Bicycle Trailer Seat Foam
In the summer months, most of us like to make the most of the sunshine and the great outdoors by exploring the countryside on a bicycle. For children and four-legged friends who can't join us on two wheels, bicycle trailers and other metal or plastic seats affixed to bike frames are a good option.
Custom foam for bicycle trailers
Bicycle trailers are popular but often come at a high price and are limited in how customisable they are. Most are built with a metal structure and mesh inner and outer frame, and typically come without padding or seat solutions. Using eFoam's cut to size tool, even the most basic trailer can be customised to your exact specification, from contoured children's seats to simple foam mats that fit across the entire base.
Seats for children
A common concern, given that trailers are often used on rough terrain, is the comfort of a child passenger. Custom contoured seats can be made from high-density polyethylene foam that's durable and water-resistant, and these can include slots for simple restraint straps to help keep a child secure. A benefit of making your own is that each seat can be custom-fitted to a child, or, if the trailer is big enough, two adjoining seats can be made, with extra head or footrests added to preference. Our guide to car seat foam has more on child seating.
Seating for pets
Many of us want a solution for both a pet and a child. For that, an insert can combine a single contoured seat-like shape alongside a flat base foam sheet, which acts as extra padding and comfort for the four-legged friend along for the ride. If the trailer is for your dog only – or two dogs – a piece of cut-to-size foam can be tailor-made to fit each unique corner and angle, with the appropriate holes for fittings. All seat solutions can use durable, water-repellent and bacteria-resistant foam suited to outdoor and rainy-day use, and polyurethane upholstery foams can be used with an outer cover. If you're building a pet bed too, see our guide to making your own pet bed.
Fixed bike seats for toddlers
For fixed metal and plastic seats often used for toddlers, comfort is again the priority. Some are fitted with an all-in-one foam sheet, while others have a few foam components placed only on high-pressure points. Whether replacing existing foam in an original seat or creating and upholstering a new solution from scratch, we can make any component from a foam of your choice using simple hand-drawn images to illustrate your design.
For guidance on ordering or cutting foam for your custom seat solution, please contact one of our friendly advisers.
Frequently asked questions
What foam is best for a bicycle trailer seat?
High-density closed-cell polyethylene foam works well, being durable and water-resistant for outdoor and rainy-day use. Polyurethane upholstery foam can also be used with an outer cover, typically a vinyl-like material similar to that used in children's high chairs.
Can I make a custom child seat for a bike trailer?
Yes. Contoured cut-to-size foam seats can be made to fit a specific child, with slots for simple restraint straps and optional extra head or footrest elements. If the trailer is big enough, two adjoining seats can be made.
What foam should I use for a dog in a bike trailer?
A piece of cut-to-size foam tailored to fit each corner and angle of the trailer, with appropriate holes for fittings. It can be combined with a flat foam sheet as extra padding, using durable, water-repellent and bacteria-resistant foam.
