Question about trailers
 

Hi everybody. I have 2 small children at home, and am currently looking into buying a 2-kid trailer before this coming Spring. I am leaning towards a Burley D'lite or Burley Cub but am having trouble deciding between them. Does anybody have comments about either of these, which would be better? Comments about other bike trailers would also be welcome. Thanks!
- Scott

pop this search string into google.

kid trailer burley site:bikeforums.net

We have an Encore, get a lot of use out of it. It's getting a little tight now for both our kids (5 and almost 2), close to time to move Thing 1 to a trail-a-bike when he's not pedaling (very slowly) beside us on his own ride. Basically, all other things being equal, anything to make the trailer larger inside would be better, so I might wish we had a d'lite instead of an encore (if the spec sheet is to be believed about 5 extra inches of interior width). Our local burley dealer guy generally only has one trailer in stock at a time though, and he kind of alternates between the d'lite and the encore, so encore it was.

Going back to the spec sheet, the Cub is supposed to have 16" wheels, and I have to say I love the 20" wheels on the Encore, I'd be leery of going back in that department. The Encore is a better stroller than the purpose-built jog stroller we have, attribute at least part of that to the wheels.

Do some more shopping. Burley just reorganized into a corparation from a co-op, and the product line has diminished significantly. (just trailers, no more Piccilo, tandems , or bicycles) I can't say anything if the quality has changed either way, as they refuse to allow me to rent their products at my rental shop.

Diesel,

Any reason why they will not let you rent? Liability?

We have two Burley D'lite trailers, one is really old and one was purchased last year. Sticker shock still has me liking the old trailer better, so keep your eyes open for tag sales or craigslist. That said, the new version has a bit more room and is perhaps a bit lighter. With two kids (and picnic gear or odd shaped purchases from the hardware store) you want the roomiest trailer you can find.

Consider the Trek trailers too
 

We have a Trek DoodleBug (predecessor to the current GoBug), and it's worked out well.

Only one kid, but it has space for two. We picked the Trek over the Burley because of:
- more legroom
- very good deal on a floor model ('05 trailer purchased in '06)

We haven't really had any significant problems with it. Total mileage is probably in the 1500-2000 range so far (we only bought it this past summer).

The non-significant problems:
- It took a month to get a second hitch in (LBS had to order it from Trek, Trek had it backordered for a while)
- One of the wheels had a burr in the rim that caused it to flat (where the rim is pinned). Easy enough to fix in 30 seconds with some emery cloth, but cost us a couple of tubes before we found it.

It also has a trunk that can hold 4-5 bags of groceries (some vertical stacking) without too much trouble (lots of runs with 1 kid to the grocery store, 1 kid + a bunch of groceries from the grocery store)

Lots of places rent Burley trailers... Touring Cyclist in Saint Charles, MO; another place on the Katy by Columbia; I know there's a place on the Burke-Gillman trail here that rents 'em.

I have an ancient Burley D'Lite which had obviously been through many kids before it went through mine (still going actually, although it has been through 3 kids and is on the last one right now). Great trailer, durable too.

Those aren't Fortune 500 companies like I work for. When I called to place an order back in the spring, I got this hippie, left wing, liberal bravo serria about how they don't want to sully their name by having a big multinational corparation rent thier guano doesn't stink trailers. So I bought some pretty nice Chinese made trailers from J&B Importers and had the old Burleys crushed.

I have a Chariot Caddie that my kids and I love! You might check them out before you purchase. They are on par with Burley and the Trek trailers, all of which are good.

I second the Chariot. Good stuff. I'm contemplating the side car type for my little one:
http://www.chariotcarriers.com/media..._water_low.jpg

You didn't mention your children's ages. If its likely that only one of them is going to need it at a time I'd go for the narrower model. For shopping trips into the store or even on some bike paths the 2 kid version just felt wrong-sized.

I am new here, and am going to post a question on the main board, but I am interested in a 2 kid trailer. My children are 9 months and 2 years. I was wondering if I needed a trailer or one of those things that go right behind your rear. My husband would also have to ride with us if I did it that way. Do trailers turn easily? I would mostly be using the bike to ride around a 3.65 mile around park - there are bike lanes except for 2 small sections...

You can use most trailers with a rear mounted child seat. I rent that combo about twice a week in the busy summer season.

We have a D'Lite and if I had to do over again, I'd buy a Chariot. I don't like the fact that you have to pay extra for the stroller option and it looks awkward when it is attached. On our trailer it's also fairly easy to break the plastic on the struts by overtightening the inside strap that makes up part of the seat. This may be fixed on new models (I think mine is 2003).

I think my next child-carrier system will be an xtracycle though. I like having the kid close to me so I can keep an eye on him.

You could give them another try, maybe they've toned down the hippie rhetoric after the recent hard times at Burley. They are no longer a cooperative; I think they are a corporation now. And pretty much run by the guy who bought 'em out...

I have a Burley, and it's been good for me. A lot of the bike trailers are Burley knockoffs - they don't seem better than the original. I like the Chariot - I think some of the Trek-branded trailers are Chariots - it's a different, sleeker design.

I want to get a tandem and let my little tot pull his own weight. He's finally learned to pedal (hooray!) a Big Wheel. I bet we could really bomb down the MUP in a tandem!

When did you all find was the right age to throw the kid in a trailer and ride?

Some have strapped infant carriers into trailers and ridden with <6 month olds. Most think ~1 year (some as early as 10mos) is okay for them to sit in the trailer.

Check local and state laws first. For instance, Georiga requires the child to be one year of age.

I second this recommendation. I bought a Trek Deluxe GoBug this summer. My friends that have Burley's are always complimenting me on my fancy trailer. :)