Burley BT3045 Hitch and Adapter User Guide
- June 4, 2024
- BURLEY
Table of Contents
Burley BT3045 Hitch and Adapter
This guide will help you determine if you can attach your trailer out of the box, or if you will require an additional part.
Every Burley trailer comes equipped with a Steel Hitch, Tow-Bar and Tow-Bar Mount. In most cases this is all you will need to safely connect the trailer to your bicycle. In some cases you may require an additional adapter or thru- axle. This guide will help you determine if you require one of these additional parts, and if so, which part you require.
The first step is to identify the type of axle your bike has. There are 3 main types of axles.
Quick Release Axle
The most common type of axle. The quick release axle has a lever that clamps the axle in place with an acorn nut on the opposite end.
Bolt-on Axle
The Bolt-on Axle has a hex nut on both sides. It is common on fixed gear and single speed bicycles, as well as internally geared hubs.
Thru Axle
Thru axles are thick and hollow. They are common on newer bicycles with disc brakes, especially mountain bikes.
Not all axles will look exactly like the samples shown here. If you are unsure about your axle type please consult with your local bike shop. Now that you have determined your axle type, move to step 2.
The 2nd step is to determine your dropout type. There are many types of dropouts, but for the purposes of hitching a Burley Trailer, we can group them into 2 main categories.
Standard Dropout
Most bicycles will have a standard dropout. They won’t all look like this, but the key thing to look for is a flat area around and below the axle where the Steel Hitch can lay flush against the frame.
Hooded Dropout
Hooded dropouts have a protruding metal hood that extends around the top of the dropout. They are common on custom or hand-made bikes. They can prevent the Steel Hitch from lying flush against the frame. This problem is solved by the adapters which you will read about later.
Not all dropouts will look exactly like the samples shown here. If you are unsure about your dropout type please consult with your local bike shop. Now that you know what type of axle and dropout you have, use the table below to determine if you will need additional parts to connect your Burley trailer.
Steel Hitch
(Included)
| Steel Hitch *****
(Included)
| Steel Hitch (Included)
+ Burley Thru Axle
---|---|---
Steel Hitch (Included)
+ Adapter
| Steel Hitch (Included)
+ Adapter
| Steel Hitch (Included)
+ Burley Thru Axle
Most people will have a Standard Dropout paired with a Quick Release, and will therefore not require any extra parts. If you do require an extra part, keep reading.
Q: What does the adapter do for me?A: You will need an adapter if your dropout does not have room for the hitch to lay flush against the bike frame, or in some cases, if the addition of the hitch makes the axle too short for the nut to be re-installed. In these cases the adapter acts as a spacer. It provides a flat surface away from the dropout that allows the hitch to lay flush to a solid surface. In the case of axles being too short to be reinstalled, it extends the length of the axle so that it can be safely installed with the hitch.
Q: I see there are multiple sizes of Adapters and Thru Axles how do I know
which part is right for me?
A: It will depend on the size and threading of your axle. Use the Adapter
Guide and Axle Fit Guide on the following pages to determine which part is
right for you. *It is possible that the addition of the Steel Hitch may make
your bolt on axle too short for the nut to be re-installed. If this is the
case you will require an adapter.
Adapter Guide
If you need an adapter this guide will help you determine which model is right for you.
There are four adapter models:
- QR
- 3/8 x 26
- M10 x 1.0
- M10.5 x 1.0
QR (Quick Release) Adapter
If you have a Quick Release Axle you will need the QR Adapter. This is the
most commonly used adapter.
All Others
The other three models will all apply to bolt-on axles. You must know the
Diameter and Thread Pitch of your axle. This information should be acquired
from your bicycle/axle/hub manufacturer. Then select the appropriate Adapter
according to the axle diameter and thread pitch, which is indicated in the
adapter name.
Thru Axle Fit Guide
This guide is intended to help determine which Thru Axle you will need for hitching a Burley trailer to your bike.