Burley Pet Trailer User Manual

Stroll Bike Ski Jog

Owner’s Instruction and

Safety Manual

pet trailer

Burley Tail Wagon

™

Burley Tail Wagon™ model shown

(Stroller Kit and Kickstand are Sold Separately)

Contents

Owner’s Instruction
and Safety Manual

Burley Tail Wagon

™

3 Introduction

3 Safety Guidelines

3 Parts Bag Contents

3 Tools Required

4 Installing Light

4 Installing Wheel Guard Tube

4 Opening Your Trailer

5 Attaching Wheels

5 Attaching Handle

5 Installing Tow Bar

6 Attaching Cover

6 Attaching Tailgate

7 Removing Floor

8 Installing Safety Flag

8 Using Parking Brake

9 Hitching Trailer to Your Bicycle

10 Safety Checklists

10 Maintenance and Storage

10 Replacement Parts List

11 Replacement Parts Diagram

12 Warranty

Congratulations!

Your Burley® trailer is the leading choice of refined bicycle
trailer owners worldwide. Every effort has been made to
ensure your purchase is a top-quality, thoroughly-tested
design, ready to provide many years and miles of happy, safe
trailering.

Please go to www.burley.com or contact us at burley@burley.
com to register your warranty information.

IMPORTANT

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH
YOUR BURLEY BY READING THIS ENTIRE MANUAL BEFORE USE.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR
AUTHORIZED BURLEY DEALER OR VISIT WWW.BU RLEY.COM.

Introduction

Once you’ve done the initial assembly and read the safety
guidelines, you’re ready to go! Before trailering, be sure you
have the tow bar, trailer wheels and hitch securely attached.

Note: Any reference to left or right is made in direction of

travel, as if you were standing behind the trailer,
looking forward.

9. Only use factory-supplies wheels, with the tires inflated
to the pressure recommended on tire sidewall. Check
the tires before each use. Do not use higher-pressure or
knobby tires.

10. Clamp the hitch securely to the bicycle frame, and check
for a tight attachment before each ride.

11. Do not make alterations to the trailer. Contact your
Authorized Burley Dealer or go to www.burley.com for
replacement of any damaged, worn-out or missing parts.

12. Do not use your trailer on icy roads or when inclement
weather makes cycling hazardous.

13. The use of a mirror on your bicycle is recommended.

Parts Bag Contents:

(1) Burley Owner’s Instruction and Safety Manual
(1) Bracket
(1) Red light with batteries
(1) Hitch
(1) Wheel guard tube with:
(2) screws, (1) 5mm hex key wrench

Other Tools Required: Phillips screwdriver

25mm (1”) wrench

Safety Guidelines

WARNING

BICYCLING WITH A TRAILER, AND BICYCLING IN GENERAL, CAN
BE HAZARDOUS. FAILURE TO OBSERVE ANY OF THE SAFETY
GUIDELINES IN THIS MANUAL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT
AND SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

1. Inspect and maintain your bicycle and trailer regularly. See
“Safety Checklists” on page 10.

2. This trailer is designed for one pet weighing up to 75 lbs
(34 kg). Never carry a larger pet, as the extra weight and
higher center of gravity may cause the trailer to tip over.

3. Because of the trailer’s additional weight, a bicycle pulling
a trailer is heavier and less responsive. Avoid sudden
swerving, rocks and curbs.

4. Experiment with your pet in the trailer by taking short trips
in an uncongested area until you both are accustomed to
the trailer. Train your animal companion to sit or lie when
the trailer is in motion. Never tow an excitable pet, as they
may lunge or jump, causing the trailer to tip over.

5. To protect your pet from jumping from the moving
trailer, always use your cover and never leave your pet
unattended.

6. Observe recommended speeds: a maximum of 15mph
(24km/h) on smooth, straight roads, and 5 mph (8km/h)
or less when turning or on uneven roads.

7. Never use your pet trailer for transporting people.

8. Never pull your trailer with a motorized vehicle.

B U R LE Y TA I L WA G O N O W N E R ’ S IN S TR U CT I ON A N D S AF E T Y M A N U A L 3

Installing Light

4 B U R LE Y TA I L WA G O N O W N E R ’ S IN S TR U CT I ON A N D S AF E T Y M A N U A L

1. Slide clip on light into bracket channel.

2. Mount light/bracket on rear side frame tube, on side
closest to traffic. Tighten bracket screw. PHOTO 1

Note: Make sure light switch is accessible. PHOTO 1

Installing Wheel Guard Tube

1. With wheel guard tube ends facing toward the wheels
(away from the trailer front), match holes in wheel guard
tube to holes in center of trailer bottom side frame.

2. Insert screws and, using provided hex key wrench, tighten
securely. PHOTO 2

Rear Side

of Main

Frame Tube

Ligh t Switch

PHOTO 1: Lig ht mount ed on rea r side of main fra me tube

Trailer Fr ont

Screws

Bracket

Opening Your Trailer

1. Rotate front tube upward and rear tube back until they
meet on plastic saddles. FIGURE 1

2. Rotate frame locks and snap onto rear tube. FIGURE 2

To view a video clip of “Folding a Burley” go to:
www.burley.com/support/tutorials.cfm.

WARNING

CHECK THAT THE FRAME LOCKS ARE PROPERLY ENGAGED
BEFORE USING THE TRAILER. FAILURE TO DO SO CAN RESULT IN
SERIOUS INJU RY.

PHOTO 2: Trailer bot tom

Rear

Front

FIGURE 1

Plastic Saddles

Frame Locks

FIGURE 2

Attaching Wheels

1. Insert wheel axle assembly completely into trailer
axle. FIGURE 3

2. Close quick release lever, with lever aimed at trailer rear.

A properly adjusted quick release lever should leave an

imprint on your palm when the lever is rotated to the closed
position. FIGURE 4

3. Verify that tires are inflated to pressure marked on tire
side wall.

4. To remove wheel from trailer axle, open quick release lever.

Trailer

Rear

WARNING

MAKE SURE WHEELS ARE HELD SECURELY, WITH WHE EL AXLE
ASSEMBLY FULLY INSERTED INTO TRAILER AXLE. YOU SHOULD
NOT BE ABLE TO ROCK OR SHIFT WHEELS. IMPROPERLY IN­STALLED WHEELS CAN FALL OFF, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR
SERIOUS INJU RY.

Attaching Handle

1. On handle ends, push button detents in and slide handle
into handle receivers by wheel axles, with handle extending
out over trailer rear (narrow end). PHOT O 3

2. To remove handle, push buttons on front of handle
receivers and pull up on handle.

FIGURE

3: Qu ick r ele ase leve r in unloc ked

“ope n” po sit ion

Handle

Receiver

Top View

Button
Detent

Top View

FIGURE 4: Qu ick r ele ase lever in l ocked

“clo sed ” pos ition

Wheel

Axle

Installing Tow Bar

1. Slide tow bar through both tow bar mounts on left side.

2. Match rear tow bar hole with rear mount hole.

3. Insert the retaining pin through both holes, and lock
retaining hoop securely. PHOTO 4

WARNING

NEVER OPERATE TRAILER WITHOUT RETAINING PIN LOCKED IN
PLACE. AN U NLOCKE D TOW BAR CAN LOOSEN OR DETACH,
CAUSING ACCIDENT RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY.

PHOTO 3

PHOTO 4

Front

Tow Bar

Mount

B U R LE Y TA I L WA G O N O W N E R ’ S IN S TR U CT I ON A N D S AF E T Y M A N U A L 5

Rear Tow

Bar Mount

Ret aining Hoop

Attaching Cover

6 B U R LE Y TA I L WA G O N O W N E R ’ S IN S TR U CT I ON A N D S AF E T Y M A N U A L

1. On trailer front, join buckle sections on cover corners to
buckle sections below side windows. PHOTO 5

2. On trailer rear, hook O-rings on cover rear over side

knobs. PHOTO 6

3. At top of frame, fasten cover snaps to frame.

Side Window

PHOTO 5:

Buck le

Trail er fr ont side

O-r ing

Attaching Tailgate

Note: If your pet is prone to making unplanned exits, OPTION 1 is

the more secure attachment.

OPTION 1: Tailgate fastened over cover

Join buckle sections on tailgate to buckle sections below
trailer windows. PHOTO 7

OPTION 2: Tailgate fastened under cover

Unhook O-rings and pull cover front out of the way. Join
buckle sections as in Option 1, and hook cover O-rings to side
knobs. PHOTO 8

Side Knob

PHOTO 6: Trailer rea r side

PHOTO 7: Tailgate fas tened ov er co ver

PHOTO 8: Ta ilga te fast ened under cover

Removing Floor

1. To remove for cleaning, lift floor at inside front and pull out
of trailer. PHOTO 9

2. Remove fabric covering from floor base.

3. To install floor, insert rear of floor under nuts in trailer rear
and under D-rings on trailer sides. In front corners, snap
floor under front nuts. PHOTO 10

Trailer Fr ont

PHOTO 9

Trailer Fr ont

PHOTO 10

Front Nu t

Side D-ring

B U R LE Y TA I L WA G O N O W N E R ’ S IN S TR U CT I ON A N D S AF E T Y M A N U A L 7

Installing Safety Flag

8 B U R LE Y TA I L WA G O N O W N E R ’ S IN S TR U CT I ON A N D S AF E T Y M A N U A L

Join pole sections together. On trailer’s left side, insert flag
pole into hole in handle receiver by wheel axle.

IMPORTANT

DO NOT USE TRAILER WITHOUT SAFETY FLAG.

Using Parking Brake

Engage parking brake by pushing handle to the right. Exercise
caution when disengaging brake, as it may spring to the
left. PHOTO 11

Brake Ha ndle Engaged

PHOTO 11

Brake

Hitching Trailer to Your Bicycle

Note : The Burley Forged Standard Hitch is used

for bicycles with either nutted axles

quick release assemblies

FIGURES 6 & 7

FIGURE 5 or

Hitch

1. Remove axle nut or rear quick release lever

assembly from bike.

2. Match hole on flat side of hitch upper arm to left

(non-chain ring side) rear dropout hole, and place hitch flat

against the dropout.

3. Loosely reassemble axle nut or quick release assembly
through hitch, dropout and wheel. Racks, bags, or fittings
should not interfere with hitch.

4. Slide flex connector between hitch side arms, and

match holes.

5. Open retaining pin and insert through hitch and flex
connector holes from above. Close retaining pin.

6. Tighten axle nut or tighten and close quick release lever,
with lever pointing to rear of bike. A properly adjusted
quick release lever should leave an imprint on your palm
when the lever is rotated to the closed position. Verify that
hitch is secure and cannot be rotated by hand.

7. Wrap safety strap twice around inside of chain stay. Fasten
hook to D-ring on underside of tow bar end. FIGURE 7

8. To remove trailer from bicycle, unfasten clip from D-ring
and remove retaining pin.

WARNING

Nut

FIGURE 5: Nu tt ed a xle a sse mbly

Hitch

Quick Release

Nut

QUICK RELEASE LEVER MUST BE IN CLOSED POSITION AND
HITCH SAFETY STRAP PROPERLY INSTALLED. NUTTED AXLES
MUST BE TIGHTENED SECURELY. HITCH MUST NOT INTERFERE
WITH RACKS, BAGS OR FITTINGS. INSPECT HITCH AND TOW BAR
FREQUENTLY FOR DAMAGE OR LOOSE FASTENERS. DAMAGED OR
IMPROPERLY INSTALLED HITCHES OR INTERFERING PARTS CAN
CAUSE ACCIDENTS RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY.

FIGURE 6: Qu ick r elease a sse mbly

Saf ety strap

wrapped twice

around chains tay

Flex Connect or

Hitch Upp er Arm

Quick Release Lever

Ret aining Pin

Hook fas tened to

D-r ing under tow ba r

FIGURE 7: Quic k rel eas e as semb ly sh own

B U R LE Y TA I L WA G O N O W N E R ’ S IN S TR U CT I ON A N D S AF E T Y M A N U A L 9

Safety Checklists

10 B U R LE Y TA I L WA G O N O W N E R ’ S IN S TR U CT I ON A N D S AF E T Y M A N U A L

Check Before Each Ride:

Wheels tightly and securely attached

✓

Tires inflated to recommended pressure on tire side wall

✓

Hitch properly secured with safety strap in place

✓

Tow bar locked securely in place

✓

Bicycle safety check, especially brakes and tires

✓

Helmet for cyclist

✓

Safety flag in place

✓

Ensure that pet is calm

✓

Maximum load 75 lbs (34 kg by law in Europe)

✓

Monthly Checklist:

Inspect tow bar, hitch, frame tubing, flex connector and

✓

hardware for damage
Inspect tires for wear and cracks

✓

Inspect wheels for trueness and cracks

✓

Inspect wheel bearings for wear

✓

Inspect fabric parts for rips, abrasion, or missing or

✓

damaged hardware
Contact your Authorized Burley Dealer for replacement of

✓

any damaged or worn-out parts

Maintenance and Storage

Hitch and Tow Bar Maintenance

Store trailer indoors if possible. Do not use or store trailer
at temperatures below 32˚F (0°C), as hitch flex connector
can become brittle and possibly break, causing an accident
resulting in serious injury.

2009 Tail Wagon Replacement Parts and Diagram

Diagram

#

1 960041 Forged Standard Hitch 5 years
2 960009 Safety Flag 1 year
3 250144 Handle Bar Assembly 5 years

4 950017 Floor and Covering 1 year

5 950019

6 250122 Tow Bar Assembly (tow bar, safety strap, flex connector)

7 250117 Frame Assembly, Front (tube, frame locks, hinges) 5 years
8 250115 Frame Assembly, Rear 5 years

9 950018

10 160015

11 250134 Wheel Guard Tube 5 years
12 250132 Brake Assembly 5 years
13 950020 Axle Receiver Kit w/ Handle Receiver 5 years
14 950038 Flex Connector for Square Tow Bar w/ Safety Strap 3 years

Tail

Wagon

Part #

250294 Side Panel/Front (NOT SHOWN) 1 year
250293 Cover (NOT SHOWN) 1 year
250139 Tailgate (NOT SHOWN) 1 year

Tow Bar Receiver Kit (front tow bar receiver, rear tow bar
receiver, tow bar glides, bolts, nuts)

Lower Frame Kit (main frame L & R, front and rear cross
frame)

Wheel (quick release, reflectors, axle, tire) (SOLD INDIVIDU­ALLY)

Description Warranty

5 years - tow bar

Recommended Accessories

• Stroller Kit

• We! Ski Kit

• Critter Compartment

• Kickstand

• Storage Cover

• Alternative Hitches

Please go to www.burleygear.com for updated product pa rts li st, diagrams and available a ccessories

5 years

3 years - flex

connector/
safety strap

5 years

3 years

Fabric Care

Hand wash fabric parts with mild soap or detergent and warm
water. For heavy soiling, use a nylon bristle brush. Do not use
bleach. Line-dry floor covering and trailer cover. Polyester
fabric will eventually fade, especially when exposed to direct
sunlight. Wipe dry (to help avoid mildew) and store out of
direct sunlight in a dry, well ventilated area, or use a Burley
Trailer Storage Cover to protect your trailer. Clean windows
with a damp, soft cloth. Replace any damaged parts.

B U R LE Y TA I L WA G O N O W N E R ’ S IN S TR U CT I ON A N D S AF E T Y M A N U A L 11

Burley Trailer Limited Warranty

Burley trailers are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service. Burley will repair
or replace parts it determines to be defective as follows: fabric parts for one year, plastic parts for three years and durable
frame parts for five years. The Burley trailer owner must present the trailer for repair at place of purchase, with an original
sales receipt or similar proof of purchase. This warranty applies only to the original owner and is nontransferable. Burley can
not be responsible for failure due to improper assembly, modification of parts or instructions, neglect, abuse, accident, and/
or normal wear. The warranty does not cover any trailer used for rental, competition, or commercial use.

Burley neither assumes nor authorizes any person to assume any other liability in connection with this Burley product, and
there are no oral agreements or warranties collateral to or affecting this agreement. This warranty gives you specific rights.
You may also have other rights which vary by state or country.

B U R L E Y D E S I G N

4020 Stew art Rd. Eugene, O R 97402
PH 541. 687.1644 800.4 23. 8445 FA X 5 41. 687.04 36
burley@burley. com

Copyr ight ©200 8 by Burley Design LLC.
“Burley” is a registered trademark of Burley Design LLC
170136 Manual Tail Wagon Trailer r1 : RTFM : Rev 08.08

:

burley.co m