Are there general maintenance tips for my Burley trailer?
We recommend servicing the parts on your Burley trailer regularly. Tire innertubes may require maintenance similar to a bicycle. Due to the nature of the material and the function of the part, we recommend replacing the Flex Connector every 3-5 years. For longer Burley product life, store your trailer indoors. If trailer is stored outdoors in a covered area, help protect the trailer with a Burley Storage Cover. The trailer should not be stored at temperatures less than -10°F (-23°C) or greater than 150°F (65°C). Tires should not be stored in contact with the trailer windows as window discoloration may result.
For additional maintenance steps, see your trailer manual.
How do I clean my Burley trailer?
Most Burley products are spot-clean only with a mild detergent (no bleach). We do not recommend putting any fabric parts of trailers in a washing machine. Some accessories are machine washable as noted on the product tag.
Kid Trailer
What conversion kits are compatible with my trailer?
The Burley Bee is a bike-only trailer and is only compatible with the 16+ Wheel Kit. The Burley Honey Bee is compatible with the 1-Wheel Stroller Kit and 16+ Wheel Kit. The Encore X and D’Lite X trailers feature all-kit compatibility. The Cub X is compatible with all conversion kits except the 16+ Wheel Kit.
Can I tighten the handlebar on my kid trailer?
If your handlebar is slipping while pushing on it, it is likely that the tension rod needs to be tightened.
There is a lever on the right-hand side, and an exposed barrel nut on the left to adjust the handlebar rod tension if needed. Below are some helpful instructions:
- On the right-hand side of the trailer's handlebar is the lever that locks the handlebar in place. Open this up into the unlocked position.
- On the left-hand side of the trailer, you will see a small barrel nut (it looks like a small soda can). On newer model trailers there is a clam shell shaped cover over this component. Open this cover with a 5mm hex key to expose the barrel nut.
- Stand on the left-hand side of the trailer and with your left arm reach across the trailer to the other side of the handlebar.
- Squeeze the handlebar between your hip and your hand on the opposite side. This will help pop out the barrel nut from its housing.
- Tighten the barrel nut in 180 degree increments to improve the locking power of the lever.
- Be sure not to over tighten the barrel nut as this can cause too much tension, making it possible to snap the cinch lever which holds the handlebar in place.
Is there a solution for my child slumping or leaning over while in the trailer seat?
If a child has not quite “grown in” to the trailer seat and helmet pocket yet, often we recommend placing a folded towel underneath or behind them. A pillow is another great option that may provide added comfort and height. The helmet pocket is meant to provide a little give so the rear curve of the helmet can fit in the recess, but it is not meant for more significant coverage of the helmet. A kid trailer with reclining features may be optimal for younger children when strolling as well as biking.
Can I seat a single child in the center of a double kid trailer?
Due to updated safety standards, our double kid bike trailers from 2016 to present do not allow for a center seating position. The ASTM now requires a 5-point buckle instead of the 5-point harness previously used. When bicycling with a single child in a double trailer, we suggest they be seated on the side opposite traffic.
I’m opening the trailer for the first time and the fabric is very tight making it difficult. How can this be fixed?
Burley has always stood above other brands with our established quality and safety standards. One of our most important features is the drum-tight fabric on every child trailer. This ensures your child’s safety by preventing fingers or limbs from contacting the moving wheels and spokes of your trailer. The drum-tight fabric on each Burley trailer can make the first opening of your trailer a little difficult. It may require 2 adults to get the trailer set up initially. Leaving your trailer open for the first week (5-7 days) after the initial setup will allow the fabric to relax into place and make future opening easier.
Trailer Specific Tips:
Bee, Minnow, and Tail Wagon trailers:
While the trailer is collapsed, you can loosen the rear corner Velcro (still have about a half inch overlap), then try to set it up again to ensure it is safely put together. As the fabric relaxes in this position, it can be tightened slightly later on so that it is more securely fastened.
Kid trailers with handlebar:
For reference, see the illustration from the current trailer manual below. It may be that the front bar is being pulled straight back and possibly upwards if using an overhand grip. This will cause the bar to hit the “blocks” on the sides of the clamps. As the illustration shows, the front bar must go downwards so that it slips under the blocks as it is pulled back and meets the clamps on the rear frame bar. An underhanded grip is recommended for this motion. Focusing on squeezing together the left or right side first (instead of center) can also help the second one to easily lock in place.
Pet Trailer
How can I keep my small pet contained in the Tail Wagon pet trailer?
Training is the best solution to ensure your pet's safety and enjoyment of the trailer. Preparing them adequately for the motion and containment of the trailer is a key point in the Pet Trailer Training Series with certified dog trainer Maria Schultz.
Check that the back cover is properly secured. First secure the cover in place and then buckle the black rear flap over the cover. Overlapping the fabric in this manner will keep you pets more secure. This is noted in the owner’s manual as well.
How do I make sure the trailer wheel quick release levers are tight on the pre-2021 Tail Wagon?
When inserting and securing the Tail Wagon QR wheel, the quick-release lever should leave an imprint on your palm when closing the quick release towards the rear of the trailer. If the quick release is too easy to push closed, remove the wheel from the trailer axle and tighten down the quick-release nut. This will create a more snug fit for the quick release wedges and hold the wheel in place within the trailer axle.
Can my pet trailer be converted into a child-carrier?
The Tail Wagon is a pet-only trailer and does not have the seat and harness system included to safely carry children. It is not designed or safe for carrying children.
Cargo Trailer
What is the difference between a two-wheeled and single-wheel cargo trailer?
With two-wheel trailers, like the Nomad and Flatbed, the cargo weight is centered on the axle of the trailer, leaving only 10% of the load on the rear axle of the bicycle. Therefore, a two-wheel trailer will affect the side-to-side handling of the bicycle far less than a single wheel. This is a great option for the touring cyclist, urban courier, or bikepacking.
The single-wheeled Coho XC will not flip on rough terrain and can navigate through thinner single-track trails. The dual, rigid connection to the bike does mean that the cargo weight in the trailer will affect the handling of the bike and cause additional “lean” when maneuvering. This is a great trailer option for the technical rider on single-track trails.
General
Where is Burley Design located?
Burley Design is located in Eugene, Oregon. All our products are designed and tested in-house in the Pacific Northwest. All current trailer manufacturing takes place in China. Our office and warehouse is located at 1500 Westec Dr., Eugene, OR 97402. Please note, we do not have a physical retail location. See your local Burley dealer for in-person product information.
Dealer Locator (USA and International)
How do I become a Burley dealer?
Thank you for your interest in selling Burley products. We are always interested in finding new business partners to sell and distribute our legendary trailers and bike accessories. Please visit the following link for more information.
Can I submit a product design or product request?
Our product development team is constantly evaluating our products and appreciates all feedback. Any new products or product updates take a lot of time to research, develop, create, test, etc. so we appreciate your patience in the interim. If you would like to submit feedback or a product idea, please email IP@Burley.com and we will contact you with any questions or comments we may have.
How can I stay up to date on new Burley products or online promotions?
Thank you for your interest in Burley products. For information on new and upcoming products, see the link below. Also, sign up for our mailing list to get the latest Burley news and updates.