Burley D’Lite X Review

A super smooth and luxurious ride for child and adult riders, the Burley D’Lite X rolls like a dream as a trailer, stroller, or jogger. For more extreme adventures, add a ski kit for cross-country winter exploring, or the fat tire kit for backcountry bike packing! The D’Lite X is truly a multi-sport dream.

This queen of comfort comes standard with high-end features like reclining seats, premium seat pads, adjustable suspension, a removable floor mat, and full-length UV tinted windows. Available as a double or single capacity trailer, read the review below for all the reasons we love the Burley D’Lite X!

Collage showing Burley D'Lite X as a trailer, ski stroller, standard stroller, and with fat tires for bike packing

Burley D’Lite X Overview

stars

RATING: Exceptional

MSRP$899/$999

BEST FOR: Families who want the best of jogging, strolling, skiing, and biking. Best for ages 12 months to 5 years.

TRAILER CAPACITY: Single or Double

TRAILER ARM: Included

JOGGER KITUpgrade available

STROLLER KITUpgrade available (2-wheel, since single wheel comes standard)

SKI KITUpgrade available

ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS
WEIGHT: 30.4 lb. (double), 27.6 lb. (single)
INSIDE HEIGHT:
24″ seated
INSIDE SEAT WIDTH:
22.5″ (double), 18.5″ (single)
MAX CAPACITY:
40 lb. per child
TIRE SIZE:
20″
UV WINDOWS:
Yes

PROS:

  • Exceptionally smooth ride for biking and strolling
  • Jogging and stroller kits come as an upgrade, so you’re only paying for what you’ll use
  • Super easy to swap between trailer/stroller/jogger functions
  • Single stroller wheel in front tucks in closer to the trailer that other brands
  • Bowed out sides provide additional shoulder space for older kids to move around inside
  • Independently reclining seats
  • Sunshade and rain cover come standard
  • Rubber, removable floor for easy cleaning
  • Optional 16″ fat tires expand off-roading capabilities
  • Adjustable suspension
  • Lots of storage space
  • Available as single or double capacity
  • 50% of soft goods (fabrics) are made from recycled material

CONS:

  • Recline settings for seats aren’t as reclined as other trailers
  • Cover never pulls completely taut for a truly sleek look
  • Sunshade is shorter than we would like

Burley D’Lite X Video Review

Watch the Burley D’Lite X in action in our video summary below!

2023 Updates to Burley D’Lite X

Like all Burley trailers, the Burley D’Lite X does everything well. It’s comfortable for the kids. It’s comfortable for the adults. It pulls smooth like butter as a trailer and strolls smooth like butter as a stroller. It’s a breeze to assemble and a breeze to switch between stroller and trailer modes. The Burley D’Lite X does everything well because every detail was well thought out, and executed with style and precision.

Dad pulling Burley D'Lite X 2023 bike trailer model in sage

The Burley D’Lite X is Burley’s update on their original Burley D’Lite (pre-2019) and is now Burley’s highest-end bike trailer. The 2023 model is the sage green trailer seen in this review. The brighter turquoise images are the very similar 2021 model.

The biggest change to the 2023 model is that over 50% of all soft goods (material) in the trailer are now made from recycled materials, mostly water bottles.

The single and double D’Lite X are multi-sport trailers that come standard with a super smooth-rolling single stroller wheel. They are compatible with all conversion kits: double-wheel stroller, jogger, hiking, and ski trailer.

If you’re looking for a high-performing trailer, stroller, jogger, and/or ski trailer ALL IN ONE, the D’Lite X should be at the top of your consideration list. The D’Lite X is similar to the Thule Chariot Cross trailer, so we will be making several comparisons between the two below.

D’Lite X Capacity – Total Passengers and Weight

Burley D’Lite X Single or Double?

Double capacity or single capacity? That is the question. Clearly if you have two kids, you’ll need the double. Many families with just one child also choose a double trailer for extra storage, or the option to bring along a friend.

Burely D'Lite Single and Double side by side collage. Showing interior space with one child inside.

Single trailers actually offer more room for a single passenger, so if you’re really only ever going to carry one child, we highly recommend the single. In a double trailer, a single passenger must be loaded on the right side, not in the middle. As a result, they’re a little more cramped than they really need to be.

Also take into consideration that double trailers are heavier and wider. Both of those factors affect your experience as the adult pulling the trailer!

The Burley D’Lite X trailers come with bowed out sides, which is unique to any other bike trailer we know of. While unlikely to be necessary in the single trailer, it can come in very handy in the double trailer. As you can see in the image on the right below, our tall 5 year old tester benefits from the added shoulder space that allows her to lean her body away from the other passenger.

Side by side comparison of single vs double Burley D'Lite X bike trailer

Double D’Lite X – Interior Space

One child has luxurious space, two toddlers are comfy, while a toddler with an older child get pretty cozy in the Burley D’Lite X. In the picture on the left, we have a 17-month-old in 24-month clothes with a 3-year-old in 3T pants. They are cozy together but have enough space to be comfortable.

On the right is the same 17-month-old with a 5-year-old in size 5 pants. (49 lbs, 42.5″ tall). The two fit, but the 5-year-old expressed that it was pretty snug.

Side by side comparison of fit of double Burley D'Lite X with 17-month-old and 3-year-old and same 17-month-old with 5-year-old. Both fit, but the 5-year-old is tight.

However, when I reclined the 5-year-old all the way back while leaving the toddler upright, she felt much more comfortable. The Burley D’Lite X’s bowed-out sides provide more shoulder room for older kids like this, but they still can get a little smooshed in the middle with the child next to them.

While a child on the upper end of the maximum capacity requirements can get a little snug side to side, the headroom is plenty. Our 5-year-old tester below is 42.5″, which actually exceeds the recommended max of 41.25″ without a helmet. The legroom is also sufficient, but her knees are required to come up a bit to accommodate her long legs.

Headroom and Legroom in Burley D’Lite X

collage showing headroom and legroom in Burley D'Lite X double trailer

Single D’Lite X – Interior Space

With a single child placed squarely in the middle of the trailer, a growing child is going to be comfortable in this single trailer for quite some time.

Our 3-year-old below is very tall at 40.5″, and a solid little munchkin at 40 lbs. She maxes out the 40 pound child weight capacity, but still has plenty or room on both sides of her. She also has another inch or so of headroom, and her long legs are not scrunched yet.

Burley D'Lite X single trailer, side by side comparison empty and with a 40 pound 3-year-old

Weight Capacity

The 100 lb. weight capacity of the double Burley D’Lite X is for 80 lbs. of humans and 20 lbs. of cargo. The written instructions state that each child should max out at 40 lb. However, I called Burley Customer Service, and they stated that you could, for example, do a 50/30 lb. split, which is essentially what we have above with our 5-year-old tester.

Regardless of the weight split, you should always have the heavier child on the right when in trailer mode. (Or if you only have one child in the trailer, put them on the right.) This is the side opposite the trailer arm and provides the best weight distribution to prevent tipping when taking tight turns.

The Burley D’Lite single has a max weight capacity of 75 lbs, with only 40 pounds of that being child weight.

Burley D’Lite X – Interior Features

Bench Seat Bottom Better than Hammock-Style

The seat bottom is bench-style, which means that it’s solid across like bench, although very padded and comfortable. This is in comparison to hammock-style seating which is found on Burley’s more entry-level Bee trailer.

Hammock vs. Bench Seat

Burley Hammock style seat vs bench seat

Hammock-style seats typically consist of a thick fabric stretched between the sides of the trailer. Without a lot of support, hammock-style seats often sag in the middle, making them less comfortable and harder to load up kids, especially with two nuggets in the trailer.

Cushioned Seats, Headrest, and Mesh Backing

The D’Lite X trailers feature Burley’s super-cushioned seats that do wonders for the comfort of your little riders. These seat cushions are Burley’s “premium” version that include a headrest. They can be removed for washing or for older riders who favor more room over more padding.

D’Lite X Seats – w/ and w/o Headrests

Side by side comparison of Burley D'Lite X interior with and without the headrests installed

The headrests attach via velcro straps around the seat straps. As you raise the seat strap buckles to loosen the straps to accommodate taller riders, the headrest velcro attachments sit on those buckles, preventing them from sliding down lower.

The headrests can also be removed to provide more room for a child’s helmet. If your child’s helmet doesn’t have a flat back, their head will be pushed forward by the seat. If you remove the headrest, the backing behind it is a soft mesh with plenty of give. This allows the back of the seat to accommodate the back of a helmet and still keep a child’s head comfortably upright.

While flat-backed helmets are designed precisely for this reason, our toddler’s head was still a little too upright for comfort with the headrest installed. We ended up removing it so she could recline her head a bit.

5-Point Harness System

5 point harness on Burley D'Lite X kids bike trailer

The 5-point harness system on the Burley D’Lite X is high-quality and easy to use. It is, however, easy for older toddlers to unbuckle themselves.

During our testing, our 3-year-old tester unbuckled herself and her 17-month-old trailermate at the conclusion of a run. However, there is not a trailer that we know of that has a child-proof buckle (buckles that require two hands to release).

Independently Reclining Seats

Kids loooove the ability to recline their seat for ultimate chillaxin. 🙂 The D’Lite X trailers feature three recline positions that are easily adjusted by pulling on a yellow lever on the back of the seat. This is most easily done from the back of the trailer, but technically can be done from the front if you need to.

Independently reclining seats of the Burley D'Lite X. One seat set upright, the other in the most reclined position.

In the double capacity D’Lite X, the seats independently recline so each child’s seat can be adjusted to one of three different recline levels. (Upright, slightly reclined, or max reline.)

Be aware that as you recline the seats, you make the rear storage compartment smaller. Additionally, we found the most upright seat position to be very upright. After a few rides/runs, we adjusted the “normal” sitting position to be the middle or most reclined position.

Mesh Cup Holders Easy To Reach

Seemingly minor detail, but whether or not your kid can access the sippy cup or snack bag you put in their side mesh pocket can actually be a big deal when they have a meltdown mid-ride! The mesh side pockets in the Burley D’Lite X are perfectly placed and easy for young toddlers to access. There is a mesh pocket on the left and right side in both the single and double D’Lite X.

The pockets on each side of the D’lite X trailer are deep enough to securely hold a sippy cup, but not too deep that little hands have trouble pulling that cup out. The pocket is also divided down the middle so there are two distinct sides. The advantage of this is that a sippy cup can’t fall over on its side and become out of reach for toddlers.

The Thule Cross, on the other hand, is one large pocket that doesn’t have a divider. Our toddler did knock her sippy cup on its side and it became impossible for her to reach.

The Cross’ pocket is also deeper, making it slightly more difficult for small hands to grab things out of it. Additionally, the pockets are placed in a way that young toddler riders may have difficulty reaching what’s inside. This wouldn’t be an issue as kids get older and have longer arms. The Qeridoo Kidgoo has similarly problematic snack pockets.

Burley D'Lite X vs Thule cross placement of mesh sippy cup holders. In the Thule, the toddler has to reach farther to grab the cup.

Rubber Trailer Bottom

The D’Lite X’s trailer bottom is a flexible sheet of thick rubber that is super helpful for a few reasons. First, as little ones climb in and out of the trailer, they’ll eventually get dirt and mud everywhere. Having mud on rubber is a much better scenario than on the fabric bottom of a trailer. Second, the rubber bottom can easily be removed to wash it off! This is the only trailer we know of to feature a rubber bottom that’s removable!

Burley D’Lite X – Exterior Features

Exterior Covers – Versatile but Can Be a Bit Messy

The front cover of the D’Lite X is a mesh center lined with canvas sides. It also has a zip down, water resistant vinyl top layer for rainy weather. The entire front of the trailer is lifted up to get kids in and out of the trailer.

To secure the front cover in place, there are two velcro connections near the top of the trailer – one on each side. Then small plastic hooks are fastened into a small yellow ring at the bottom of the sides of the trailer to hold the cover down securely. 

This system is very different than the Thule Cross, which has the canvas portion of the cover permanently in place, and just the mesh portion of the cover opens and closes with a zipper. Both the D’Lite X and Cross systems work great, but the Thule system has a more taut, finished look, while Burley’s cover never really gets pulled super tight and perfectly in place. Functionally, this is insignificant, but if you’re a neat-freak, it may bug you.

Front cover of Thlue Cross a mesh door that zips down.

Rain Cover Zips Down

The rain cover of the Burley D’Lite X is a permanent fixture on the trailer. When not in use, it’s rolled up and secured at the top of the trailer front door with elastic loops. When needed, you unroll the cover and simply zip down.

On Burley’s high-end trailers, including the D’Lite X, this zipper is rainproof and prevents any rain from leaking through. (The Burley Encore X, which is one step down from the D’Lite X, does not feature rainproof zippers.)

There is also a separate rain cover on the rear portion of the trailer. From a convenience standpoint, Burley’s design can’t be beat. You’ll never get caught in the rain without it because you can’t forget it at home! Additionally, it’s super easy to use and can be put in place in a flash.

To prevent fogging up during rainy rides, the very bottom portion of the rain cover (on the front and back) can remain unzipped to allow for airflow through the trailer. Obviously, this could allow some rain into the trailer, so pick your poison? 🙂

The design of the rain cover on the Thule Chariot Cross is drastically different than the Burley D’Lite X. The cover is entirely removable and can be stored in the rear storage compartment. It attaches in six places on the sides and top via elastic straps. While not as convenient as Burley’s system, it does pull more taut than Burley’s, and you don’t ever have to look at it when you’re not using it. Once again, functionally insignificant, but visually cleaner.

Rain Cover on Burley D’Lite X vs. Thule Cross

The raincover of the Burley D'Lite X bike trailerzips down, while the Thule's raincover is removable and attaches taut via plastic tabs and elastic ropes.

SunShade is Too Short

Like the rain cover on the Burley D’Lite X, the sunshade is also a permanent fixture on the trailer. It’s raised and lowered by pulling on strings on either side of the front cover. It can be moved entirely out of sight when you don’t need it, or lowered anywhere along the front of the cover depending on the direction of the sun.

Compared to the Thule Chariot Cross, the sunshade on the Burley D’Lite X is much shorter. Because it’s pulled up and underneath the top portion of the trailer’s canvas when not in use, it can only be so long. The advantage of the Burley is that you’ll never leave it at home, but the Cross offers significantly more protection from the sun.

Living in Texas, this can be a big deal as we use the sunshade not just to block the sun from little eyes, but to provide much-needed shade and protection from the sun in general. Also, if you plan on using your trailer as a stroller with an infant, the added protection from the sun is a huge bonus.

Depending on how often you think you’ll need the sunshade, how you’re using it (for eyes or for skin protection too), and if the convenience of having it already attached to the trailer matter, the Burley or the Thule system could be better for you.

Thule Cross vs. Burley D’Lite Sunshades

Thule Cross bike trailer sunshades is much longer than the sunshade on the D'Lite X

Folding – Incredibly Easy!

The D’Lite X folds down very compactly and is done quickly and easily by unhooking one of the two frame tubes from the pair of yellow release latches and collapsing the trailer in on itself. The first few times you do this it’s a bit difficult or “sticky” but it becomes much easier after a few tries.

You have to remove the wheels to fold it down, but the wheels come off just by pushing in on the yellow button in the middle of the axle. Seriously, an 8-year-old could do it it’s so easy. 

The double is just 37 x 31.3 x 14.3″ folded, and 30.4 lbs. (for the single, 36 x 27.5 x 15″ and 27.6 lbs.) so lifting it in and out of the car is no problem.

Of all of our favorite bike trailers for kids, Burley trailers are the easiest to collapse for transportation. We really appreciate this design for families that need to drive to the trails!

Panoramic UV Windows

Like the Thule Cross, the Burley D’Lite X features tinted windows with UV protection. For long rides in the summer, this is a huuuuge benefit. Based on the position of the rider in the trailer, Burley’s windows offer more and better views.

In the Burley, the rider is more upright so they are able to turn their head and look directly out the side window. In the Thule Cross, the child is always in a more reclined position so that if they look to the side, they have to look to the side and forward in order to see anything. Burley’s windows could be classified as more “panoramic” than Thule’s.

Thule Cross and Burley D'Lite X bike trailers side shots, side by side

Storage Compartment & Rear Venting

The D’Lite X has an easily accessible storage area behind the seats. It’s very spacious with a flat bottom, facilitating carrying everything from scooters, helmets, basketballs, lunches, diaper bags, a family’s worth of jackets… pretty much whatever you could possibly need to bring along. If a lot of cargo space is important to you, a Burley trailer is the best way to go!

In the D’Lite X double trailer, the rear storage area has a metal bar that intersects the top opening. (It’s part of the double seat reclining system.) This design prevents you from putting a single larger item in the rear, which is a bit of a bummer.

The rear cargo area is primarily accessed from the back of the trailer, but it’s also accessible from the front of the trailer by reaching around the side of the seat support. So in theory, if the child passenger wanted to throw wrappers or a jacket in the back and out of their way, an older child could do so.

The storage compartment has a large mesh cover for excellent rear venting. There’s also a small mesh pocket that lays flat against the inside of the larger storage compartment. Separated into two sides, this small pocket is perfect for keys on one side and a phone on the other.

Premium Wheels – Beefier Than Other Trailers

The D’Lite X features 20″ premium wheels with a reflective strip on the sides for added visibility. The “premium” label means that the tire tread is more aggressive than Burley’s other trailers (as well as the Thule Cross) for better traction if you need to periodically go on dirt trails.

The tires are also wider than your standard trailer tires – 20 x 2.125″ vs. the Thule Cross’ 20 x 1.75″.  For riders sticking to paved trails, this won’t make much of a difference, but for those traveling on non-paved surfaces, the D’Lite X’s tires will perform slightly better in regards to cushioning the ride.

These wider tires hold more air and have a slightly larger footprint. As a result, they will be able to dampen more bumps along the way. While the suspension on high-end trailers dampens larger bumps, wider tires will absorb and cushion smaller bumps.

Optional 16″ Fat Tire Kit

If you’re going to tackle serious all-terrain, snow, sand, or gravel on the regular, Burley does offer 16″ fat tires as an upgrade. We’ve used them for backcountry bike packing.

And also for fat biking in the snow! Our only complaint is that you can’t convert them to tubeless.

Woman on fat bike pulling Burley trailer behind her with ski kit attachment

Adjustable Suspension

The suspension on the Burley D’Lite X is incredibly easy to adjust by turning the yellow knob you see below. With five different suspension settings, you can easily switch it up for different weight loads if you regularly swap between one or two kids or cargo.

Parking Brake

The parking brake on the Burley D’Lite X is engaged by swiping it from the left position to the right position with your foot – really easy to use. (For strolling and jogging modes only.)

I’ve found for whatever reason that the D’Lite X tends to roll away more easily than my Thule Cross. I have no idea why, but I now tend to engage the parking brake more on the D’Lite X than I need to on the Thule Cross.

Burley D’Lite X as a Trailer

Hitch Style

The D’Lite X hitches into a socket that attaches to the rear axle of the adult bike. (Click here for a video demonstration of attaching a Burley Bike Trailer.) It has a cylindrical joint with a pin that goes through it and is then secured with a retaining pin at the bottom of the socket. For additional safety, you wrap the nylon strap around the frame of your bike and secure it to the tow arm by attaching it to the D-ring.

Inserting pin into connection between hitch and tow arm on Burley trailer

The process of attaching/detaching the tow arm to the adult bike is smooth and easy and only takes about a minute. One issue that can arise with the design of the D’Lite X hitch is that its shape requires pretty precise alignment. The adult bike needs to be very upright for the holes to align.

If you’re leaning the bike against the wall, you’ll need to ensure that it’s as upright as possible. Our workaround was to use a bike stand on the front tire of the bike to keep it upright. We then had no issues.

On the other hand, the Thule’s hitch and tow arm are secured using a ball joint that’s easy to get in and out of the socket regardless of the angle of the adult bike. While it’s slightly easier to get aligned, this shouldn’t be a deciding factor in your purchase.

Side by side comparison of Burley and Thule hitches

Tow Arm

The D’Lite X trailers feature Burley’s new quick receivers that make it so incredibly easy to attach the tow arm, stroller, jogger, and ski kits to the trailer. You simply insert the tow arm into the quick receiver until it clicks in place and the holes are aligned. You then insert the secondary retaining pin for added safety.

As you can see on the tow arm below, there are two settings – one for bike and one for the stroller. By pulling the yellow oval lever on the rear side of the quick receiver, you can push the arm farther into the receiver so that the stroller wheel is closer to the trailer in stroller mode. You also pull that same yellow lever to unlock the trailer arm to remove it completely.

Burley D'Lite X Trailer arm installation

Burley’s tow arms are unique from pretty much every other tow arm out there. The D’Lite’s tow arm is angled a bit like a hockey stick, while the Thule (and most other brands) has a more angular C-shaped tow arm.

Because of its C-shape, the Thule trailers are centered behind the adult bike. Instead of being centered on the bike, the D’Lite X is centered on the hitch, making it slightly off to the left of the bike. Burley’s offset design is intentional as to allow the trailer to be centered on hitch.

Burley’s idea is that pulling the trailer directly behind the hitch makes pulling smoother, but I honestly didn’t feel a difference between the Thule Cross and the Burley D’Lite X. We had another adult rider who did notice a slight difference, but this probably shouldn’t be a major determining factor for you.

Tow arms of Burley and Thule trailers side by side. Rider with Burley trailer and Thule trailer. The Burley trailer is not centered behind the rider.

While riding on residential roads or wide trails, the offset Burley trailer doesn’t really matter and the adult rider doesn’t feel any difference. However, when riding alongside traffic or through narrow gate openings (such as those keeping motor vehicles off of bike trails), the adult rider has to be conscious that the D’Lite X is “hanging out” more to the left than to the right.

In our testing, this also made another adult rider nervous to ride on the left of the adult towing the D’Lite X, worried that he would bump into the trailer.

Burley D’Lite X as a Stroller

While a lot of people use the stroller function of a multi-sport trailer only occasionally, I’m one of those that use it on the regular. As in almost every day. So how the Burley D’Lite X performed as a stroller would be a total make or break for me. The Burley D’Lite X in stroller mode was exceptional.

Whether in 3-wheel or 4-wheel stroller mode, the D’Lite X rolls smoothly like a luxury car. Like butter. Like baby skin. Seriously though, it’s so smooth. Coming from daily use of the Thule Cross, it would be hard to impress me. But I was impressed.

If you’ll be using the D’Lite X in stroller mode with an infant, you’ll definitely want to purchase the Burley Baby Snuggler, which allows you to use the stroller with a baby as young as 3 months.

1-Wheel or 2-Wheel Options

Burley D'Lite X as 3 wheel stroller and 4 wheel stoller

A single stroller wheel comes standard with the Burley D’Lite X. It remains permanently attached to the tow arm for super easy transitions between biking and strolling. It simply folds up on the tow arm when you’re using the D’Lite X in trailer mode.

While most single stroller wheels on trailers stick really far out in front of the trailer, the Burley D’Lite X’s tow bar can be adjusted so it tucks in much closer to the body of the trailer. It’s a super sweet feature we haven’t seen anywhere else!

A two-wheel stroller kit is available for an additional $100. Those wheels can easily be stored in the back storage compartment when not in use. To install them, you simply insert them into the quick receivers just like you did with the tow bar. To remove them, you pull on the yellow oval ring on the side of the quick receiver to release the lock.

My favorite thing about these wheels is how easy they are to install. Although I love the Thule Cross, the stroller wheels are inserted from underneath, which requires you to tip the stroller back to get them aligned. I’ve always found this awkward and a bit cumbersome.

With the Burley D’Lite X, you simply slide the wheels straight into the front of the trailer. Easy. Peasy. If you’re going to swap these out frequently, this would make a huge difference.

Burley D'Lite X Stroller wheel and woman pulling quick release to remove wheel

That said, I really didn’t see much (if any) notable change in performance between the one or two stroller wheels of the D’Lite X. I like both experiences pretty equally.

To pay an additional $100 for the 2-wheel stroller kit isn’t probably worth it for most people. However, because the 2-wheel kit has the wheels attached to the body of the trailer rather than out in front on the tow arm, the lower profile would be handy if you were trying to navigate busy areas like malls or Disneyland.

Stroller Height & Adjustable Handlebar

The D’Lite X is a pretty tall trailer. The body of a Burley trailer sits much higher above the axle than the body of a Thule trailer. Not sure why the companies designed them this way, but in stroller mode, that puts the top of the Burley trailer sitting much higher.

I’m 5’10 and the D’Lite X still felt pretty tall to me. Not unmanageable by any means, just taller. I prefer the lower body of the Thule Cross in stroller mode, but it’s by no means a deal breaker. Our shorter mom tester (5’2″), loves the Burley D’Lite X in stroller mode and uses it without issue.

The taller height also puts the handlebar a bit higher than the Thule Cross’. The handlebar is, however, continuously adjustable by releasing a yellow lever on the side, so an adult of any height should be able to find a comfortable position. (The girl below is 5’6.)

The handlebar also rolls completely forward when in trailer mode so it’s out of the way. This serves the dual purpose of being an additional roll-bar in the event of a serious crash (the chassis already has a roll bar included). It should be rolled forward so that it sits a few inches above the trailer body, with the end of the handlebar about parallel with the ground.

Burley D’Lite X as a Ski Trailer

Mom pulling Burley trailer with Burley Ski Kit through the snow on her cross country skis

Our resident ski mama Lauren wrote a very comprehensive review of Burley’s ski trailer kit. If you’re considering cross-country skiing or fat biking with the D’Lite X, be sure to read the Burley Ski Trailer review.

Assembly

Assembly was, for the most part, really simple. I dread assembling things, but the D’Lite X’s design is so streamlined that it makes assembly a breeze.

The only issue I had was when it came time to install the quick receivers onto the body of the trailer. I could not get the cutouts on the black plastic to align with the metal tabs on the trailer. (I’ve had four different D’Lite X trailers, and this only happened with one of them.)

I called Burley Service (which, by the way, is one of the best customer service you’ll ever get) and was quickly and easily walked through the fix. I had to loosen the bolts on the front metal piece which allowed the plastic cutouts to align. I slipped the quick receivers on, re-tightened the bolts, and was done!

Quick receiver on Burley D'Lite X bike trailer wouldn't initially fit over the metal tabs.

Bottom Line on the Burley D’Lite X

The Burley D’Lite X is everything you’d expect in the top-of-the-line trailer from the most popular bike trailer company in the U.S. Luxurious comfort for the passenger, and luxurious simplicity for tfhe adult rider, each detail of the D’Lite X makes it simple, easy, and fun to use. As parents of energetic little ones, we appreciate Burley’s attention to the small features that make taking the littles along for the ride a joy rather than a hassle.

Comparison: Burley D’Lite X vs. Thule Chariot Cross

While we are huge fans of the Burley D’Lite X, it’s fair to make a comparison with the Thule Chariot Cross – Thule’s most high-end kid’s trailer. They are both exceptional trailers that you really can’t find much to complain about, but there are certain areas that each trailer does better in.

Areas where we prefer the Burley D’Lite X over the Thule Cross:

  • More storage space
  • Stroller wheels are easier to attach
  • Windows vs. seat placement allow for better side views
  • Kids’ mesh snack pocket access
  • Wider tires for a bit more cushioning
  • Removable rubber bottom for easy cleaning

Areas where we prefer the Thule Chariot Cross over the Burley D’Lite:

  • Cover is always pulled taut, looks more sleek
  • More reclined seat position is generally more comfortable
  • Reclined seat position also makes loading and unloading kids easier
  • Sunshade is longer, providing more skin protection
  • Not as tall – easier for average/short people to use as a stroller/jogger
  • Infant insert can be used in stroller mode starting at 4 weeks (vs Burley’s 3 months)


Burley D'lite vs Thule Cross

Feature Burley D'Lite X Thule Cross Burley D'Lite X Single Thule Cross Single
MSRP $999 $1,249 $899 $1,149
Trailer Arm Standard Standard Standard Standard
3-Wheel Stroller Standard N/A Standard N/A
4-Wheel Stroller Upgrade Standard Upgrade Standard
Jogging Wheel Upgrade Upgrade Upgrade Upgrade
Weight 29.3 lb. 32 lb. 27.6 lb. 30.6 lb.
Sitting Height 24" 27" 24" 27"
Folded Dimensions (Inches) 37 x 31.3 x 14.3 34.2 x 31.5 x 15 36 x 27.5 x 15 34.2 x 25.6 x 15
Trailer/4-Wheel Stroller $1,098 $1,249 $998 $1,149

Click here for a full list of Burley accessories

FTC Disclosure: Affiliate links are included in this review.  No monetary compensation was provided for this review, however, the reviewed product was supplied by the manufacturer or distributor to help facilitate this review. All opinions and images are that of Two Wheeling Tots LLC.  All content and images are copyrighted and should not be used or replicated in any way. View our Terms of Use.

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