How Much Cargo Will the Bike Trailer Hold?

• The amount of cargo bike trailers can carry varies widely from model to model. The amount is usually displayed in two ways -- by the number of pounds the trailer can safely hold or in inches by dimension (for example, 35.5" x 19" x 23.5").
  
  

What's It Made of?

• Bike trailers come from numerous materials. Aluminum alloy is a popular choice for its strength and light weight. Other materials in bike trailer construction include fiberboard plastic, clear plastic, regular aluminum, aluminum tubing and mesh of some sort.
  
  

Can You Buy a Bike Trailer for Dogs?

• Many dog trailers have a leash option to keep your dog in place inside the trailer.Ciaran Griffin/Stockbyte/Getty Images
  
  You can not only get bike trailers for cargo and children, you can get one for your pet. The most durable ones can carry pooches that weigh up to 100 lbs. They usually have an opening or two that is big enough for the dog to pop his head out while you are cruising.
  
  

Does It Convert into a Stroller?

• Many bike trailers have the ability to convert into a baby stroller or a jogging stroller when they aren't attached to a bike. If you have children or if you are taking into account resale value down the road, knowing whether or not the bike trailer can become a stroller would be good information to know.
  
  

What Do They Cost?

• You can buy a bike trailer geared to carry golf clubs.Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
  
  While you can usually find second hand bike trailers, buying new ones will set you back a couple hundred bucks. The trailers designed to carry children start around $100 and can go over $600 for one with all the bells and whistles. The trailers for carrying cargo also start around $100 but don't go too much over $400 for a top-of-the-line model that has full suspension. Bike trailers for special needs like carting golf clubs or a canoe tend to cost more.
  
  

How Do You Attach It?

• The easiest way is to attach the trailer to the bike's seat post via a clamp system. You can also use a sandwich clamp of some type to hook the clamp over the left rear triangle section of the bicycle. Or you can attach the trailer to the rear axle with a modified adjustment kit that comes with the trailer or you can purchase one separately. If you aren't going to be carrying much weight, you can attach the trailer to the rear cargo rack, although this is not usually recommended.