If your dog, like mine, gives you a guilt-inducing look every time you kit up with lycra and head for the door without them, the Thule Bexey Dog Trailer may allow you to feel good about yourself again.
I always feel bad leaving my dog at home to enjoy a few hours of riding without them. Over the years, I’ve tried a few solutions, including dog-specific rucksacks, so I was very keen to see how the Bexey stacks up. For many owners, a rucksack isn’t viable because the dog is just too heavy. In the past, I’ve seen people convert child trailers for their dogs, but this is the first time I’ve seen or used a dog-specific trailer.
The trailer is intended for use on gravel, fire roads, simple trails and on the road. I decided to test mine on all of those surfaces and I wanted to use it in everyday life to see if it would fit in with my real-life riding. Of course, it also has to fit in with my pooch's life and make her feel safe and happy. So I set it up on my Æight Bike Fifty One Assassin and took it for a spin.
Construction
Thule sent me the Medium size trailer to try, which is suitable for dogs up to 35kg, and included the optional Rain Cover (£44.99) and Strolling Kit (£79.99). There’s a fair bit of assembly involved, but it's relatively simple, and there's a very good video on the Thule website. Unpacking the parts, it’s clear that the trailer is made from premium parts and materials, as you expect for the price. Lots of brushed aluminium which is tough and light, and some strong-looking, tear-resistant fabric - all the fixtures are well made and most of the parts are toolless, once the trailer is built. Choosing the correct rear axle for your bike can be tricky, but a good retailer will be able to help with that.
Once you’ve built your trailer it’s worth spending a bit of time getting your dog introduced to their new wheels. Again Thule has some great advice on its website. The wheels are easily removed, which leaves you with a nice stable dog crate. I recommend putting the trailer in your home and introducing your dog to it in their own environment - let them play or sleep in it, so it becomes a safe/fun place for them to be. I made the mistake of putting my normally chilled-out pup straight in and heading out for a ride, which she wasn’t completely sold on! Once they get used to it, they love it because it becomes a way for them to join you in the fun. A couple of rides in and we’d both got used to it.
The Ride
Surprisingly, the trailer has very little effect on the way my bike rides. I used a cargo trailer years ago to carry extra gear and water when I was touring, and it made the bike handle “like a dog” (pun intended). But, Thule have done an outstanding job with the coupling on the Bexey, which allows the bike and trailer to move in almost every direction possible. This means it’s in no way restricted in where it can go - I wouldn’t take it on techy single-track, but it can handle a surprising array of surfaces and trails, on and off-road.
The floor of the trailer is very well padded, but I was surprised that there is no real form of suspension. Even some wider tyres would help smooth out the ride for your doggo, but I suppose this is where you have to be slightly sensible in planning a trail/route to ride and being honest with yourself about whether it's suitable for your trailer, or more importantly your dog. Because my dog is small I added some extra cushioning to help stop her being thrown around, and changed my riding style a little with her in mind. When I started using the dog rucksack, someone told me to ride as if I had a dozen eggs in the bag, smooth and careful all the way. I applied the same thinking to picking my lines with the trailer!
The trailer is built with robust materials that have stood up to all the mud and grime our English winter threw at it. The exterior is easily hosed off (best done whilst it’s still wet from use), the optional rain cover works very well and fits perfectly, and the frame still looks like new. From a dog's point of view, the inside is well-padded and the floor is removable for washing. Most dog owners dread this time of year (January/February) because every walk is a mudfest, but I’ve been using the trailer all the way through the winter and my dog has stayed warm and dry throughout!
There’s a large rear door which the dog can easily walk in and out of. Especially in the beginning, I’d chuck a couple of treats in there for the dog to search out while I got kitted up, so they’d be happy and ready to go. If it’s warm and dry you can open up the front flap to varying degrees to help with airflow/ventilation and to allow your dog to keep an eye on what’s happening. Initially, my dog decided she’d have a go hitting the eject button before we’d fully stopped, so I looped a lead inside and clipped her in via her normal harness to keep her on board until I’d decided it was time to exit! I was surprised that there isn’t a specific place inside the trailer for this purpose or even an inbuilt lead. At least there’s plenty of exposed framework available to improvise your own setup.
Taking the trailer on and off your bike is pretty simple. Once you’ve fitted the correct axle you can leave it in place, using the locking quick release to remove/attach the trailer. The fixture is fairly bulky, but unless you’re racing, it’s not an issue. For most users on most bikes, it’s function over form, and the hitch is so good that a bit of extra bulk is a trade-off worth taking.
The lock is a nice feature on such an expensive piece of kit, and whilst I wouldn’t leave this locked up for any serious amount of time, it’s certainly a source of reassurance during quick trips to the shops or whilst at the café.
Accessories
I tested my trailer with the optional rain cover, which I believe is almost essential in winter. In wet, muddy conditions, the bike’s rear wheel generates a lot of spray, which quickly covers the mesh front of the trailer. This means that everything inside, including the dog will get muddy - the rain cover fits snugly, is very well made and doesn’t affect the ventilation.
I also tested the stroller kit - personally, I rarely found it useful because my dog is always excited to get out and about on or off the lead. However when my last dog was older, he wasn't a fan of walking too far, but he still wanted to be a part of family outings. If we’d had the trailer at the time he would have loved it, and we’d have used the stroller kit a lot. If you’ve got an older dog, it’s a great addition.
Value and conclusions
At £800 plus accessories, the Bexey commands a hefty price tag, so it’s definitely a considered purchase. But, look at it this way - over the lifetime of your furry friend, it could mean that they’ll be with you on all your adventures for as little as £50 a year. Even at £100 a year, I think it’s worth it. It also means that you’re not limited on ride time - previously I’d limit my rides to a few hours, but now I can ride all day long, and stop and start where I like. All the time knowing that my dog is comfy, safe and with us. That’s priceless.
I’ve added a couple of lights to mine, in addition to the factory reflectors, for when we were on the road. Thule includes a big tall flag to make drivers aware, but in all honesty, I avoid roads as much as possible these days, especially with a dog on board. Where the trailer is most at home is on American-style gravel, UK forestry fire roads, canal towpaths and non-technical trails. I tried it on some single track without the dog on board and it was slightly out of its depth, but that’s to be expected.
My dog was initially sceptical about the idea of the trailer, but if you introduce them to it with care, they’ll take to it. After a couple of rides, she was loving life in her little chariot. My dog needed a fair bit of extra cushioning because she’s so small but any dog owner will be used to solving these kinds of issues. I would recommend the medium for most terriers and medium dogs like spaniels - you’ll need a large for breeds like a Labrador. We put our friend's Lab in the medium trailer and it wasn’t really big enough.
Specs
- Weight: 15kg
- Dimensions fully built: 79cm high, 70cm wide, 90cm long (140cm including arm and fittings).
- Dimensions for storage: 35cm high, 66cm wide, 90cm long.
- Dog Space: 61cm high, 43cm wide, 84cm long.
