What is the Trekker’s Friend?

The Trekker’s Friend is a lightweight hiking trailer. It has two wheels and is used for trekking, hiking, or backpacking. The components of a hiking trailer are:

• An axle, with straps that allow it to be attached to your backpack. The axle has components that allow trekking poles to be attached to it and, of course, wheels that fit onto the ends of the axle.
• A top piece, that is attached to the top your shoulder straps. The top piece has components that attach to your trekking poles.
• The Trekker’s Friend is supplied in a day pack. This is made to be easily attached to the axle and your backpack to allow you to balance your load so that only a few kg is on your body.
• A harness consisting of shoulder straps and a waist strap – you can distribute the weight that is on your body between your shoulders and waist as you walk.

The Trekker’s Friend does not include a backpack or hiking poles.

How much does the Trekker’s Friend weigh and how much does it carry?

It weighs approximately 1.8 kg. This weight does not include the user’s backpack or trekking poles as they are not part of the device, and also it does not include the free spare bearings. See a later question regarding the weight of the larger sizes.

It carries up to 25kg.

Does the Trekker’s Friend include a backpack and hiking poles?

The Trekker’s Friend does not include a large backpack or hiking poles, though it does include a small daypack.

What sort of backpacks work with the Trekker’s Friend?

The Trekker’s Friend works best with backpacks that either have an internal frame or no frame at all. It will work with some backpacks that have an external frame but you should check that any external frame works properly with the axle and top piece.

What sort of hiking poles work with the Trekker’s Friend?

It is important that your hiking poles are as strong and rigid as possible. The heavier your load and/or the rougher the trail, the more important it is to have strong and rigid poles and to take care of them.

Poles should preferably made of Aluminium 7075, have the right sort of design at the bottom, which is shown in the photo. See this page for more information on poles.

What sort of terrain can the Trekker’s Friend handle?

You can travel through any terrain with the Trekker’s Friend hiking trailer, either carrying it or wheeling it.

The Trekker’s Friend can most usefully wheel your pack when the ground is smoother, less steep, harder, with less obstacles like fallen trees, less slippery, and the track is wide enough for it to pass. As the ground becomes rougher, steeper, softer, more slippery, there are more obstacles like fallen trees, or the track becomes narrower, then you carry your backpack (with the device attached).

This works well, because the times when your trekking poles are most useful in helping you to walk are exactly the times where you will want to be carrying your backpack, and therefore will have your trekking poles available. Conversely, your trekking poles are not very useful for walking when the ground is suitable for wheeling your pack.

While you may be able to wheel your pack over very rough / steep / slippery ground, the more difficult the terrain becomes, the less that wheeling it will benefit you. As the terrain becomes more difficult, the wheels will slow you down and you will use more energy to travel with them: at those times, pick it up and carry it. With a bit of practice you will learn what surfaces you can usefully wheel your pack on and what you are better to carry it on.

Is there any research to show that it is easier and faster to travel using the Trekker’s Friend?

Yes, our research, as well as research by the US military (here, which is referred to here) shows that you use less energy when you use a hiking trailer to carry your backpack. However, this only holds on good surfaces and easy terrain. When the surface is very rough, soft or slippery, using a hiking trailer will be harder than carrying your pack. This is why the Trekker’s Friend is lightweight and designed to be easily carried. When you encounter difficult terrain you carry your backpack as usual, with the Trekker’s Friend attached.

Why are there three sizes?

The axle on the Trekker’s Friend needs to fit the width of your backpack so that your backpack does not touch the wheels. You should measure the base of your backpack to order the right size Trekker’s Friend. See here for information on how to do this.

The three sizes that are available fit backpacks up to the width of the given size. For example, the 35cm size fits backpacks up to 35cm wide. There are also 40cm and 45cm sizes.

What length is the axle for each size and how much does it weigh?

The axle for the 35cm size Trekker’s Friend is 52cm long and weighs approximately 1.8 kg, not including the free spare bearings.

The axle for the 40cm size Trekker’s Friend is 57cm long and it weighs an additional 30 grams above the 35cm size.

The axle for the 45cm size Trekker’s Friend is 62cm long and it weighs an additional 30 grams above the 40cm size.

Will it fit my body?

The harness provided with the Trekker’s Friend fits most people. It fits a waist that is 70 cm / 25.5 in to 134 cm / 53 inches. The shoulder straps fit people, measured from the waist belt at the front, over the shoulder, to the waist belt at the back of 80 cm / 31.5 in to 130 cm / 51 in. If you need it, a custom-made harness can be made to suit you for no extra cost – please get in contact to arrange it

Can I use hiking poles to walk while wheeling my pack on the Trekker’s Friend?

Yes – see here for more information

How much does it cost to deliver to me?

The Trekker’s Friend is delivered via Australia Post, which can deliver to most countries in the world. If you go to the order form and enter which Trekker’s Friend you are interested in and your address information. You will see the shipping options and costs in Australian dollars.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we ship worldwide using Australia Post. There are a very few countries that Australia Post does not deliver to – we apologize for any inconvenience caused.

What is the applicable HTS code

When shipping internationally, the Harmonised Tariff Schedule code I use is 950699 (hiking equipment).

Where do you ship from?

We send all our orders from Australia.

What currency are prices in?

All prices on this website are in Australian dollars.

Can I return it free of charge?

Yes, see here for more information.

Where can I buy a Trekker’s Friend?

You can buy the Trekker’s Friend hiking trailer here.

You can also usually find it on on eBay.com.au if you are in Australia.