Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Q. Why buy a Burley when there are less expensive child/pet trailers and strollers on the market?
A. Experience, Quality, and Durability. At Burley, we strive to produce safe, high quality products that are durable, fun, and well designed at a great value. We aren't interested in making the cheapest product on the market. We don't stop until we know we have done our best to make a safe, fun way for you and your family to spend time together enjoying the outdoors. Burley has been building high quality family cycling products since 1978. Our testing and safety standards are the most rigorous in the industry, and we helped create the ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) safety standards for the child bicycle trailer market.

Our full line of child and pet trailer designs are based on more than 30 years experience in making top quality bicycle trailers. Our trailers are easy to tow because we placed the axle at the back of the trailer for added stability. Because of our unique hitch and tow bar design, the trailer tracks behind your bike more efficiently than other trailers. The parts we use are high quality and will provide you and family with many years of fun. In fact, our trailers are so durable that many people are able to sell their used Burley trailers for 50% to 75% of their original purchase price after years of use. Our stroller kit uses metal and plastic pieces to create an adjustable, pivoting wheel that you can use around town or on packed dirt trails.

At Burley, we take pride in what we do and we wouldn't put our name on anything that isn't good enough for our children or pets. If it isn't good enough for us, it isn't good enough for you.
Q. Where can I purchase Burley trailers and accessories?
A. Burley trailers are sold worldwide. To find a Burley Dealer near you, use our dealer locator found at the top of our website. Burley replacement parts and accessories are available in our store section.
Q. Where can I find pricing for Burley trailers and accessories?
A. Please contact your Authorized Burley Dealer for pricing. Retail prices may vary due to regional market conditions, transportation costs, and other factors. Click on our dealer finder link to find the Authorized Burley Dealer nearest you.

All trailers on our website have the US MSRP listed. Please keep in mind that retail prices may vary due to regional market conditions, transportation costs, and other factors. Please use our dealer locator to find an Authorized Burley Dealer for the most up-to-date pricing.
Q. How can I receive a catalog?
A. You can download our catalog with the link found in the upper right corner of our website or request a paper copy by sending your request to burley@burley.com.
Q. Does my Burley trailer have a warranty?
A. Yes. Every new Burley trailer comes with a limited warranty issued to the original owner. Fill out and return the warranty card that comes with your product or register online on our support page.
Q. Is my warranty transferable?
A. No. The Burley trailer warranty only applies to the original owner.
Q. I have a bike that has a non-traditional type of frame and I'd like to purchase a Burley trailer. Will the Burley hitch work?
A. Here are our guidelines for selecting a hitch to fit your bike.

Standard Forged Hitch: Designed to fit most bicycles and comes with every Burley child and pet trailer. Also comes with the Nomad and Flatbed cargo trailers.
  • Works with disc brake and full suspension. Does not fit all Breezer style dropouts
  • Made of forged 6061 T6 aluminum
  • Mono-stays require a longer safety strap which can be purchased separately
  • Fits both quick release and 9.5 mm and 10.5 mm nutted axles
Classic Hitch: Burley's patented pivoting hitch designed for easy attachment to most traditional bikes
  • Comes with safety strap
  • Stays attached to the trailer's tongue and switches easily between traditional bike frames
  • Works with bicycles with Breezer style drop outs. Does not fit with most bicycles with disc brake or rear suspension
  • Does not fit mono stay bicycles
Q. Why does my trailer tow off to the side of my bicycle?
A. Burley has aligned the hitch along the centerline of the trailer and not along the centerline of the bike. This allows the trailer to track straight and makes towing a Burley trailer easier. If the trailer was designed to pull directly behind the bike with the centerline of the trailer aligned with the centerline of the bike, the hitch would have to angle to the left side of the trailer to hook to the bike. This would make the trailer want to constantly drift out and the trailer would not track in a straight line.
Q. How can I order replacement parts for my Burley trailer?
A. Replacement parts for all Burley trailers can be ordered from our store or through your local Burley dealer.

Child Trailers

Q. How old should a child be to ride in a Burley trailer?
A. To ride in a Burley trailer behind a bicycle, the industry standard is to wait until a child is one year old. While each child's physical development is unique, we recommend that a child should be able to sit upright unattended and hold his or her head up while wearing a bicycle helmet. Please check with your pediatrician if you are in doubt about your child's neck strength.

For strolling or jogging in a Burley trailer, a child should be able to sit upright unattended, which generally occurs around six months of age. The Burley Baby Snuggler™ is recommended for extra support and comfort for children ages 6-24 months.  Please check with your pediatrician if you are in doubt about your child's neck strength. 

Children typically are able to ride in the trailer until about age six, or until they become too tall for their helmet to fit below the internal roll bar.
Q. Does my child need to wear a helmet in the trailer?
A. Yes. A child should always wear a helmet when riding in a trailer towed behind a bicycle. A helmet will protect him or her and also help develop the habit of always riding with a bike helmet. All Burley child trailers feature a recessed helmet pocket, ensuring comfort and convenience for your child.
Q. Do Burley trailers meet ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) requirements?
A. Yes, all Burley child trailers are designed and rigorously tested to meet and exceed these standards. In fact, Burley paved the way in creating these safety standards. Families have come to trust Burley trailers for the safety and durability of our products for more than 30 years. Burley's in-house protocols are the toughest in the industry. Our aluminum structure and restraint system are all about safety. We put these features and all other elements included with our trailers through more than 20 different testing protocols for hundreds of hours before a Burley trailer design is approved. Our testing program has evolved to ensure that our trailers continue to provide safe transportation for children and pets.
Q. How can I tell if a bicycle trailer is safe for my child to ride in?
A. All Burley child trailers are designed, tested, and manufactured to meet ASTM standards. To confirm your trailer also meets these standards, check the trailer for a label that says: Meets and exceeds ASTM safety requirements. This means the trailer has been through a series of tests and meets the requirements established by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
Q. Besides, the ASTM designation, what other safety features should I look for when shopping for a trailer?
A. Look for these features found on every Burley trailer:
  • Drum-tight, gap-free fabric panels that protect children from moving wheels.
  • Durable material in bright colors to be easily noticed on the road.
  • Secondary safety hitch strap for an extra measure of security.
  • Five-point safety harness system.
  • Strong aluminum frame and roll cage system to completely surround your child.
  • Reflective materials and CSPC-approved reflectors.
  • A safety flag that attaches to the trailer.
  • Made-to-last quality and durable construction. Burleys are made with heavy duty aluminum hinges.
  • The ASTM label indicates that the trailer meets or exceeds the American Society of Testing Materials safety requirements.
Q. What's the difference between using a bicycle child trailer and a bike-mounted child seat?
A. We believe a bicycle trailer is the safest way to bicycle with young children. A bike-mounted child seat has three drawbacks:
  1. If you have a mishap and the bike falls over the child will fall with the bike from a height of about three feet. Burley trailers stay standing on both wheels in the event that the bike tips over.
  2. A bike seat places the child's weight high above and behind the rear axle. This negatively affects the handling and stability of the bike, particularly on a single bike. A Burley trailer hitch is designed to provide superior tracking for the towing bicycle, and the children's weight in the trailer is balanced to provide a smooth ride for both the cyclist and the passengers.
  3. There's very little rollover protection for the child in a bike-mounted child seat. All Burley trailers have an all metal frame construction which surrounds the passengers and a 5-point harness system to protect children in the event of a roll over.
Q. Is there a way to turn my Burley trailer into a stroller? How does it work? What does it include?
A. The Burley Stroller Kit and the Burley Two Wheel Stroller Kit are available for all Burley child trailers that are 2004-2005 and newer (except the Bee™ model). Once installed, your trailer converts into a stable, sturdy stroller. With a Burley Stroller Kit, you can switch between bike trailer and stroller in less than a minute without any tools. The Burley Stroller Kit package includes a retractable front wheel and safety wrist tether. The wheel stays on your trailer so when you arrive at your destination, you simply detach the trailer from your bike, turn the knob to place the stroller wheel on the ground and away you go. Your trailer comes with a parking brake and adjustable, padded push handle. The Burley Two Wheel Stroller Kit is available for those who will be using their Burley primarily as a stroller, and eliminates the extra length that the tow bar uses, increasing maneuverability in tight spaces.
Q. Is there a way to turn my Burley trailer into a jogger? How does it work? What does it include?
A. A Jogger Kit is available for the following Burley trailers: 2004 and newer D'Lite, 2005 and newer Encore, and 2007 and newer Solo. This kit quickly coverts your trailer into an easily maneuverable jogger. The Burley Jogger Kit package includes a 16-inch alloy spoked front wheel for easy running and jogging. Your Burley Jogger Kit keeps your children completely protected from the elements and they can keep their snacks and toys close at hand during your outing. Your trailer already comes with a parking brake and adjustable padded handle, so you'll be ready to go. The D'Lite, Solo and Encore feature a handy mesh pocket in the rear cargo area to keep a water bottle, keys, wallet, and other parent items within handy reach. Each trailer model has a specific Jogger Kit, so be sure to know which year and model of trailer you have before you place your order.
Q. Does the window material used on Burley child trailers protect children from harmful UV rays?
A. Yes. The window material used on all Burleys (both the clear and the tinted) has been tested to resist 85% of ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB).

Cargo Trailers

Q. What is the advantage of using the Nomad trailer instead of panniers?
A. The Nomad allows you to easily take 100 pounds of gear with you, without compromising the stability and maneuverability of your bicycle. To take an equivalent amount of gear using panniers, you would need to use four bags - two in front and two in the rear. When this weight is loaded directly on the bicycle, it can create handling problems and create wear on your bike. The Burley trailer hitch is designed to provide superior tracking while balancing the load for a smooth ride. Towing a Nomad enables you to keep the load off of the bike so that your bike handles normally.
Q. Will the Nomad work for a cross-country trip?
A. Yes. The Nomad is designed to carry the gear required for long touring trips. It has been tested both in the lab and on the road for durability. Our employees have high standards for the equipment they use for bike touring, and they have taken Nomads all over the country and beyond. With two compartments, removable cover and the Cargo Rack accessory, there is plenty of usable space for gear, food and imagination.
Q. What is the advantage of a two-wheel trailer over a one-wheel trailer?
A. The two-wheel design combined with a low tow bar-weight won't compromise bike handling. The low tow bar-weight places a lighter load on your bike. With a ten percent tow bar load, 50 pounds in your trailer equals less than 10 pounds on your bike. The two wheels of the Nomad and Flatbed allow the trailers to stay upright, making loading, unloading, and even storage effortless. One-wheel trailers tip to the side when not attached to the bike. In addition, one-wheeled trailers can be more finicky about load balance. While an improperly loaded one-wheeled trailer can negatively affect your bicycle's handling, the Nomad's design ensures smooth riding for long distances.
Q. How does the Nomad fold?
A. The Nomad disassembles in less than a minute by removing the quick-release wheels, tow bar, and side panels. It folds to 32.5" x 19" x 9".

Commuter Trailers

Q. Why use the Travoy for commuting?
A. The Travoy carries up to 60 lb. of cargo and folds to briefcase size. It comes with a tote bag and has many different bag options. The Travoy weighs less than 10 pounds and its patent pending hitch design makes hitching and unhitching effortless with one hand.

Pet Trailers

Q. Is it possible to use the Burley Tail Wagon for activities other than cycling?
A. You bet! We love the outdoors and wanted to provide a safe and fun way for pets and their people to walk, run and cycle together.
For cycling: Your Burley Tail Wagon comes ready to attach to your bicycle. Simply attach the standard hitch to your bike as shown in the owner's manual and you are ready to roll.
For walking or running: The Burley Tail Wagon pet trailer is compatible with the Stroller Kits. Once your Burley Stroller kit is installed, it coverts your pet trailer into a stable, sturdy stroller. You can switch between bike trailer and stroller in less than a minute without any tools.
Q. What is the maximum weight capacity of the Burley Tail Wagon?
A. The maximum weight capacity of the Burley pet trailer is 75 pounds. However, you should check your pet's dimensions and not just the weight. The internal dimensions of the trailer are 18" x 32.5". Be sure to check the height, width and length of the trailer compared to your pet. If you have concerns about whether your pet will fit, use masking tape or newspaper on the floor to create a rectangle equal to the length and width of the pet stroller. This will give you an idea of how your pet may fit when he or she is sitting or lying down. In a pet stroller, your pet doesn't need room to run around, but your cat or dog must be able to sit, stand, turn around, and curl up comfortably.
Q. Will the Burley Tail Wagon be comfortable for my small dog or cat?
A. Yes, and when you get to your destination, you may find your pet likes the comfort and safety of a home away from home. It doubles as a convenient kennel.
Q. How can I help my pet adjust to our new Burley Tail Wagon?
A. As with any change to a pet's habits, give your pet a little time to adjust to the Tail Wagon. Some cats and dogs will be unsure of the trailer at first, but virtually all pets will get comfortable eventually and regard trips in the Tail Wagon as a treat.
  • Try leaving the pet trailer open and available to your pet with some treats inside the trailer. Let your pet explore the pet trailer and get to the treats inside. Be sure to use the brake that comes with the Tail Wagon so the trailer doesn't move while your pet explores it. Many pets will begin to treat the stationary trailer like a bed or perch.
  • Before going out of doors, try wheeling your pet to an open door or window. Let your pet associate the trailer with the great outdoors, but allow him or her to get acclimated from the safety of indoors first.
  • Reward your pet with a treat the first couple of times you use the pet trailer.
  • Plan a few quiet trips first. Pet trailers are great for taking pets to crowded or hectic environments, but plan your first couple of trips to nearby destinations that are quieter and during times that are less busy. Let your pet get used to the new trailer experience without too much hustle and bustle.
  • Place a favorite blanket inside a stationary pet trailer. A familiar blanket will provide a sense of safety and will allow your pet to hide when he or she wants some privacy.
  • Once accustomed to the pet trailer, only put your pet in the trailer when headed outside. Your pet should associate the pet trailer with the enjoyment of being out of doors rather than with being confined indoors.
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