Wheel Options for Dog Strollers and Bike Trailers

The Different Dog Stroller & Dog Trailer Wheel Types
Choosing a dog stroller or dog bike trailer often involves considering many different factors and meeting various desires or needs, but one particular feature of them is often overlooked and may well help make the decision for you.
While there are several options that may draw you to a particular pet stroller or dog trailer, the wheels of either indicate the type of terrain the carriage is designed to handle, as does the size of the wheels.
Pet strollers and dog trailers come equipped with various types of wheels, each made of different material and tailored to different terrains such as city pavements, trails, or parks.
What are PU Wheels?
PU wheels refer to stroller wheels made from polyurethane foam. Unlike air-filled rubber tyres, PU wheels are solid one-piece wheels injected with foam padding and materials. As you push the dog stroller, the polyurethane foam core provides cushioning and shock absorption and rolls smoothly. PU wheels require no inflation like pneumatic tyres, thus meaning they are puncture-proof. They strike a balance between providing a comfortable ride and requiring less maintenance than air-filled options. Polyurethane is a popular choice on strollers for pets and children, allowing you to roll easily over varied terrain without dealing with flat tyres.
PU, also known as polyurethane, is made from polyurethane material, a synthetic polymer that offers excellent mechanical properties such as high durability, flexibility, and abrasion resistance. This technology is commonly used in various applications that require smooth rolling, shock absorption, and resistance to wear and tear. Examples of this can be found in products such as skateboards, rollerblades, office chairs, luggage, trolleys, and industrial equipment. They are favoured for their ability to provide good traction, reduce vibrations, and offer a quiet and smooth rolling experience. PU is also available in different sizes and hardness levels, allowing for customisation based on specific needs and preferences.
This wheel-type can be found on Ibiyaya The Beast:
Ibiyaya The Beast dog jogging stroller
The above excerpt was taken from our blog post discussing Ibiyaya The Beast:
What are EFA wheels?
EFA (Expanded Polyurethane Foam) wheels are made of a foam material. They are often used in prams because they are lightweight, puncture-proof, and low-maintenance. They are also sometimes used in other applications, such as wheelchairs. This type of foam is made by expanding small beads of polyurethane until they form a solid mass, making for a strong and lightweight end result. The material is durable and reliable, making it an ideal choice in this use case.
This technology is featured in the following models:
InnoPet Avenue pet pram
InnoPet City Hopper dog pram & pet travel system
InnoPet City Buggy dog pram
InnoPet All-Terrain dog pram
InnoPet Allure dog pram
InnoPet Adventure dog pram
InnoPet Buggy Comfort EFA ECO dog buggy
Hamax Pluto dog stroller & bike trailer
InnoPet Monaco dog pram
Are EVA tyres plastic?
EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) materials in tyres are often made from a plastic-type material. EVA is a co-polymer that is known for its durability, flexibility, and lightweight properties. It is commonly used in various products such as footwear, sports equipment, and, on some occasions, tyres. This material is a popular choice for manufacturers of children’s bicycles, pet strollers, and other lightweight recreational equipment. This is preferred because of the material’s ability to provide cushioning, traction, and resistance to punctures while remaining lightweight. Found in the InnoPet Sporty Evolution V2.0.
The above two excerpts were taken from our blog post exploring the InnoPet range:
https://silvercirclepets.co.uk/blogs/blogs/innopet-strollers-and-trailers-a-complete-guide.
This technology is featured in the following models:
InnoPet Sporty Evolution dog pram & dog bike trailer (front wheel)
Ibiyaya Combo EVA 5-in-1 pet carrier & stroller
Ibiyaya Speedy Fold dog pram
InnoPet Hercules dog stroller & trailer (front wheel)
Ibiyaya Astro Go Lite dog pram
Ibiyaya Double Decker pet bus
Ibiyaya Retro Luxe large pet stroller
Petique Chinook pet stroller
Ibiyaya Tri-Fold pet stroller
InnoPet Sporty Deluxe pet pram & dog bike trailer (front wheel)
Air Tyres
Certain strollers or trailers for pets combine the use of a foam-type tyre and also air-filled tyres, offering the best of both worlds. This mixed approach offers an aspect of convenient worry-free, low-maintenance rides while also offering the comfort and natural cushion that air-filled wheels offer. Typically, you might find that the front tyre can be made of any of the above foams, ensuring easy manoeuvring and puncture resistance, while the rear wheels - which carry most of the load - are traditional air-filled rubber tyres for optimal shock absorption and a smoother ride.
This combination is particularly common in medium to large-sized strollers, where the balance between toughness and comfort is an optimal match. Such designs suit a wide range of terrains and use cases, from daily urban walks to more challenging outdoor adventures, ensuring your pet's comfort.
- don't forget to pack a puncture repair kit and a bicycle pump.
This type of wheels can be found on following models:
InnoPet Premium Cozy pet stroller
InnoPet Hercules dog stroller & trailer (rear wheels)
InnoPet Sporty Evolution dog pram & dog bike trailer (rear wheels)
InnoPet Sporty Deluxe pet pram & dog bike trailer (rear wheels)
Petique Apollo large pet stroller
PawHut 164V 3-wheel dog jogging stroller
PawHut 197V large foldable 4-wheel pet stroller
InnoPet Buggy Comfort Air Eco
Burley Bark Ranger dog bike trailer & stroller
Burley Tail Wagon dog trailer
Croozer Jokke dog trailer
Croozer Brunno dog bike trailer
Croozer Peppa dog trailer
All Doggy Tourer dog trailers
Does your pet stroller or trailer have air-filled tyres?
An air pump is an essential part of your travel kit, keeping you on the move in the event your tyres become flat. Air-filled tyres provide better shock absorption and a smoother ride, making it more comfortable for your pet on various terrains. They also offer improved traction and stability, ensuring a safer journey for both you and your furry friend.
Finally, an appropriately filled air tyre improves the resistance of the tyre on the terrain it is being rolled on. The correctly inflated tyres make the pet stroller or trailer significantly easier to push or tow, making for an enjoyable outing for all.
Pet stroller tyre pump
Plastic Wheels
Plastic wheels on a dog stroller are popular due to the manufacturing versatility and cost-effectiveness of the material, which also lends itself to the manufacturing of any small parts that make up the plastic wheel. This adaptable material can be molded into various sizes, making it ideal for manufacturing the entire wheel assembly. Frequently found on smaller dog stroller models where they are not required to bear such heavy loads, or tackle unusual and unforgiving terrain.
Small plastic wheels are suitable for urban outings, shopping centers and buildings with winding aisles because they offer excellent manoeuvrability and agility in tight spaces, allowing you to effortlessly weave through crowds and narrow pathways. They're also tough enough to withstand the eventual impact of small stones or bumps into desks and other units.
Plastic wheels can be found on these models:
Ibiyaya Cloud 9 dog pram
Ibiyaya Easy Strolling dog pram
Other Wheel Types
Some strollers and trailer for dogs and other pets have wheel types that closely resemble the same molecular structure as other foam or air tyres, but may use slightly differently materials best suited to their intended passengers and ground usage.
Ibiyaya Grand Cruiser large dog stroller
(airless rubber-plastic wheels)
Ibiyaya Gentle Giant Wagon dog pram
(heavy-duty puncture-resistant wheels)
InnoPet Mamut XL dog pram
(puncture-free synthetic tyres)
Ibiyaya JetPaw 3-in-1
(Rubber and plastic composite wheels)
WonderFold P2 3-in-1 pet stroller & travel system
(durable rubber)
Conclusion
Selecting a stroller or trailer with the correct type of wheels can be crucial to your stroller success, and is a key consideration when thinking about which type of terrain you intend to use your pet stroller on.
By understanding the differences between the different types of wheels - from plastic and PU to air-filled tyres and EFA wheels - you can make a more informed decision on which stroller or trailer would best suit you and your life style.
Keep in mind, the perfect choice combines a balance between toughness, how much upkeep it needs, how well it cushions bumps, and how easily it turns corners. By giving a bit more thought to the wheels - something many people overlook - you'll end up with a pet stroller or dog trailer that's a pleasant experience to use. It'll give you and your four-legged friend a comfy, fuss-free ride, whether you're popping to the shops or exploring the countryside.
Replacement parts including wheels are available for most of our strollers and trailers.
Hello Judith.
Unfortunately, PawHut do not manufacture replacement parts for their strollers.
We’ve reached out to by email about this.
Best Regards
Customer Services
Silver Circle Pets
Do you carry wheels for a Pawhut dog trailer?