Last Updated on November 14, 2022
To answer this question directly, yes it most definitely can. And do you know what else? There are bike trailers that are specific for mountain bikes.
How great is that? Like all trailers, mountain bike trailers could be of the 3: a kid’s trailer, a pet trailer, or a trailer to specifically haul cargo.
The only difference is that trailers are most effective and safe when mounted properly on the seat tube. Other bike trailers mount near the chainstay or some other parts of the frame.
But especially when you are riding a full-suspension mountain bike, it would be best to have the hitch attached to your seat tube just below your dropper post mount.
Mountain Bike Trailers Are Fun
If you have a young kid who is also fond of the great outdoors, strapping them onto a trailer is a great way to spend time with them while enjoying mountain biking.
Trailers for kids are safe. They are installed with a 5 point safety harness that straps your kid onto a bucket seat, a roll cage, and there are also those that come with suspension.
Trailers for kids can normally accommodate those from 3 months until 5 years old. This is a great way to introduce your kid to the world of mountain biking. And before you know it, they will be riding with you as well and no longer on a trailer.
What’s great about trailers is that you can also use them to pack extra gear. Although the heavier your cargo, the greater the rolling resistance would be.
But hitching them to e-mountain bikes is a different story. The power from the eMTB cancels out all the drag caused by the trailer and would definitely make the experience more enjoyable.
What are the qualities of a good mountain bike trailer?
The main characteristic of a good mountain bike trailer is its compatibility with different bikes. It should be versatile enough to be able to adapt to any axle width and type, frame type: either full suspension or hardtail and other types of bikes as well.
However, choosing the right mountain bike trailer for you and your family is vital. You must be aware of what the purpose of buying a trailer will be. Once you have figured out its purpose, it will be easier for you to choose the type of mountain bike trailer for you and the family, whether it be used on a trail bike or road bike.
There are also other aspects that you must consider before purchasing one. You should also evaluate your choices based on the following criteria:
- The ability to roll over rough terrain
- Changes in handling and turning radius
- Are you going to ride on trails and how aggressive do you need it to be
- Or are you looking for a mountain bike trailer that is multi-functional
Normally parents would opt for convertible trailers. There are trailers for kids that can be converted as a stroller once it is dismounted from the bike.
Every rider has different needs, so make sure you choose your trailer wisely based on the guidelines above.
Features of a Good Child Trailer
If you are looking for a mountain bike trailer that can be used not only for hauling your kids but for transporting heavy cargo as well, then you should look at the characteristics below:
Harness
A good child trailer comes with a 5 point harness. This keeps the child in place and snug on the trailer’s bucket seat.
On premium models, the seats have a reclining feature but not to worry as the harness will automatically be adjusted to keep your kid safe from your road bike at all times.
Storage space
If you are not using your trailer for your kid, you can use it to haul cargo or as a dog trailer or ski trailer as well. Let’s say you are going bike camping.
The best thing to do if you are biking all the way is to bring a mountain bike trailer with you. You can use your trailer to carry all of the essential items that you will be needing while camping in the great outdoors.
Seating capacity
Trailers for kids often come with a single seat only. But no worries as there are also double trailer bicycle trailer options out there for a better bike seat on a cross bike or carbon bike. Just make sure that you keep the weight under the specified limits of the mountain bike trailer. You can also use a road bike to shed off weight.
Suspension system
Modern bicycle trailers feature a certain suspension system as well. This is especially effective if you are fond of biking out on trails. But it’s not ideal if you are using a carbon road bike or hybrid bike because they are not that durable.
Most trailers with an individual suspension system and rear axle would improve the handling and ride of the trailer. As you can see, people are leaning more towards aggressive riding nowadays thus the need for well-capable trailers as well.
Parking mechanism
Having parking disc brakes on your bike trailer is very useful especially when you are stuck on inclines. Almost all bike trailers have this feature.
This certain type of mechanism engages the hubs of the wheels thus keeping the trailer from accidentally rolling away.
Related: The Best Bike Trailer for Your Kids or Luggage
Conclusion
Your mountain bike is very capable of hauling bike trailers especially when they are specifically made to hitch onto mountain bikes.
Given that mountain bikes are normally meant for rough riding, having bike trailers attach to your bike does not have to be a hindrance to your riding style. This is because there are also specialized trailers that are capable enough to be hauled over rougher terrain.
To reiterate, just make sure that you can identify what kind of mountain bike trailer is the fittest for your needs. You must also be aware of all the features that are needed from that trailer.
Once you have narrowed down your choices, this is when you would evaluate if the hitch attached to the trailer is of good quality and can attach to your bike without a problem.
