Tails in the Wind: Touring with a Dog Trailer

Riding with a Dog Trailer - Our Lessons from the Road

We cycle almost all year round. Snowy winters and freezing temperatures are the only times we take a break.

Our favorite adventures are the longer ones: slow-paced, multi-week rides. In two or three weeks, we usually cover around 1,000 km. We carry all our gear on the bikes, including the tent.

When Mrok came into our lives, or actually, even before he moved in, once we knew he would, it was clear he’d be joining us on our bike trips. To make that possible, we needed a good trailer designed for dogs. And so began our search.

We had a few key requirements:

• it had to be suitable for Mrok once fully grown

• it needed to be safe in case of an accident

• if the trailer tipped over, the bike’s stability couldn’t be affected

• it had to have suspension - no bouncing around on rough terrain

• it needed to handle rain

In the meantime, we dove deep into learning about dog specific bike trailers (since many on the market are designed for general cargo use).

Eventually, we narrowed it down to two manufacturers - the only ones offering trailers with actual suspension. Then just one remained, thanks to its adjustable suspension system. This mattered, because Mrok’s weight would naturally increase over time, and the trailer needed to adapt to that without losing comfort or control.

That’s how we discovered Hamax, a Norwegian company with decades of experience producing trailers for both children and dogs.

Their dog trailer, Pluto, comes in two sizes:

• M - for dogs up to 35 kg and no taller than 63 cm when sitting

• L - for dogs up to 40 kg and up to 82 cm in sitting height

We expected Mrok to stay under 25 kg, so we went with size M. Fully equipped including the trailer arm that connects to the bike, the setup weighs about 15 kg.

(For more detailed specs, check hamax.com, or feel free to ask us - we’re always happy to share what we’ve learned 😊)

Getting Started – At Home and On the Road

When the trailer arrived, we set it up in our apartment and filled it with Mrok’s toys. Since it has four different access points, he quickly made friends with it, especially once our cats joined in for chase games through the open doors.

If you're new to dog trailers, we recommend a little practice before your first proper ride. Take it slow try hopping up curbs, weaving onto sidewalks, and getting a feel for how the trailer moves. You can ride it on almost any surface, except for very narrow mountain paths.

Setup and First Impressions

If you’ve ever taken off your bike’s rear wheel, mounting the small connector for the trailer will be no problem. It simply fits onto the left side of the rear axle. Attaching the trailer itself is quick and intuitive. Still, the first time around, it’s worth having the manual on hand, just in case.

A quick note: The way this trailer is designed, from hooking it up, engaging the parking brake, to the overall ergonomics is simple and well thought out. There’s no need for extra tweaks or “hacks” to make it work better. It just does.

On our first ride in pouring rain, we made a rookie mistake: we didn’t install the rain cover that blocks the well-ventilated side windows. Little Mrok endured water spraying in from the rear wheel like a champ. Everything got soaked. To my surprise, there was a factory-installed drain hole in the trailer’s floor. No DIY fix needed. That alone earned a big thumbs-up from me.

Inside, the trailer comes with a removable padded insert, that’s where Mrok sits or lies during rides. It’s machine-washable, which makes keeping things clean much easier. There are reflectors on the front and back, plus a battery-powered rear light. The trailer's sides and even the tires, feature lots of white reflective details. It's instantly noticeable even in low light, which makes a real difference when turning or crossing streets.

We also added two rear Cateye bike lights, the same ones we use on our bikes. That way, the trailer is well-lit from behind, and we’ve got backup lights for the bikes if needed.

Unexpected Perks

Here are a few surprises we discovered after buying the trailer:

1. Turn it into a car crate: Just remove the wheels (takes about 5 seconds), place the trailer on a car seat or in the trunk, secure it with a seatbelt and... you’ve got a safe, solid travel crate for your dog.

2. A stroller in disguise: Detach the trailer arm and clip on the small front swivel wheel (takes 15 seconds). Now you’ve got a pet stroller - perfect for vet visits or helping an injured dog get around.

3. Easy to store: When folded, the trailer fits under a bed.

Hamax also offers a few handy extras, like a dedicated rain cover - but we won’t spoil your shopping experience. Take a look at their website and see what catches your eye.

How We Use It on the Road

During our trip to Portugal, Mrok used the trailer in three ways:

• During car rides

• On bike trips to the beach

• At camp, where he treated it like his own little den 😊

Riding with the Trailer – What to Expect

The trailer’s mounting system means you’ll hardly notice it while riding - apart from the extra weight and some wind resistance, especially on windy days.

More importantly, the trailer is designed not to affect the bike’s stability if it tips over.

Can the trailer actually tip over? Yes. And it happened to me three times.

The first time, I was riding at about 30 km/h and dropped from a sidewalk onto the road, needing to make a quick right turn followed by an immediate left. I didn’t even feel the trailer roll - Monika just shouted, “Stop!”. Heart racing, I opened the trailer, wondering what I’d find… And there was Mrok, happily sitting sideways, totally unfazed.

The second time, I was going much slower. I took a sharp 90-degree turn too fast and felt it was a mistake - Mrok was once again tipped onto his side. The trailer’s rigid aluminum frame absorbed the roll perfectly, and Mrok stayed safe and comfortable inside.

The third time was the slowest I was trying to roll gently down toward a cliffside viewpoint, but a large rock got in the way. I stopped, but the trailer was already at an angle and slowly tipped over onto the grass. After that one, I think Mrok began to suspect that this is just what trailers do 😉.

To be clear: Mrok was never hurt. Each time it happened, it was due to my lack of experience or poor judgment. These days, I react faster, avoid rocky terrain, and Mrok, ever the pro - knows to hop out and trot beside the trailer when asked.

We also bought a second connector so either of us can tow the trailer.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• The trailer can carry loads of up to 35 kg – not just dogs, but also groceries or other items.

• Use the tall orange safety flag (included) - it makes the trailer visible to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

• In heavy rain, braking distances will increase - allow for that.

And One Thing That Matters Most

Knowing that Mrok is with us while we ride is priceless. It puts a smile on our faces, one that doesn’t fade. We hope to meet some of you on the trail someday, your dogs rolling happily beside you in their trailers.

If you’d like to see the trailer fully assembled, or the exact process of attaching it to the bike, or maybe how to put on the rain cover - or perhaps you’re curious about something else?

Just let us know, and we’ll do our best to answer all your questions.