Best bike trailer parts and accessories

Start with the hitch coupler — it's the part that fails first. The Anley rust-proof metal coupler is my top pick: it's the one with a real track record of buyer ratings, fits a standard bike rear axle, and is cheap enough to keep a spare in the toolbox.

Who the others suit:

• VelaVibe steel coupler — if your trailer's mount uses an 11mm axle hole and you want the simplest bolt-on fix.
• Titanker upgraded coupler — a sturdier universal option for heavier pet or cargo trailers.
• Hgoty quick-clutch coupler — tool-free on/off, handy if you swap the trailer between bikes often.
• Renbin universal adapter — a fit-anything spare for mixed trailer brands.

Pair any of these with a spare tire, a safety flag and a cargo cover — those are the accessories that actually get used.