Let’s face it, most Bike Trailers can seem a bit bland. They can also be cumbersome, feeling wide and unwieldy to maneuver, especially on narrower paths.
The Weehoo bike trailer offers a refreshing take on child bike carriers, addressing both of these common concerns. This innovative trailer allows children to actively participate in the ride by pedaling along, keeping them engaged and entertained (or providing a comfortable spot for a nap when needed). Its slim profile is another significant advantage, proving narrow enough to navigate tight spaces and even handle gentle singletrack trails.
Our family put the Weehoo Turbo trailer-cycle to the test over several years. During that time, it evolved into a core component of our family biking adventures and consistently turned heads, both around our neighborhood and on mountain bike trails.
The Weehoo’s distinctive design is a major factor in its attention-grabbing appeal. Unlike conventional bike trailers, the Weehoo features a recumbent seat. This unique design allows the child to pedal comfortably or recline and relax (and yes, even drift off to sleep!). Crucially, children are securely buckled into the Weehoo with a harness system, making it suitable for use with toddlers as young as two years old.
While there are a couple of minor drawbacks I’ll point out later in this review, our overall experience with the Weehoo was overwhelmingly positive. It proved to be an excellent investment for our family, and I confidently recommend it to parents in the market for a versatile and engaging child-hauling solution.
Weehoo Bike Trailer: Quick Verdict
The Pros:
- Simply FUN for kids!
- Accommodates a broad age range (approximately 2 to 9 years old)
- Recumbent seating position allows kids to pedal or relax comfortably
- Double model available for hauling multiple children
- Versatile performance on paved roads and off-road trails
The Cons:
- Road debris like dust and mud can be kicked up towards the child’s face
- Seat padding could be improved
- Fabric material durability could be better
- Can be a bit bulky to transport and store
Pricing and Purchase Information:
- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $499
- Available for purchase at: RideWeehoo.com
Weehoo Bike Trailer: A Detailed Look
Fun and Engaging Riding Experience for Children
The Weehoo bike trailer distinguishes itself with an enclosed drivetrain that enables children to pedal, or simply sit back and enjoy the ride. When we first introduced our son to the Weehoo, he was only two years old and primarily enjoyed observing the scenery or napping during our rides. However, by the time he reached four, he was actively pedaling along regularly and enthusiastically declared his love for “biking with dad.”
In this regard, the Weehoo surpasses both traditional bike trailers and bike seats in fostering engagement and excitement in children about bike rides. While trailers and bike seats are suitable for very young children, the Weehoo emerges as a superior option for kids around 2.5 or 3 years old and up, due to its interactive pedaling feature.
Beyond the pedaling aspect, kids are also delighted by the side pockets on the Weehoo. Our son frequently used these to stash snacks and “treasures” discovered on our adventures, such as rocks for his ever-growing collection. Handles positioned on either side of the seat provide secure handholds and contribute to a sense of independence and control for young riders.
Safety Features
Initially, I had some reservations about the safety of using the Weehoo on busy city streets. However, its elevated seating position and the included safety flag enhance visibility to motorists. Naturally, I still recommend prioritizing routes with lower traffic volumes. When riding with two adults, having one adult positioned slightly behind and to the side can further improve visibility and provide an added layer of protection.
We tended to favor the Weehoo for longer excursions on trails or quieter backcountry roads, using it less frequently for everyday commuting in urban environments. For those instances when we did ride on city streets, I added a flashing light to the rear pocket for increased visibility. If commuting by bike more regularly with the Weehoo, I would likely add reflective tape to further enhance safety.
A key safety advantage of the Weehoo over traditional trailer-cycles is its 5-point harness system. This harness securely holds the child in the seat, preventing accidental falls. In the event of a tip-over, the robust steel frame and harness system are designed to protect the child.
Reinforcing its safety reputation, I recall a story about a father who was involved in a collision with a car while his child was in the Weehoo. The Weehoo’s strong steel construction effectively shielded the child from injury. This leads me to discuss the overall construction quality in more detail.
Robust Construction
The frame of the Weehoo bike trailer is constructed from steel, resulting in a robust and well-built structure. However, the quality of some of the other components is less impressive.
The fabric used for the seat and pannier bags is noticeably thin and has exhibited significant wear and tear on our Weehoo. The fabric has ripped in several areas and is visibly soiled after regular use.
In contrast, the fabric on our Thule Chariot child carrier remained in excellent condition even after nearly four years of frequent use, including off-road adventures and transportation across the country. Upgrading the fabric quality seems like an obvious improvement Weehoo could make to ensure a higher quality and more durable product.
Assembly and Attachment
Upon receiving your Weehoo bike trailer, some initial assembly will be required. The printed instructions provided were somewhat unclear. However, Weehoo offers helpful assembly videos online, which would have been beneficial to consult from the outset. Even with the slightly confusing instructions, assembly only took approximately 30 minutes. Lesson learned: watch the assembly videos!
The main body of the trailer connects to the adult’s bicycle via a swing arm. A pin secures the arm to the trailer, and another pin attaches the arm to a mount that is installed on the adult’s seatpost.
The seatpost mount is straightforward to install, sliding easily onto the seatpost. Attaching the swing arm to the mount proved a bit more challenging initially. The first time, my husband actually needed to use a hammer to fully seat the arm. Over time, this connection has become easier, and no excessive force is now required.
Transport and Storage Considerations
When disassembled, the Weehoo bike trailer fits readily into the back of our Ford Escape SUV, making it reasonably portable. Reassembly at our destination takes approximately 5 minutes, getting us ready to ride quickly.
For day-to-day storage, the Weehoo does occupy more space compared to a simple bike seat. If you have a spacious garage, you can likely store it assembled in a corner.
For those with limited storage space, vertical storage is a practical solution, which is what we utilize. We detach the swing arm for storage and then hang the trailer from a ceiling or shelf hook. This method effectively keeps the Weehoo out of the way and maximizes space.
Effortless to Tow
For quite some time after acquiring the Weehoo, I always defaulted to having my husband do all the towing. It initially appeared too heavy and cumbersome for me to manage.
However, once I finally mustered the courage to try it myself, I was pleasantly surprised – towing the Weehoo is not difficult at all! If your child is old enough and willing to pedal along, you will hardly notice the added weight.
Even if your child decides to relax and take a nap, you will certainly feel the weight, but it remains comparable to towing a traditional child bike trailer like the Thule Chariot. It is definitely manageable, even for smaller adults.
Ample Storage Capacity
One significant advantage of the Weehoo bike trailer is its ability to carry more than just your child. We frequently chose the Weehoo for longer outings specifically for its cargo capacity. We’ve utilized it on overnight bike camping trips and day trips to transport our child’s bike, towels, picnic supplies, extra clothing, snacks, and more.
Our standard iGo Turbo model offers substantial storage with two integrated pannier bags. Additionally, the space between the seat and the rear wheel (when the seat is not positioned fully back) provides an area to creatively strap on additional items.
For those needing even greater storage capacity, or who primarily intend to use the Weehoo for bicycle touring, the Venture version is worth considering. It offers expanded storage for gear and supplies.
Off-Road Riding Capabilities
As a family passionate about mountain biking, our primary attraction to the Weehoo was its capability to handle off-road terrain, including singletrack trails. When our son began to outgrow the iBert front-mounted bike seat, the Weehoo was the logical next step for us to continue our trail adventures together. Our Weehoo has accompanied us on countless miles of singletrack, doubletrack, and dirt roads, proving to be a reliable choice for mountain biking families.
However, there are a few limitations to consider when using the Weehoo for mountain biking. It’s important to note that these drawbacks are primarily relevant for off-road use and will likely not be concerns for the majority of users who primarily ride on roads and paved bike paths.
Firstly, the wheelbase is quite long, which can make navigating tight switchbacks challenging. However, this becomes easier with practice. A more significant issue for off-road riding is the ride quality for the child. On dusty or muddy trails, children are likely to get quite dirty, particularly their faces. The fender included with the Weehoo offers minimal protection in these conditions. I highly recommend equipping your child with sunglasses and bringing along wet wipes for trailside clean-up.
Lastly, the Weehoo provides a somewhat rough ride on uneven off-road terrain. We restrict our off-road Weehoo adventures to gentler, smoother trails. We also upgraded to a more robust tire and, for longer rides like our bike camping trip, added some egg-crate foam padding to the seat to improve comfort.
Grows Along With Your Child
Unlike some other types of child bike carriers, the Weehoo bike trailer accommodates a wide age range. It’s certainly not feasible to use a standard bike seat to carry both a 2-year-old and a 9-year-old!
The Weehoo’s seat easily slides forward or backward without tools to adjust to your child’s leg length as they grow. This adjustability makes it a worthwhile investment, as it provides years of use as your child develops.
Resale Potential
Once your child has outgrown the Weehoo, or your family’s needs change, you can recoup some of your investment by reselling it in local classifieds. I’ve observed that used Weehoos tend to sell quickly on platforms like Craigslist and eBay, indicating good resale value.
Double Capacity Version Available
Beyond cargo bikes, options for hauling multiple children by bike are somewhat limited. The Weehoo Two provides a solution for this, allowing you to carry two children simultaneously. The double version of the Weehoo has a dedicated following and can accommodate two children weighing up to a combined 80 pounds.
Useful Accessories
Depending on your intended usage of the Weehoo, considering some of the available accessories might be beneficial. We added the kickstand to our Weehoo, and it proved to be an excellent addition. The kickstand stabilizes the trailer while loading and unloading your child. Without it, I always felt a bit precarious trying to buckle our son in while simultaneously balancing my bike and the trailer.
Weehoo also offers a rain cover, which we haven’t personally used, but seems like a practical purchase, especially if you plan to use the Weehoo for daily commuting in areas with unpredictable weather.
Final Verdict
The Weehoo bike trailer is a fun, interactive, and practical solution for biking with your child or children. With its generous storage capacity, it excels on weekend outings when you need to carry extra gear like swimwear, picnic lunches, and more.
It is versatile enough for riding on bike paths, commuting, bicycle touring, and even venturing onto gentle mountain bike trails. If you are seeking a child carrier for children aged approximately 2 to 9 years old, the Weehoo should definitely be on your shortlist.
Explore More Child Bike Carrier Options
About Us
The Rascals are a family of three: Kristen (mom), Blair (dad), and Parker (kiddo). We launched Rascal Rides when Parker was born, driven by our desire to continue our passion for biking as a family. As we learned and explored the world of family cycling, we shared our experiences and insights. Over the years, we have rigorously tested hundreds of kids’ bikes, helmets, bike trailers, and other cycling gear.
Kristen is a certified USA Cycling coach and is enthusiastic about sharing her love for biking with other families. Blair is a dedicated bike enthusiast, mechanic, and mountain bike aficionado. Parker is our invaluable resident tester and constant source of inspiration.
If you happen to see us out on the trail, please don’t hesitate to say hello!
