHO is also super handy because it stabilizes the trailer on the ground maintaining its balance when loading & unloading, or when it’s not connected to your bike.
The COHO is also easy to load, but you also need to be careful when loading your bike trailer. It’s important to keep the loads balanced in the cargo compartment.
A balanced cargo load in your trailer will help prevent it from swaying when you ride.
For the heavier items, you will want to place heavier items near the center of the cargo compartment and place the lighter items along the sides of the compartment.
Among the trailers in this article, the COHO XC is by far the easiest to use, given its utility and many features.
The many features of this bike trailer are simple and intuitive to use. Once the trailer is assembled, operation is easy & tool-free.
From the quick hitch to the kickstand, to the ability to easily fold it, the COHO XC is a clear standout.
Mountain Bike Trailer Smoothness
Smoothest Trailer Burley COHO XC
The main factors that impact trailer smoothness are:
- Balance & Stability
- Suspension
- Number of Wheels
- Wheel Quality
- Frame Quality
Again, the COHO XC is considerably the most versatile bike trailer on this list. It checks all the boxes in the list above.
In terms of wheel quality, Burley bike trailers have the best quality wheels.
Aside from its 70 lbs capacity, the COHO’s single-wheel feature makes it easier to maneuver. Two-wheel trailers tend to have more issues with stability when traveling bumpy roads & trails.
As well, some larger capacity bike trailers can be harder to control when things get bumpy.
The COHO XC also has an adjustable coil spring suspension that helps to keep it stable even when traveling rough and uneven roads.
The other bike trailers on this list do not feature an adjustable suspension so this is just one more way the Coho XC provides the smoothest ride.
The weight of bike trailers will also affect the smoothness of the ride. Two-wheel bike trailers are more likely to weigh more, which means you have to work harder to gain and keep your momentum.
Of the bike trailers on this list, the COHO XC offers the smoothest and quietest ride.
Mountain Bike Trailer Versatility
Most Versatile Burley Coho XC
Versatility may be one of the most important features to look for in a mountain bike trailer.
Being well-suited for offroad riding is great, but your ideal trailer should also be versatile enough to take on any errands around town you may have.
The Burley Coho XC is a great example of a highly versatile mountain bike trailer because besides being a champ on single track, you can count on it being a solid companion for any errands you may have around town.
Load it up with items, gear, groceries, or whatever, this trailer will get it done for you.
The Burley Nomad is another highly versatile trailer due to its weatherproof cargo area cover, and impressive cargo space, given its compact size.
This kind of versatility just adds to the value for money of these bike trailers!
Another feature of the Burley Coho XC is its hitch system that allows the bike trailer to move independently from the bike. This is helpful when you need maneuverability on challenging trails.
Conclusion
Mountain bike trailers are essential equipment for anyone looking to carry their gear with them on bike rides and the right mountain bike trailer is more than a tool, it’s more like a trusty companion you’ll come to depend on for years.
Feel free to return to this guide and use it as a resource to help you choose the best bike trailer for you!
What’s Next…
If you enjoyed this article go check out my article Mountain Bike Cargo Trailer.
Happy Cycling!
