E-Scooter Trailers for Dive Centers and Dive Schools
An e-scooter trailer for dive centers is useful on the center’s own premises: for short, recurring routes such as from the compressor room to the jetty or from the storeroom to the entry point. The limit is weight. Depending on the model, our Hinterher trailers carry a payload of 36 to 55 kg, and heavy steel cylinders reach that figure quickly. In Germany, towing a trailer with an e-scooter is not permitted on public roads; on private premises it is generally possible with the consent of the operator.
In this article we show how to calculate the payload per trip, which trailer suits cylinders and which suits equipment, and how to secure scuba tanks on the trailer.
Which routes at a dive center suit an e-scooter trailer best
Suitable routes are fixed, paved paths on your own premises that the team covers several times a day with equipment. Typical routes are:
- from the compressor room to the cylinder issue point or the boat landing
- from the equipment store to the entry point or the training area
- from the rinse area back to the store
- from the guest car park to the dive center
A scooter and trailer combination does not belong on jetties that are narrow, floating or wet. Uncouple the trailer there and pull it the last stretch by hand.
How many scuba tanks fit on a trailer?
The number of cylinders you may load per trip depends on the trailer’s payload, not on its volume. Calculate as follows:
- Add up the weight of each cylinder, filled and with valve, as stated by the manufacturer.
- Add other items such as weights or equipment boxes.
- Compare the total with the trailer’s payload. Check whether the manufacturer states the payload or the total load including the trailer. In the second case, subtract the empty weight.
- Also check the specifications of your e-scooter’s manufacturer.
We deliberately do not state a fixed towing load for the hitch. It depends on the e-scooter and on the trailer manufacturer’s specifications. If in doubt, stay below the lowest of these values and make two trips.
Box trailer or open Hinterher cargo trailer
The open cargo trailer is the better choice for cylinders, the box trailer for sensitive equipment. Both are made by the manufacturer Hinterher, assembled by hand and fitted with a Thule-compatible drawbar. The figures are taken from our product pages (as of October 2026):
| Box trailer | Cargo trailer H series | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | closed aluminum box, dust-proof and splash-proof, removable lid | open load bed, aluminum chassis, side panel and cover |
| Sizes | 73, 115, 137 or 156 liters | Hmini, Hmax light, Hxxl light (inside dimensions 63 x 41 to 84 x 61 cm) |
| Empty weight | 14.4 to 22.5 kg | 8.1 to 10 kg |
| Total load including trailer | 65 kg | 45 kg (Hmini 45) or 65 kg |
| Payload | 42.5 to 50.6 kg depending on size | 36 kg (Hmini 45), otherwise 55 kg |
| Load securing | 4 strap eyelets, latches for padlocks and shackle locks | strap system on the side panel |
| Suspension | optional | optional |
For scuba tanks, the Hinterher cargo trailer in the Hmax light or Hxxl light version is the better choice. It carries 55 kg and weighs only 8.8 or 10 kg itself.
The box trailer suits regulators, dive computers and spare parts. The box stays clean, can be locked and left on the jetty. In return, it carries less because of the heavier box: 42.5 kg for 156 liters up to 50.6 kg for 73 liters.
We deliberately set these weight limits conservatively for use with an e-scooter. If you need more payload, we will be glad to advise you and then recommend an overrun brake. We configure the trailer individually for this.
Securing scuba tanks on the trailer
Scuba tanks must not roll or fall over while driving, and the valve needs protection. The divers’ organization DAN Europe advises not to stand cylinders upright but to wedge them so they cannot move (How to Transport a Scuba Tank). PADI also recommends always securing tanks so they cannot fall over or roll (PADI on scuba tanks).
On the trailer, this means in practice:
- Load cylinders lying down and fix them with straps, either on the strap system of the side panel or on the strap eyelets of the box.
- Fill gaps with equipment so nothing slides around.
- Protect the valves and do not let them stick out over the edge.
- Do not leave full cylinders in the trailer in the sun longer than necessary.
The last point has a technical reason. According to DAN, the internal pressure of a cylinder rises with temperature, and valve damage is a common cause of injuries (DAN, Cylinder Safety).
Include these points in your operating instructions, together with approved routes, adapted speed and regular checks of the hitch, wheels and drawbar.
Which hitch fits the Hinterher trailers
The Hinterher trailers have a Thule-compatible drawbar. On the e-scooter you therefore need the Scitch trailer hitch with Thule adapter, available in the starter package with hitch and adapter. The hitch is attached to the deck with four bolts, without drilling, and fits almost all common e-scooters. Choose the size by deck width (S up to 17 cm, M 17.1 to 22 cm, L 22.1 to 25 cm) and the mounting set by deck thickness, as described in the size table on the product page.
Where may the trailer be used? (as of October 2026)
In Germany, towing a trailer with personal light electric vehicles is not permitted in public road traffic (Section 8 eKFV, German). This ban remains in place after the amendment of the eKFV. On private premises, operation is generally possible with the consent of the operator.
Check therefore which paths actually belong to your premises. Lakeside paths, access roads to lakes and harbor roads are often public.
- Austria: Since 1 May 2026, towing a trailer with an e-scooter is not permitted (WKO on the 36th StVO amendment, German).
- Switzerland: Trailers on e-scooters (E-Trottinett) are permitted if the combination is operationally safe, the trailer including load is no more than 1.00 m wide, trailer plus load weigh no more than 80 kg and the load overhangs no more than 50 cm at the rear. In their standard version, our Hinterher trailers stay below this limit with a total load of no more than 65 kg.
- Other countries: The respective national law applies, which you should check locally.
You can find details with sources on our page E-scooter with trailer: what is allowed?. Also check with your insurer whether trailer operation is covered, especially if staff or guests drive. This section does not constitute legal advice.
Checklist before you buy
- Are the planned routes on your own or non-public premises?
- How much weight is carried per trip, and does it fit the trailer’s payload?
- What does your e-scooter’s manufacturer permit?
- Do you mainly transport cylinders or mainly equipment?
- Do you need more payload than stated? Then an overrun brake is part of it.
- Does your insurance cover trailer operation?
- Where does the ride end, and how do you continue by hand from there?
If you would like to go through these points for your dive center or need a configuration with more payload, contact us.
Frequently asked questions
May I transport scuba tanks with an e-scooter trailer on the road?
Not in Germany and Austria, where towing a trailer with an e-scooter is prohibited in public traffic. In Switzerland it is permitted under certain conditions, including a maximum of 80 kg for trailer and load. On private premises it is generally possible with the consent of the operator (as of October 2026, not legal advice).
Which trailer is suitable for scuba tanks?
The open Hinterher cargo trailer in the Hmax light or Hxxl light version. It carries a payload of 55 kg with an empty weight of 8.8 or 10 kg.
How much can the box trailer carry?
The total load is 65 kg including the trailer. After deducting the empty weight, 42.5 to 50.6 kg remain for the load, depending on the size of the box.
Are the trailers available with a brake?
Yes, on request. The overrun brake is not part of the standard range in the shop. If you want to transport more than the stated payload, we explicitly recommend it and configure the trailer individually after a consultation.





