Trailer Hitch for Platinum? Standard type or funky?

[Noreen]

I have found a used trailer to haul my dog, and now wonder whether I need different adapters? The trailer (Burley Tail Wagon - new $400; used $200 ish, and still negotiating), seems to come with a hitch for quick release wheels. I do not think that is going to work. Since I am not getting this at my LBS, I feel uncomfortable asking them to do the install.

Has anyone attached a Burley trailer to their Stromer, and if so, did you have to get extenders or other parts to make it work?

Thank you.

 

[opimax]

Ask them! You give them money, they give you service, a win win! Maybe tip of they don't charge enough

Mark

 

[Noreen]

The standard Burley hitch will not work. The standard hitch has a hole that will fit axel bolts that are either 9.5mm or 10.5mm. The Stromer has a 12mm bolt. So, to get it to mount, I would have to enlarge the Burley hitch hole - which I am not sure I am comfortable doing. I wonder whether any trailer company has a hitch with a larger hole to accommodate e-bike rear wheel bolts?

 

[Gus]

The standard Burley hitch will not work. The standard hitch has a hole that will fit axel bolts that are either 9.5mm or 10.5mm. The Stromer has a 12mm bolt. So, to get it to mount, I would have to enlarge the Burley hitch hole - which I am not sure I am comfortable doing. I wonder whether any trailer company has a hitch with a larger hole to accommodate e-bike rear wheel bolts?

That's exactly what I did and it was super easy. Mine was for BOB Nutz though. Not sure if the Burley hitch is threaded or you just need the hole bigger.

TIP: you can get the drill and tap at Pep Boys for only $5. Took me about 2 minutes to enlarge and thread the hole. Worked perfectly.
http://www.pepboys.com/product/details/9880049/

 

[JoePah]

I have found a used trailer to haul my dog, and now wonder whether I need different adapters? The trailer (Burley Tail Wagon - new $400; used $200 ish, and still negotiating), seems to come with a hitch for quick release wheels. I do not think that is going to work. Since I am not getting this at my LBS, I feel uncomfortable asking them to do the install.

Has anyone attached a Burley trailer to their Stromer, and if so, did you have to get extenders or other parts to make it work?

Thank you.

Did you buy your bike at your LBS? IF you did, they will be more than happy to take care of a good customer.. Just show up with some cookies!

Gus' advice is good too, however if youre not good with tools and don't want to chance it, the bike shop will handle it.

 

[Noreen]

I am not that skilled with tools - but think I am, which is a dangerous combination. I am not sure re: whether the Burley hitch is threaded, but can probably find out.

I did not buy my Stromer at LBS, but they have done a lot of the tweaks I wanted. They have been great - and yes, I am paying them for the tweaks. Still, they have been very enthusiastic about the project, which I appreciate. They are not making me feel like a second class cyclist.

I am now researching a frame or seat post mount option.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Nebster]

Hey guys,

Just got an ST1! Have clarifying question about adding trailer hitch. In my case, it's a Burley forged one like this: http://amzn.com/B001GSMUDA.

Question is, is there room on the rear axle to put this hitch between the bolt and the frame?

Sorry if that question doesn't use the right lingo. I am far from a bike expert.

Many thanks.

 

[Noreen]

Hello Nebster - I believe the answer is yes, but it may require some adaptation. I ended up having my LBS do the install. The only issue I knew was that the hitch accepts 9.5mm and 10.5 mm rear wheel bolts. The Stromer rear wheel bolt is 12mm. I bought a drill and tap from Pep Boys (thank you Gus/see above post) because I found a used trailer for half price. But, when I went to pick it up, the seller raised the price on the spot, so I walked away.

I then got a brand new trailer from my LBS for the same price as the used one, and had them do the install. They said that enlarging the hitch hole was simple, but also mentioned something else they did - which I forget. The hitch is only $20.00 so it might be worth ordering to check it out yourself.

If you are planning on towing just cargo, Burley has a seat post mount for the Travoy http://www.burley.com.
Since I am towing my dog, that was not an option for me, but may be for you.

 

[Nebster]

Thanks Noreen for these comments. Yours gave me the confidence to proceed.

I obatined a standard Burley (new style) hitch from Amazon and proceeded to fit it to the rear axle. It turns out there is room for it, but I elected to remove the two lock washers that were previously the only thing separating the axle nut from the dropout. I also had to machine down some of the ribbing on the aluminum hitch in order to give me enough clearance for my wrench to be able to really crank on the nut. Lastly, I replaced the black capped nut with a regular old nut of the same diameter and thread.

I've since taken the trailer on several aggressive rides (before putting the kiddo in), and I've noticed no issues. The nut stays firmly torqued onto the bracket, and all is well. It looks a little ghetto if you inspect it closely, but I am confident it is structurally sound.