Hooking up your Burley D'Lite trailer to your bike is a straightforward process that ensures a safe and enjoyable ride for your passengers. It primarily involves attaching the trailer hitch to your bicycle and then securing the trailer's tow arm to that hitch, with an essential safety measure to complete the setup.
How to Hook Up a Burley D'Lite Trailer to Your Bike
Connecting your Burley D'Lite trailer involves three main steps: installing the hitch on your bike, attaching the trailer's tow arm to the hitch, and securing the safety strap.
1. Installing the Burley Hitch on Your Bicycle
The first step is to correctly install the hitch mechanism onto the rear axle of your bicycle. Most Burley trailers, including the D'Lite, use a standard forged hitch that attaches to the quick-release skewer or a thru-axle adapter on the non-drive side (left side) of your bike's rear wheel.
- For Quick-Release Skewers:
- Remove the quick-release skewer from your rear wheel.
- Slide the Burley hitch onto the skewer, ensuring the flat side of the hitch is against the bike frame and the opening for the tow arm faces backward.
- Reinsert the skewer through the wheel and frame, and tighten it securely according to your bike manufacturer's recommendations. The hitch should be firmly in place and not rotate freely.
- For Thru-Axles:
- You will need a specific Burley thru-axle adapter, which replaces your existing thru-axle.
- Remove your bike's original thru-axle.
- Install the Burley thru-axle adapter, ensuring it's tightened to the manufacturer's specified torque. The hitch portion of the adapter should be positioned correctly to accept the trailer's tow arm.
2. Connecting the Trailer's Tow Arm
Once the hitch is securely installed on your bike, you can connect the trailer's tow arm.
- Align and Insert: Position the trailer behind your bike. Lift the end of the trailer's tow arm and slide it over the hitch on your bicycle's rear axle. Ensure the holes on the tow arm and the hitch are perfectly aligned.
- Insert Hitch Pin: Push the hitch pin straight through the aligned holes on the tow arm and the hitch.
- Secure with Retainer Clip: Insert the retainer clip (often a hair-pin style clip) through the small hole at the end of the hitch pin. This clip is crucial for preventing the hitch pin from accidentally coming out during your ride.
3. Essential Safety Strap Connection
This step is a critical safety measure that provides a backup in case the primary hitch connection fails.
- Wrap the Strap: Take the nylon safety strap, which is usually attached to the tow arm of the trailer. Wrap this strap securely around the frame of your bike. It's recommended to loop it around a sturdy part of the chainstay or seatstay for maximum security.
- Clip to D-Ring: After wrapping it around the bike frame, secure the end of the safety strap to the tow arm by clipping it to the D-ring located on the tow arm itself. This creates a redundant connection, ensuring the trailer remains attached to the bike even if the primary hitch pin somehow dislodges.
Components of the Trailer Connection
Understanding the key components involved in the connection helps ensure a proper setup:
| Component | Purpose | Connection Point |
|---|---|---|
| Burley Hitch | The primary interface that connects the trailer to your bike. | Bike's rear axle (quick-release or thru-axle) |
| Tow Arm | Extends from the trailer chassis and connects to the hitch. | Burley Hitch |
| Hitch Pin | A metal pin that secures the tow arm to the hitch. | Through aligned holes in tow arm and hitch |
| Retainer Clip | Prevents the hitch pin from detaching during operation. | Through the end of the hitch pin |
| Nylon Safety Strap | Provides an essential secondary security link, preventing full detachment. | Wrapped around bike frame, clipped to D-ring on tow arm |
Pre-Ride Checks
Before every ride, perform a quick visual and manual check to ensure everything is secure:
- Hitch Connection: Tug on the tow arm to confirm it's firmly attached to the hitch and that the hitch pin and retainer clip are in place.
- Safety Strap: Verify the nylon safety strap is securely wrapped around your bike's frame and clipped to the D-ring.
- Tire Pressure: Check the tire pressure of the trailer wheels to ensure a smooth ride and proper handling.
- Visual Check: Ensure no parts are bent, cracked, or excessively worn.
By following these steps, you can confidently hook up your Burley D'Lite trailer and enjoy your adventures with peace of mind. For more detailed instructions specific to your Burley model and bike type, always refer to your trailer's owner's manual or visit the official Burley website.
