The Blue Bird company, which specializes in the manufacture of all types of bicycle trailers, was founded in 1929 as a brand of MONK International GmbH & Co.
Blue Bird bicycle trailers are considered to be extremely durable, safe and comfortable. The simple operation and the fair price-performance ratio are also part of the self-image of the brand.
In the dog trailer category, Blue Bird has two models in its range. The Blue Bird 20» is suitable for medium-sized to large dogs, while the Blue Bird Mini (12») is designed for small dogs with a shoulder height of up to 30 cm.
Accordingly, the Blue Bird 20» is also significantly larger than its little brother, which has the same equipment – to be more precise, 20cm longer and 24cm wider.
Both dog hangers feature the cube design typical of the brand.
Particularly noteworthy is the low dead weight of the trailer. The Mini weighs only 9 kilograms, the 20» dog trailer 14.5 kilograms. I always store my dog trailer in the basement when I don’t need it. That’s why I pay close attention to the weight, because I don’t feel like towing myself with a heavy trailer.
With Blue Bird’s lightweight hangers, carrying is no problem. And even when cycling, it is noticeable that the trailer is very light. I need significantly less physical exertion and I don’t get out of breath so quickly even on mountains.
Purchase advice – you should think about this before you buy
Are you looking for a cheap dog trailer for relaxed bike tours with your four-legged friend? Then a Blue Bird dog trailer might be just the thing for you. Depending on how big your dog is, you can choose between two different sizes.
The entrances to the trailer are generous, so that dogs with claustrophobia can easily enter the trailer. To get used to it, you can open the front and rear doors so your dog can get in and out in either direction.
As Blue Bird dog trailers do not have a suspension, they are not suitable for use on uneven paths. A trailer with suspension is also recommended for dogs with joint problems or four-legged friends who quickly become nauseous when driving unsteadily. However, for healthy dogs and bike rides on paved, slippery paths, Blue Bird bike trailers are a good, inexpensive choice.
- measure your dog and determine a suitable size.
- consider where you want to drive the trailer (rough terrain or smooth bike paths).
- make sure that the trailer is approved for the weight of your dog.
What can the Blue Bird dog trailer do?
Construction & assembly on the bike
The Blue Bird dog trailer 20″ is ideal for large & heavy dogs.
I don’t know about your manual skills. That’s why I can only speak for myself – and I’m absolutely zero in terms of craftsmanship. Nevertheless, setting up the Blue Bird trailer is easy. You don’t need any additional tools, which suits me very well. What goes where is self-explanatory. Sometimes it takes a little force to snap the pieces together and fasten them properly. All in all, the assembly only takes a few minutes, even for laypersons.
The next step is to attach the trailer to the bike. The manufacturer supplies all necessary utensils. In addition to a drawbar, a coupling for attachment to the hub gear is also included. The trailer is attached to the rear axle of the bike and is suitable for bikes up to 26 inches.
Security
If you want to take part in traffic with the dog trailer, the trailer must be as safe as possible.
Starting with the stability, the Blue Bird trailers seem to be very robust in both the mini and the 20 inch version due to the steel construction. All materials are of high quality and designed for durability.
The corners and edges are rounded so that neither your dog nor you can injure yourself on the trailer. Inside the trailer there are several eyelets to which one or more dogs can be leashed. The leash acts like a kind of safety belt in the car and prevents your darling from being thrown through the car in the event of a sharp bend or emergency braking.
In order to ensure a safe journey, the permissible total weight must not be exceeded. For both sizes, this is 40 kilograms. Minus the trailer’s own weight, dogs up to 30 kilograms can travel in the Mini and up to 25 kilograms in the 20» trailer. It doesn’t matter whether you take a dog or several dogs with you. If the total weight is exceeded, the stability of the trailer suffers and material damage can result from the overload. In addition, driving behavior is impaired if dogs that are too heavy are transported. This increases the risk of the trailer skidding or tipping over. In order not to endanger you and your dog, it is therefore very important that you pay attention to correct loading.
The wide track spacing and the stable structure ensure a pleasant driving experience. The trailer does not break out even in curves and can be maneuvered safely.
Reflectors on the wheels (only on the 20» model) and on the back of the trailer also ensure safety. A safety flag is also included with the Blue Bird 20». The rear light on bicycle trailers, which is mandatory according to the StVZO, is not supplied with any of the models and must be ordered separately.
Comfort
The Blue Bird dog trailers are known for their low, large openings at the front and back. These can be opened with zippers and offer your dog plenty of space when getting in and out.
The low opening ensures that your four-legged friend does not have to lift his legs so far up. This is particularly useful for older dogs whose limbs are aching.
The interior is very spacious. The plastic floor is easy to clean and also has an anti-slip mat for more grip.
The large windows on the roof and all sides ensure good ventilation. The mesh fabric also protects against insects in summer. The roof window can be closed so that your darling doesn’t get too warm on hot days. The interior is in the shade and does not heat up as much. The Blue Bird Mini even has an additional function.
The roof window can be opened completely while driving. Then your dog can stick his head out like in a convertible and flap his ears in the wind. Many dogs really enjoy this. Unfortunately, no convertible function is possible with the larger Blue Bird 20».
The outer material consists of 600D polyester with a water-repellent function. The material keeps off short rain showers well, and if it rains heavily, I recommend buying an additional rain cover so that your four-legged companion doesn’t get wet.
Another model can also score in terms of comfort: the Doggyhut dog trailer offers a lot of security and comfort. Many customers praise its pleasant driving style. In addition, it can be used flexibly.
Do Blue Bird trailers have suspension?
There is no extra springing for either size. The air-filled wheels cushion small bumps – especially the 20-inch wheels – but driving on very bumpy roads is not recommended.
Therefore, the Blue Bird dog trailers are not suitable for off-road tours. On paved bike paths, however, the lack of suspension is less of a problem. With a little less pressure on the trailer tires, you can create a cushioning effect. But make sure that the pressure is not too low, because then the tire and the entire chassis will be affected.
What else can the bicycle trailer do?
The Blue Bird dog trailer can also be easily converted into a jogger 🙂
The cube design of the two Blue Bird trailers is very practical for transporting other things as well. Therefore, using it as a cargo trailer is not a problem as long as the total weight of the combination is not exceeded.
If you don’t need the trailer, you can fold it up in a few simple steps and stow it away to save space. This is also practical if you want to take the trailer with you in the car.
The Blue Bird Mini dog trailer can also be used as a dog buggy and jogger. Both a push handle and the front wheel are supplied with the bicycle trailer. This additional option is not available for the larger Blue Bird 20» dog trailer.
It is known from other dog trailers that they can also be used as dog boxes in the car without any problems. This multiple use is not possible with Blue Bird trailers. The reason for this is relatively simple: even if you remove the wheels, the trailers do not lie flat on the ground. There is therefore a risk that the trailer will tip over while driving. Since there are no fastening options for car seat belts on the outside, the trailers cannot be used as car boxes.
Blue Bird dog trailer spare parts
The manufacturer does not have its own online shop. If you need replacement parts, you can order them from Amazon. If you need a special spare part such as a rain cover, you can also contact the manufacturer directly.
customer opinions
The previous customers gave the Blue Bird dog trailers a good overall rating. Above all, the price-performance ratio is rated positively. The pleasant driving behavior on level roads, the light structure and the high level of comfort are just as emphasized as the good workmanship.
The main point of criticism is the reflectors, which do not comply with the German Road Traffic Act and have to be retrofitted accordingly.
Conclusion
The Blue Bird dog trailers are stable, safe and comfortable trailers at a fair price. There are two sizes to choose from, but the trailers are not suitable for very large and, above all, heavy dogs.
The lack of suspension is partly compensated for by the 20-inch tires, especially on the larger model. Nevertheless, the Blue Bird dog trailers are not suitable for driving on uneven paths. Developed cycle paths and roads, on the other hand, are not a problem.
If you want to learn more about Blue Bird dog trailers, you can read more on Amazon: