Trailers for eMTBs: what to consider?

Hitching a trailer to your eMTB is more than just a means of transport. It combines practicality, such as transporting the kids, dogs or other cargo, with sustainability – allowing you to leave your car in the garage. We interviewed the president of Burley about things to consider before buying a trailer.

If you look at the roads you’ll find confirmation of the official sales figures such as those from the German bicycle industry board (Zweirad-Industrie-Verband (ZIV)): ebikes are becoming increasingly popular, with sales rising rapidly. Bicycle trailers, for kids as well as for cargo, have long become a familiar sight in traffic. It only makes sense to combine the pleasant (motorised assistance and thus less strain when hauling a trailer) with the practical (easier, safer and more environmentally friendly transport of children and cargo).

But before you turn your eMTB into a workhorse, there are a few important aspects to consider before buying and pulling a trailer. Are the bike and trailer compatible? What preparations are needed? What about bike handling and safety? To answer these and other question, we interviewed Allison Coughlin, president of the trailer brand, Burley.

A look at the streets and official figures confirms: ebikes are no longer the exclusive domain of senior citizens. The younger generations has also discovered ebikes and pedelecs for themselves. How do you see this trend?

Allison Coughlin: At Burley, we are very excited about the growing popularity of emobility in cycling, as trailer use is much more enjoyable with an ebike. Whether parents who want to transport their children in an environmentally friendly way or more ambitious riders who want to take on longer rides with a lot of luggage – it’s a lot easier with the help of an electric motor, regardless of age.

The basic requirement, of course, is that the bike and trailer are compatible…

Allison Coughlin: … and that the bike manufacturer has certified the bike for pulling a trailer. You should definitely find out about this before buying. As far as compatibility is concerned, we already offer a number of special thru-axles in various lengths, covering most ebike designs available on the market. Of course, we also keep an eye on future trends to always have the necessary solutions available.

Safety and handling play an important role in the use of trailers. What else should be considered when pulling a trailer with an ebike?

Allison Coughlin: In Germany, the law states that trailers may only be towed up to a maximum speed of 25 km/h with a pedelec. S-Pedelecs are not allowed. When transporting children, the rider also has to be at least 16 years old. Regardless of legal requirements, you should bear in mind that it’s much easier to reach higher speeds with an ebike. You’ve got to be cautious and proactive, to allow for a longer stopping distance and only ride at the speed at which you know you can safely control your bike and trailer at all times. Our recommended speed limits also apply to ebikes: 24 km/h on even, straight roads, 8 km/h in corners or on unpaved roads.

Do you have any tips for riding with a trailer?

Allison Coughlin: Whether it’s a conventional bike or an ebike, a trailer adds weight, making the bike feel different and perhaps less responsive. Larger rocks, tall curbs, hard braking or sudden steering manoeuvres should be avoided if possible. You should also keep in mind that the trailer is typically wider than the bike and that the radius of the arc you’re following is usually smaller for the trailer than for the bike. It is essential, therefore, to keep enough distance to obstacles. Our tip for trailer novices: before going out into traffic, load the (child) trailer up with cargo and practice critical riding situations and navigating tight passages, in a safe, open area. An empty parking lot or a wide bike path would be ideal. That way you can familiarise yourself with the handling in your own time.

Safety is our top priority. We’ve compiled a checklist for riding with a (child) trailer, which you can refer back to at any time.

Monthly safety check – more often in the beginning:

• check all the hardware such as the trailer hitch, drawbar, flex connection and frame for damage
• make sure that the bolts are tightened
• check tires for wear and cracks
• check wheels for correct balance and damage
• examine all fabric for tears, wear and missing material

Check or consider the following points before each trip:

Apart from the important issue of safety, we’ve got one last practical question that many may ask themselves: how does a trailer affect an ebike’s battery consumption?

Allison Coughlin: Battery consumption depends on the load on the battery. The greater the weight, the more battery power is needed. The terrain, riding conditions and weather can also affect the battery life. Depending on the route (whether mainly flat, lots of climbing, continuous riding or city traffic with a lot of stop-and-go, etc.) and support mode, you can have range losses from one to two thirds. Basically, in order to keep the battery consumption as low as possible, you should try not to load the bike and trailer to heavily, pull at a constant speed and avoid inclines. The lighter the trailer is, the better. Thanks to their extremely sturdy yet light aluminium frame, our children’s trailers are among the lightest on the market and weigh only between 8.4 kg and 13.8 kg, depending on the equipment. Only our Cub X model, which has a plastic tub for particularly heavy loads, weighs 17.2 kg. If you commute long distances or are planning a longer tour, we recommend carrying a replacement battery. Just to play it safe!

For more information head to burley.com

Depending on your needs, an off-road cargo bike like the Riese & Müller Load 60 Touring GX might be a worthwhile alternative to a mtb trailer too.

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Words: Simone Giesler, PM Photos: Burley