Four bicycle trailers for paddle boards compared on load capacity, frame material and wheel size, each with a spec table and an FAQ.
Towing a board behind a bike solves the two worst parts of paddling: parking at a crowded launch, and carrying eleven feet of board across a car park. There are two ways to do it, and this list covers both. Two of these carry the board itself on a pair of wheels strapped under it, and two are proper cargo trailers that hitch to the frame.
Bicycle trailers for paddle boards: the two designs
A board carrier is a wheel set that clamps under the tail of the board, with a strap that runs to the bike seat. It is light, it packs into the board bag, and it works because the board is already long and rigid enough to be its own trailer. It also means the board is the trailer, so a wide inflatable needs a carrier built for that width.
A cargo trailer is a frame on two wheels with a hitch. It costs more, weighs more and takes up space in the garage, but it carries anything: board, cooler, pump, dry bags, or a second board. If you already tow gear by bike, buy the trailer. If the board is the only thing you ever move, buy the carrier.
- Best for wide inflatable boardsSUP Wheels Evolution X
- Best heavy-duty trailerRambo canoe and kayak trailer cart
- Best cargo trailer for a normal bikeBurley Flatbed
- Cheapest way to tow a boardSUP Wheels Evolution surfboard trailer
| Trailer | Type | Capacity | Wheels | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUP Wheels Evolution Xbest for inflatables | Board carrier, seat post strap | Not published | 14 in airless | Wide inflatable and windsurf boards |
| Rambo canoe and kayak cartheaviest duty | Extendable steel trailer | 300 lbs total, 70 lbs of added cargo | 16 in | Kayaks, canoes and long hauls |
| Burley Flatbedbest cargo trailer | Aluminum flatbed trailer, Burley hitch | 100 lbs | Push-button quick release | Board plus cooler and gear |
| SUP Wheels Evolution surfboard trailercheapest here | Board carrier, strap handle | Not published | Beach-rated wheels | Surfboards and narrower SUPs |
The four bicycle trailers in detail
- Typeextra wide board carrier and bike trailer
- Fitswide hard boards, inflatables and windsurf boards
- Wheels14 in airless, never go flat
- Sandwheels designed to roll on sand
- Attachmentconnects to the bike seat with no tools
- Loadcarries the majority of the weight of the board
Best for: Inflatable boards, which are wider than the hard boards most carriers are built for
This is the carrier to buy if your board is inflatable. Inflatable SUPs are wider than the hard boards most carriers were designed around, and the X is the extra wide version built for exactly that, plus windsurf boards.
The wheels are the part that makes it work. Fourteen inch airless wheels do not go flat, do not need a pump and are made to roll on sand, which is where a small-wheeled cart stops dead. It attaches to the seat without tools and takes most of the board's weight, so you are steering rather than lifting. It carries the board and nothing else, so plan where the rest of your gear rides.
Pros
- The extra wide version, so it fits inflatables that a standard carrier will not grip
- Airless wheels cannot puncture, which matters on a trailer that lives in a garage between uses
- Fourteen inches of wheel rolls over curbs and soft ground instead of digging in
- No tools to attach it to the seat, so the whole setup takes a minute
Cons
- SUP Wheels does not publish a load rating for it
- It only carries the board, so a cooler or a pump still has to go in a backpack
- Costs more than the narrower Evolution surfboard model for the same mechanism
- Typeextendable bike trailer cart
- Frameadjustable steel
- Capacity300 lbs maximum, plus up to 70 lbs of attached cargo
- Extensionextends up to 10 ft
- Wheels16 in
- Paddingthick foam contact pads, ratchet straps and buckles included
Best for: Long or heavy boats, and anyone towing behind an electric bike
The Rambo is the heavy end of this list. A steel cart with adjustable geometry that extends up to 10 ft, rated to 300 lbs total with up to 70 lbs of cargo strapped on top of the boat, on 16 in wheels.
That combination is aimed at kayaks and canoes, and a paddle board is a light load by comparison, which is the point: it will not flex or complain. The two things to check before buying are the hitch and the weight. It is built alongside Rambo's electric bikes, and a steel frame this size is not something you carry up stairs. If you tow with an ebike and go a long way, it is the right tool.
Pros
- Three hundred pounds is by far the highest capacity here and covers a loaded kayak or two boards
- Extending to 10 ft means a long board is supported at both ends rather than overhanging
- Sixteen inch wheels are the largest in this list and handle rough ground and trails
- Foam padding and ratchet straps come with it, so the board is protected without extra purchases
Cons
- A steel frame is heavy and does not fold small for storage
- Rambo builds it around their own electric bikes, so check the hitch against yours
- The most complicated of the four to assemble
- Typeopen aluminum cargo trailer
- Capacity100 lbs
- Framelightweight aluminum
- Chassistwo-wheel with Burley hitch system
- Storagepush-button wheels and compact fold, lies flat
- Bed33 in long x 30.9 in wide x 16.1 in high
Best for: Cyclists who already tow, and anyone carrying gear as well as the board
The Burley is the one item here that is a bike trailer first and a board carrier second. Aluminum frame, two-wheel chassis, Burley's own hitch, a 100 lb rating and an open bed 33 in long by 30.9 in wide.
That bed length is the thing to think about. A paddle board is three to four times longer than the flatbed, so it rides overhanging at both ends and has to be strapped properly. In exchange you get a trailer that tracks straight, folds flat when the wheels pop off, and carries everything else you want at the launch. If the board is the only cargo you ever have, one of the SUP Wheels carriers is simpler and cheaper.
Pros
- A real trailer with a tracking hitch rather than a strap to the seat post, so it stays in line under load
- An open flatbed carries a cooler, a pump and dry bags alongside the board
- The wheels come off with a push button and it folds flat, which no other trailer here does
- Aluminum keeps the trailer's own weight down, so more of the 100 lbs is available for cargo
Cons
- The bed is 33 in long, so a paddle board overhangs it substantially and needs strapping down carefully
- One hundred pounds is the lowest capacity of the two full trailers here
- The most expensive item in this list
- Typeboard carrier with strap handle
- Boardssurfboards and boards within the standard width
- Useswalking, biking or towing behind a golf cart
- Windstated to be more stable in wind than a bike board rack
- Builddesigned for beach environments and salt
- Securitylocks up with the bike
Best for: Narrower boards, short trips to a local beach, and the smallest possible outlay
This is the narrower sibling of the Evolution X, sold for surfboards, and it is the cheapest way in this list to put a board behind a bike. Same idea: a wheel set under the tail, a strap to the bike, and the board carries itself.
The reason to prefer it over a bike-mounted rack is wind. A board carried upright next to the bike is a sail; a board towed flat behind you is not, and SUP Wheels makes that comparison directly. The reason to prefer the Evolution X over this one is width. Check your board against the standard width before ordering, because an inflatable is usually wider than what this model is built for.
Pros
- The cheapest way here to get a board behind a bike
- The same mechanism as the Evolution X without paying for the extra width
- Works walking as well as biking, so it doubles as a beach trolley
- More stable in wind than a rack that carries the board upright alongside the bike
Cons
- Not the extra wide model, so a wide inflatable may not fit
- No published load rating or wheel size
- Like the Evolution X, it carries the board and nothing else
Checklist: What Makes a Great Bicycle Trailer for Paddle Boards
- Capacity: Evaluate the weight limit and dimensions to ensure the trailer can adequately transport your paddle board, and ideally, have extra space for additional gear without overloading.
- Wheel Type: Check for appropriate wheel size and type for your usual terrain, options such as compact, street, or fat beach wheels can impact maneuverability and ease of transport.
- Material Durability: A trailer constructed with robust materials like aluminum and featuring elements like water-repellent fabrics or UV-resistant coatings will provide longevity and protect against the elements.
- Assembly and Storage: An easy-to-assemble design with quick, tool-free setup and the ability to fold down for compact storage is essential for convenience and usability.
- Portability: Prioritize a model with features that enhance portability, such as airless or removable wheels, or a design that allows the trailer to become an extension of your bike.
- Accessory Compatibility: Look for trailers that offer or support additional accessories like securing straps or padding to safeguard your board during transit and enhance the carrying experience.
FAQ
How do I choose a bicycle trailer for my paddle board?
Select a trailer based on capacity, wheel type, material durability, assembly ease, portability, and its compatibility with accessories to protect your paddle board during transit.
Can bike trailers handle rough terrain when transporting paddle boards?
Yes, bike trailers with appropriate wheel types, such as fat beach or airless wheels, can handle rough terrains and facilitate smooth transportation of paddle boards.
Is assembly difficult for bicycle trailers used for paddle boards?
No, many paddle board bicycle trailers are designed for easy, tool-free assembly and convenient storage, offering quick setup and breakdown.
