Let’s face it, if things get too hot, you’re probably not going to want to carry everything on your back. You should be ready to do that, but with a bug out bike trailer and some good bikes, you can easily move out with enough to keep your family going for days, if not weeks.
Usually, on this blog, we look at more day-to-day things, but in some cases, you may need to actually leave your home. Ideally, this will be in a vehicle, but if you can’t manage that, you definitely want an alternative mode of transport. I always recommend practicing walking long distances with the whole family, but you can also plan to have bikes for everyone.
Bikes are a great way to get from point A to point B. Depending on the bike, they can handle some fairly rough terrain, fit between vehicles that may be stopped on the roads, and you can add accessories to make your life easier. It’s also simpler to carry a child with you when you’re on a bike and you can move faster. However, it’s tough to carry a lot when you’re cycling, which is why you may want to consider adding a bike trailer to your stash.
Bike trailers can be hooked up behind your bike and give you extra space to carry items. Some are designed for children or pets, but for the purposes of this article, we’re going to look at the best bug out bike trailer for hauling your survival supplies. This means we want something that is sturdy enough to go off-road, if need be, can handle the extra wear and tear of carrying canned goods, yet is versatile enough to manuever on crowded roads. My research narrowed the existing options down to the following three choices.
Best Overall Cargo Bike Trailer
When money is no object, you can focus on the absolute best of the best and for just about everyone in the market for a cargo trailer, that means the BOB Ibex Plus. This trailer is lightweight, solid, and offers stability by keeping the center of gravity low. That is very important if you’re moving fast over uneven terrain, since a flipped trailer can pull the entire bike over if you’re not careful.
This trailer can carry up to 70 lbs of cargo, which means you can load pretty much all your food on there. BOB also offers a waterproof dry sack, which I highly recommend adding to the cart when you check out. You don’t want anything getting wet and this just takes care of that problem once and for all. Plus, it’s designed to fit the trailer so you don’t need to fuss with trying to get everything crammed on the trailer.
Users report barely feeling any weight behind them with this design. It’s also noted that the trailer will fit through any space that your handlebars fit through, which is ideal for moving through stopped traffic. Overall, the handling, capacity, and durability of this particular bike trailer was heavily praised.
Of course, there are a few downsides and some people say that it can be difficult to assemble the trailer. Others have reported instability with heavy loads at high speeds, but this can be reduced by keeping the heaviest items at the bottom of the load and toward the back.
Best Cheap Bike Trailer for Bugging Out
Okay, so even though the Ibex is the best trailer out there for carrying supplies, it’s also one of the priciest. Not everyone can afford to pony up that much money, so I’ve gone ahead and looked at some of the cheaper options, too. These are still sturdy and well-designed cargo trailers, but they’re a lot easier on the wallet. Just be aware that they are not likely to last as well as a more expensive one.
First up, we have the Schwinn Day Tripper Cargo Bike Trailer. This is really the best price you’ll find and Schwinn is well known in the bike industry. This trailer is designed to be very stable, with two side by side wheels so it can’t really tip over. The wider frame means you will need to judge before riding through narrow gaps, but that is probably just fine in most cases.
A big plus for the wider trailer is that it can hold up to 100 lbs, so a considerable amount. It’s also collapsible, in case you need to take the trailer into a shelter or something for the night. You can store it easily when folded down, too, since it takes up minimal space. Despite being collapsible, it’s still very sturdy once put together.
One of the downsides of this trailer is that it does have air filled tires. This lets you cushion your trailer’s load a bit, but it also means you can get a flat. It’s just another reason to carry a tire repair kit with you. Also, the tarp that comes with it is for smaller loads, so if you plan to carry anything taller than the trailer, you’ll need your own tarp.
The second option for cheaper bug out bike trailers is the Aosom Foldable Bike Cargo Trailer. This trailer can carry up to 110 lbs, but is still quite affordable. It is also collapsible, but fits together well. The steel frame makes it really sturdy! One of the things that I particularly like about this trailer is that you can remove the front or the back if you have a longer item to carry.
This trailer is a good option for a cargo trailer, particularly if you’ll be hauling heavier items. The versatility is what makes it excellent for bugging out, but it is a little more than the Schwinn trailer.
When it comes to the downsides, users report issues with the rim tape. It may need to be replaced and you should carry some with you. The tires are air filled, so plan for flats. Many people preferred to replace the tires just to make sure it was stronger for long rides, so consider this when you are looking at buying.
In conclusion, you can find some excellent bug out bike trailers available for your use, at all price levels. Check them out, decide your budget and then make sure to test the trailer you choose before the need for it hits.
