Burley Hopper Bike Trailer and Wagon Review
tWhether you’re looking for an easy way to haul anything from groceries to sporting equipment with your bike or want to embrace a more car-light lifestyle, you’ll love the 2-in-1 Burley Hopper bike trailer and wagon. Behind your bike, it hauls both small and large items with ease and tows nice and smooth. Once you reach your destination, the Hopper truly shines as it it quickly converts into a push wagon, perfect for use as a shopping cart at the grocery store or farmers market, or as a comfy ride for your kids and their gear.
Great for families and individuals alike, during our tests, the Hopper proved to be more than just a clever 2-in-1 hauler, it’s a practical, real-world tool that makes getting outside and using your bike in daily life much more attainable. Whether you’re heading to the park with the kids or using it to help load up the car for a weekend camping trip, the Burley Hopper makes managing the craziness of everyday life easier, without always relying on the car.
Burley Hooper Bike Trailer & Wagon
MSRP: $599
BEST FOR: Bikers looking for an easy and convenient way to make trips to and from stores, parks, sporting events or anywhere else you want to haul gear or goods with your bike. The perfect tool for navigating a car-light lifestyle. *Only hauls kids in wagon mode – NEVER in bike trailer mode*
OPTIONAL ADD-ONS: Child Seat Insert & Sunshade Kit, Interior Organizer, Fat Tire Wheel Kit
Cons:
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Burley Hopper Ideal for?
The Hopper is perfect for individuals or families needing a quick, convenient way to transport small or larger items by bike. Whether you’re heading to the grocery store, park, or your child’s sports practice, the Hopper makes hauling everything, from coolers and camp chairs to gallons of milk and bags of groceries a breeze.
For comparison, the Hopper offers 115L of storage space, whereas Burley’s child trailers provide about 60L in cargo mode (with the seat folded down). Due to their enclosed design, child trailers also struggle to fit taller or bulkier items.
To extend functionality, the optional Seat Insert & Sunshade Kit converts the Hopper into a comfortable child wagon that’s easy to push. Its quick-fold design also makes it easy to transport in your car for trips to the park, sports games, or amusement parks.
Who is the Burley Hopper not ideal for?
Transporting kids by bike. In trailer mode, the Hopper is only for cargo. Children may only ride in the Hopper when it’s in wagon mode.If you want to carry kids in a bike trailer, consider one of Burley’s traditional bike trailers such as the Burley D’Lite X shown below.
If you need to haul kids and gear, the best option is using a child bike seat on your bike while towing the Hopper behind. Once you arrive, convert the Hopper to wagon mode.
Can I haul my kids in the Hopper when in trailer mode?
No. In bike trailer mode, the Hopper is for cargo only. Children can only ride in the Hopper in wagon mode.
Do I need to unload the Hopper to switch between bike and wagon mode?
No! That’s one of the Hopper’s best features. The trailer arm detaches and reattaches as the wagon handle without needing to unload. Before detaching from the bike, deploy the front caster wheels and lock the parking brake to prevent tipping or rolling.
Does the Hopper fold for transport, and can the wheels be removed?
Yes. The Hopper folds flat in under a minute, tool-free. Internal supports collapse the cargo area, and the large wheels release with the push of a center axle button. The front caster wheels fold up beneath the trailer.
Folded dimensions: 36.7” x 23.4” x 8.6”
Do I need to buy extra accessories to use it as a trailer or wagon?
No. The Hopper comes ready for both bike and wagon use, including the handlebar and front caster wheels. Optional accessories like the seat insert and sunshade improve comfort for kids in wagon mode.
Do I need the child seat to carry a child in wagon mode?
No, but it adds comfort and can provide shade. The trailer floor is hard and flat, so kids can sit in the Hopper without the seat kit, but there’s no harness or buckle system. The ends of the trailer also house the wagon’s folding support mechanism, leaving nothing soft or supportive for kids to lean back on.
For older kids, you can always improvise with a cushion to make things more comfortable, but younger babies and toddlers will need the addition support of the seat inserts.
Burley Hopper Trailer and Wagon Review – Results of our Testing
Burley Hopper in Use – Trailer Mode
The Hopper is, at its core, a cargo trailer, but with a few clever tricks. If you’re looking to make bike commutes easier without strapping on a backpack or dealing with panniers, the Hopper is a game changer.
Backed by Burley’s years of trailer hitch expertise, the Hopper pulls smooth and steady with minimal feedback. With a 100 lb. weight capacity in trailer mode, you can also haul a lot of stuff!
As expected, the heavier the load, the more feedback you get from the trailer, but the Hopper handles it with ease. The added weight attached of goods your hauling is MUCH easier to manage in the Hopper than the similar weight hauled directly on your bike, like in a pannier or basket. Like all trailers, you’ll notice a bit of bumping when it rolls over uneven surfaces—such as curb ramps at the end of sidewalks—but it’s surprisingly minimal.
In hilly areas, however, a good climbing gear on your bike is essential when pulling heavier loads.
Hooking up to Your Bike
The Hopper attaches to your bike using an included hitch that mounts to your bike’s rear axle. If your bike’s axle isn’t long enough to accommodate the added width of the hitch, you’ll need to purchase a longer axle. These are typically inexpensive and widely available online, including on Amazon. For eBikes, the Robert Axle Project is a helpful resource for determining the correct axle size and type for your setup, as well as purchasing a compatible hitch.
Once the hitch is installed, attach the tow arm to the front of the trailer by sliding it into the mount and securing it with the locking pins. Then, insert the other end of the tow arm into the hitch on your bike and secure it with the locking pin.
Before riding, fold the front caster wheels up into the bottom of the trailer. To do this, press the yellow deploy button and fold the wheels up until they click into place. This ensures the Hopper is ready and stable for towing.
For increased visibility, the Hopper also comes with a safety flag.
Trailer Features
Included Cover
The included water-resistant cover is a great addition for hauling cargo. It stretches over the trailer’s top edge and hooks onto small side tabs. A built-in bungee cord along the edge of the cover lets you tighten it further.
Sewn-in Side Pockets
To keep small objects from being lost in the trailer, small, mesh pockets are sewn into the sides of the trailer. The pockets are unfortunately partially covered by the seat inserts (part pulled back in the image below), but they are large and easily hold everything from water bottles and sippy cups to small jackets.
Optional Interior Organizer Kit
If you’re hauling lots of small items or simply want to keep your cargo more organized, the optional Interior Organizer Kit is a great add-on. It includes two panels with additional mesh pockets that attach across the interior sides of the trailer, allowing you to create up to three separate compartments. You can use both panels for maximum separation or just one to divide the space into two sections, depending on your needs.
Burley Hopper in Use – Wagon Mode
The Hopper’s wagon mode is really what makes it a game changer. While there are several different cargo bike trailers available, their utility stops with the bike.
The Hopper however, quickly and easily converts to a push wagon that works phenomenally well as a cart at the grocery store, farmers market or anywhere you choose to adventure. The ease at which the Hopper goes from trailer to wagon and then back to trailer makes it the perfect tool for car-light lifestyles or just getting out more with your bike.
While I wasn’t surprised by how well the Hopper towed behind a bike, Burley has always made solid trailers, I was genuinely impressed by how effortlessly it functioned in wagon mode. The wagon pushes smooth and easily navigates small areas and is a breeze to take through checkout.
Its large rear wheels and smoothly pivoting front caster wheel made maneuvering through tight spaces incredibly easy. It turns on a dime and spins a full 360 degrees, which is something most traditional wagons can’t do without performing a series of awkward, multi-point turns.
The Hopper handled narrow walkways, crowded areas, and tight corners with ease. The handlebar has a bit of play while steering the wagon, it may feel a little loose at first, but you quickly get used to it, and it doesn’t interfere with maneuverability.
For added safety, the wagon also has an easy to use parking brake that locks and unlocks with a push of your foot.
The Hopper is even a huge help off the bike. During testing, we were prepping for a mountain biking camping trip with a large group of teenagers, and the Hopper, as the teens would say, “came in clutch.”
From hauling bags of ice to unloading massive Costco boxes, the Hopper made both unloading the car after shopping trips and packing up for the trip significantly easier and faster.
Converting to Wagon Mode
Converting the Hopper from trailer to wagon mode is quick and straightforward. Just lower the front caster wheels, move the trailer arm to the wagon handlebar mount and snap it into place, then unfold the handlebar. You’ll be ready to roll in no time.
Burley Hopper in Use – Wagon Mode with Optional Child Seat(s)
Burley’s Seat Insert and Sunshade Kit transforms the Hopper into a full-fledged stroller wagon, complete with a 5-point harness and a collapsible sunshade. The trailer can accommodate two seat inserts, with one facing forward and the other rear-facing. For those looking to save, the seat insert is also available without the sunshade. The sunshade is also available on its own.
Installing the seat inserts doesn’t require any tools and can be done on the fly, although it may take a bit of adjusting to get the seat positioned just right. The seat cushion as the seat back are both plushly padded making them comfortable and functional.
The sunshade snaps easily onto the top edge of the wagon and can be used independently from the seat. Parent testers especially liked the canopy’s built-in viewing window, which made it easy to check in on their little ones during outings.
We tested the Hopper with children ranging from 9 months to 5 years old with great success. Our parents were surprised how well it pushed and two separate families mentioned how great the wagon would be to use at Disneyland.
While the seat insert isn’t as roomy or refined as those found in high-end wagons, it provides a comfortable, practical and easy to use kid hauler. Being a wagon, however, the seat base is fairly shallow, but our 5-year-old tester was able to fit with plenty of room for her 9 month-old sister.
Buckle
The 5 point harness of the Hopper is adjustable to fit a wide range of ages and includes a simple, yet and easy to use buckle. The buckle is two handed for safety and unlike our poor example shown below, tightens down fully for the smallest of riders.
Hauling the Seat Inserts
If you plan to ride to a destination using the Hopper in trailer mode and then switch to stroller wagon mode, it’s important to know that the seat inserts and sunshade will need to be removed if you want to use the included weather-resistant cover. Two full sets of seat inserts and sunshades also won’t fit inside the Hopper with the cover on. One seat insert and sunshade fits just fine though.
Burley Hopper Wagon & Stroller Bottom Line
Fun, easy to use, and incredibly versatile, the Burley Hopper has quickly become one of our favorite tools for simplifying everyday adventures. Whether you’re looking to cut back on car trips or just want a healthier, more enjoyable way to explore with your kids, the Hopper fits seamlessly into an active lifestyle. From hauling gear or kids in wagon mode to bringing groceries home by bike, it makes car-light living more attainable and a lot more fun.
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 ourTerms of Use.
