Hitching a trailer on your e-bike is more than a means of transport. For many users, having a trailer offers the practicality of transporting cargo, kids, and pets, and at the same time, a sustainable commute system, which could easily replace your family car.
It offers a convenient option for commuting with kids, doing some grocery shopping, carrying cargo, and much more.
However, before turning your e-bike into a workhorse, there’re several aspects you need to consider. Fortunately, we compiled a detailed guide on everything you need to know about e-bike towing.
Best Electric Bike for Pulling Trailer
Rad Riders found the RedWagon 4 E-Cargo Bike to be one of the strongest contenders when it comes to quality, durability, and sustainable power. Plus, it doesn’t give off the weird look many bicycle manufacturers settle for when trying to achieve sturdiness.
It’s safe to say that the manufacturers were intent on scoring a grand first impression with their patented frame which allows better maneuverability, comfort, and adjustability. In more detail, the RedWagon 4 stood in terms of;
Acceleration: Most cycling enthusiasts think about acceleration and build before considering anything else. This is why the 7-speed level gearing system this electric bike guarantees may appeal to many.
More speed ranges mean better torque for elevated or uneven terrains as well as swiffer rides.
Motor and power: A 750 Watt electric bike can travel at speeds up to 20 MPH, which is pretty decent if you want to make those uphill ascents. The torque this geared motor provides may not be the highest, but it should certainly make the ride a lot more enjoyable and hassle-free.
Suspension and Tires: The Rad Power Bikes manufacturers decided to go with a new and honestly refreshing design that could be a game-changer. The tires are portably and aesthetically smaller yet wider.
According to the engineers, this is supposed to guarantee a smoother ride and aid the E-bike to run unbothered even on uneven and bumpy grounds.
Features: There’s an integrated rear rack that makes this bike a stand-out option among many. Yes, many bikes incorporate rear racks, but it’s essential to mention that the extended rack sits sturdily across the length of the rear wheels.
This means there’s enough space to attach different platforms, panniers seats, or loads. At the same time, if you’re looking to haul a trailer at the back, the already sturdy form should be more than capable.
As a bonus, this sturdy electric bike equally comes with a telescoping seat that allows easy adjustability. Furthermore, the twist-grip throttle ensures extra power at every twist when climbing up steep hills or gliding down a bumpy terrain.
Still, there’s more fun to be had with the handy brake lights that come on every time you need to make a quick stop.
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This is the e-bike equivalent of a truck, with its 400 lb payload capacity. Like the RadWagon 4, it has a 750W geared hub motor and a 48W Lithium-ion battery. But the KBO's battery is an 840Wh beast, delivering up to 60+ miles of ride time with pedal assistance. If you always ride with the throttle, you will get about 35 miles from a single charge.
This cargo e-bike can hit a top speed of 24 mph, has a 7-speed shifter, 5-level pedal assist, 20" × 3" inch puncture-resistant tires, and 180mm mechanical disc brakes for a powerful braking force. Like the RadWagon 4, all KBO cargo e-bike frames are made from 6061 aluminum, and it also has a twist throttle system to get some juice from the motor when hauling a loaded trailer.
The saddle can be adjusted significantly in any direction to attain optimal reach and posture while riding.
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The Bakcou Flatlander is designed for the ultimate off-road experience. Its large 26" × 4" Maxxis Minion tires are built for control and grip even on loose and muddy terrains. It also has a suspension air fork and a suspension seat post to eat up all the shocks from a rough off-road trail.
This e-bike's frame is also a sturdy 6061 aluminum alloy. Its 750W powerful motor and 48W battery can output a range of 40+ miles. It has a 9-speed derailleur and can haul up to 300 lbs. This makes it perfect for towing your game back home after a good day's hunt.
This e-bike is pricier than the RadWagon 4 and the KBO Ranger. If you don't venture into off-road trails often and hunting isn't your thing, you may be better served with another e-bike.
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How Much Weight Can an Electric Bike Tow?
In general, the amount of weight an electric bike can tow depends on the particular e-bike brand, the e-bike’s weight, the pedal-assist technology, the motor, etc. So far, in the e-bike industry, the lowest average payload capacity sits at around 200 lbs, while some e-bikes can haul an additional weight of 350 lbs—that's a payload capacity of 550 lbs.
Can You Attach a Child Trailer to an E-bike?
As a general rule of thumb, you can attach a child trailer to an e-bike so long as the weights of the trailer and the child combined do not go above the e-bike’s haulage limit. E-bikes are designed to tow all types of trailers—not just child trailers. Whatever type of trailer you’re hitching to your e-bike, you won’t feel the extra weight of the trailer while riding, thanks to the motor and pedal-assist functionality.
Can an Electric Bike Pull a Trailer?
Yes, an e-bike can pull a trailer. With the power of a motor, you can pull a larger load effortlessly and go further without feeling exhausted.
But there’s a caveat;
You need to pick the right e-bike, alongside the right trailer for your towing needs.
Photo credit: canva
Classification of E-bike Trailers
Now, for whatever towing needs, there’s always a trailer for the task.
Let’s look at some of the popular bike trailer options:
Cargo Trailers- Cargo trailers, also known as flatbed trailers, come in all sizes and let you carry the bulky and heavy loads such as a lawn mower.
Pet Trailers- Pet trailers are distant cousins of the cargo trailers, but they're more compact and lighter.
They’re suitable for pets and they feature an enclosing mechanism to keep the pets inside the trailer during a ride.
Kids Trailers- Kid’s trailers are built with comfort and safety in mind, with many of them featuring harnesses for safety.
Components of E-bikes for Towing
We've learned that e-bikes can pull a trailer. However, not all of them are capable of doing so. E-bikes for towing have unique features, which we shall look at below.
Motor Power
Most of the standard e-bikes have a motor power rating of 250 W. It’s a sufficient option for the light riders, who don’t need to tow anything or even ride on the rugged and hilly terrains.
However, if you need to load extra weight, you’ll at least require a high-powered motor output. Depending on the weight of the load, you might require a motor rating anywhere from 500 W or 750 W and above.
While at it, you must also consider the local laws and regulations for e-bikes because of the different classification of e-bikes, especially those above 500 W.
Mid-Drive Electric Motor
There're three main types of motors for e-bikes (Hub, rear, and front). Of the three, the mid-drive offers better performance and is suited for the e-bikes for hauling trailers. Mid-drive motors rely on the existing drivetrain for propulsion.
Unlike the hub motors, they can take advantage of the existing gears, meaning they’ve a higher torque rating, which makes them ideal for towing and riding hills.
Battery
With the extra weight and additional power, your e-bike battery is going to get drained pretty fast.
So, consider using a higher battery capacity to deal with the heavier power draw to increase your range.
Disc Brakes
Finally, consider an e-bike with disc brakes, as these offer consistent braking power with heavier loads.
However, if your e-bike lacks the disc brakes, you might consider upgrading the existing braking system to higher performance brake pads.
Pushing vs. Pulling a Trailer with E-bike
Push trailers are an alternative and a complete opposite of the pull trailers. They’ve an independent motor, which pushes you and your cargo. What users love about the push trailers is they're versatile and can be attached either to your e-bike or regular bike.
Are they any better than the pull trailers?
Well, it depends on whether they're attached to an e-bike or a traditional bike. If they’re attached to an e-bike, they’re the better option, since the rider is getting support from both their e-bike as well as the trailer.
On the other hand, if the push trailer is attached to a regular bike, the rider might be forced to put more effort into pedaling. Nonetheless, the idealness of either type will depend on several factors, including the power of the motor, your weight, and even terrain.
While none is better than the other on its own, the push trailers have the upper hand, when attached to an e-bike since they double the support.
Photo credit: canva
What to Avoid When Using an E-bike for Towing and Hauling
There’re several things you should always avoid when hauling with an e-bike. They include:
1. Don’t overload
While there’s no legally prescribed weight limit for e-bikes, it doesn't mean you should go overboard and exceed the total permissible payload.
Overloading your e-bike will compromise its performance in the long run and will result in the straining of the performance components.
2. Avoid speed
The heavier you load, the more you should moderate your speed.
High speeds are usually not encouraged on trailer e-bike, especially when going downhill.
3. Failure to Drive Defensively
The riding experience of an e-bike with a trailer attached is vastly different from riding an e-bike with nothing attached.
With the former, you need to learn how to drive defensively, especially if you are carrying your kid so as not to crash with other riders.
Other E-bike For Hauling to Consider
The folks at Ariel Rider went all out with this model. First, the D-Class Scrambler packs two 750 W hub motors capable of delivering a combined 1500 W of output.
The powerful performance is further complemented by robust hydraulic brakes, a smaller wheelbase, and a throttle.
The Scrambler is a comfortable option, too, with the stretched banana seat offering room for an extra passenger and the fat tire taking on any terrain with ease.
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The Scrambler relies on a proprietary 750W Bafang motor and a high-performance 52V battery for riding performance.
The performance of the e-bike is simply impressive, and the manufacturer claims the e-bike can reach a max speed of 28 MPG.
It’s also a low maintenance option, with the mag-wheel providing a puncture-resistant performance.
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#3. RadRunner 1
RadRunner is both fun and feels playful to ride. At the same time, however, it comes with a practical side, and this is evident through both the cargo-hauling and passenger-carrying options.
It’s rich in performance features, including a robust 750 W motor and high capacity 48V battery for range.
It’s a comfortable option, too, with the wide tires offering carefree ride style, which greatly helps when towing.
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