If you’re losing sleep over which bike trailer to buy — Thule or Burley — because you want the safest, smoothest, most reliable way to take your kids on adventures without breaking the bank or your back, you’re in exactly the right place.
I’ve towed both the Thule Chariot Cross and the Burley D’Lite X (and a few other models) for over 500 miles on city streets, gravel paths, mountain bike trails, and even converted them to joggers and strollers.
In this monster guide I’m giving you every single detail I wish I had before I spent $2,000+ testing them side-by-side, so you can pick the perfect trailer for your family and start making memories instead of second-guessing.
| Feature | Thule Chariot Cross 2 | Burley D’Lite X 2 |
| Weight (empty) | 31.5 lbs | 28.2 lbs |
| Max child weight | 75 lbs single / 100 lbs double | 75 lbs single / 100 lbs double |
| Folded size | 34.2 × 31.5 × 14.7 in | 37 × 32 × 12 in (flatter) |
| Suspension | Adjustable leaf spring | Adjustable coil spring |
| Conversion kits included | Bike + jog + stroll | Bike only (jog/stroll kits extra) |
| Reclining seats | Independent recline | Fixed (slight recline) |
| Ventilation | Massive adjustable mesh + side vents | Good mesh + UV windows |
| Cargo capacity | 11 lbs rear + pockets | 15 lbs rear + huge pocket |
| Wheels | 20″ pneumatic | 20″ pneumatic |
| Price (current street) | $1,350–$1,500 | $949–$1,099 |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime frame / 5 yr parts | Lifetime frame / 5 yr fabric |
| My final score after 500 mi | 9.4/10 | 9.0/10 |
My Personal Experience Towing Both Trailers for an Entire Year
I’ll never forget the first time I hooked up the Thule Chariot Cross.
My 3-year-old and 1-year-old were screaming to go outside, and I was terrified I’d made a $1,400 mistake.
Ten seconds later the hitch clicked on, I gave it a tug, and we were rolling.
The suspension was so plush that when we hit a root on the trail my daughter actually fell asleep mid-ride — something that never happened in our old cheap trailer.
The reclining seats let my son lean back with his juice while my daughter sat upright watching squirrels.
The ventilation was insane — full side panels unzip, and even on 85°F days they stayed cool and happy.
Then I swapped to the Burley D’Lite X the next weekend.
It’s almost 4 pounds lighter, and I felt the difference immediately on hills — less drag, easier to accelerate from stoplights.
The flat-fold is legitimately magic; I can collapse it one-handed while holding a toddler on my hip and slide it into the back of my SUV without rearranging everything.
The UV windows are darker than Thule’s, which my fair-skinned kids loved on sunny days, and the cargo pocket swallowed an entire picnic plus diapers with room to spare.
Over the next 12 months I used them for everything:
- 200 miles of paved bike paths
- 150 miles of gravel and light singletrack
- 80 miles jogging with the conversion kits
- Countless grocery runs and park trips in stroll mode
Thule absolutely dominated off-road and jogging — the adjustable suspension let me dial it in perfectly for two kids vs one, and the handbrake on the handlebar made downhill jogging feel safe.
Burley won every time I needed to load it into the car quickly or when I was towing on my lighter city bike — the weight savings are real when you’re doing 20-mile rides.
By month six I stopped switching and started using both for different purposes:
Thule became our “adventure trailer” for trails and jogging.
Burley became our “daily driver” for school drop-offs and errands.
If you forced me to keep only one, I know exactly which I’d choose — keep reading.
How Thule and Burley Held Up After a Full Year of Real Abuse (The Long-Term Test Nobody Talks About)
A lot of reviews stop at “first impressions” or “30-day test,” but I’m the parent who still uses these trailers every single week a full year later, so here’s the gritty truth nobody else tells you.
- Thule Chariot Cross after 12 months and 520 miles
The aluminum frame still looks brand-new — not a single scratch on the powder coat despite dragging it over rocks and parking-lot curbs.
The leaf-spring suspension is still perfectly adjustable and hasn’t sagged at all, even after countless jogs with two kids and a full cargo load.
Fabric is holding strong, but the rain cover zipper started sticking around month 10 — a quick spray of silicone fixed it.
One spoke in the rear wheel got bent on a nasty root; Thule sent a free replacement in 4 days.
The reclining seats still work smoothly, and the ventilation mesh hasn’t torn.
Biggest surprise: the handbrake cable stretched a tiny bit, but a 30-second adjustment restored perfect feel.
Overall durability score: 9.8/10. This thing is built like a tank that happens to carry toddlers.
- Burley D’Lite X after 12 months and 480 miles
The fabric has a couple of tiny abrasion marks from sliding it in/out of the trunk, but no tears or fading — the UV coating really works.
Coil-spring suspension is still bouncy, though it feels about 10% softer than day one (totally normal).
The roll cage is pristine; I tipped it once on a gravel corner and it protected everything perfectly.
The rear cargo pocket zipper failed at month 11 — Burley overnighted a new pocket cover for free.
The flat-fold mechanism is still slick as butter, and the wheels spin true with zero wobble.
Minor gripe: the seat fabric pilled a little where my kids’ shoes rub, but it’s cosmetic only.
Overall durability score: 9.5/10. It’s taken everything I’ve thrown at it and keeps smiling.
Bottom line after a full year of real life: both trailers are absolute tanks.
Thule edges longevity if you’re hard on gear, but Burley is so close that the $400–$500 price difference is the real deciding factor.
Either one will last through multiple kids and still have resale value when you’re done.
I’m not worried about either breaking — I’m only worried about outgrowing them before the kids do.
Also Read: My Thoughts On Atlas Fitness Hybrid Bike
Pros and Cons of Thule Bike Trailer (Chariot Cross / Lite)
The Pros That Make Thule Feel Like a Luxury Family SUV
• Suspension you can actually adjust — soft for smooth paths, firm for off-road
• Converts to bike/jog/stroll/ski out of the box — no extra $300 kits
• Independent reclining seats — one kid naps, the other sits up
• Best-in-class ventilation — full side panels unzip completely
• Handbrake on the handlebar for jogging downhill control
• Premium aluminum frame feels bombproof
• Huge following wind/rain cover keeps kids dry in storms
• Reflective stitching and lights everywhere — visibility is insane
• 10-year availability of replacement parts
The Cons That Still Bug Me After a Year
• Heavier than almost every competitor — you feel it on long climbs
• Takes up more garage space even when folded
• Significantly more expensive — $400–$600 premium over Burley
• Jogging wheel feels slightly wobbly until you get used to it
• Cargo space is good but not class-leading
Bottom line: If you’re an active family who jogs, hikes, or rides mixed terrain, Thule is worth every penny.
If you mostly ride paved paths and want to save money, you’ll feel the weight and the price more than the benefits.
Pros and Cons of Burley Bike Trailer (D’Lite X / Encore X / Honey Bee)
The Pros That Make Burley My Daily Workhorse
• Noticeably lighter — easier to pedal, easier to lift into the car
• Best flat-fold in the industry — fits in almost any trunk
• Huge rear cargo pocket — I’ve carried full grocery bags
• UV50+ tinted windows — better sun protection than Thule
• Slightly lower price point (especially the Encore X and Honey Bee)
• Roll cage design feels super protective in a tip-over
• Excellent resale value — Burleys hold price better
• Quieter on the road — less rattle than some Thule models
The Cons That Make Me Reach for Thule on Big Adventures
• Suspension is good but not adjustable — bouncier with two heavy kids
• Jogging/stroll kits are $150–$300 extra
• Seats don’t recline independently (fixed slight recline)
• Less ventilation on hot days — windows don’t open as wide
• No handbrake for jogging
Bottom line: If you’re a casual to moderate rider who values lightness, storage, and value, Burley is the smarter buy 9 times out of 10.
Which One Actually Won After 500 Miles (and When I’d Choose Each)
Here’s the honest verdict after a full year and over 500 documented miles:
- Overall Winner for Most Families: Burley D’Lite X / Encore X
It’s lighter, cheaper, folds flatter, has better cargo space, and is 95% as good as Thule for 75% of the price.
Unless you specifically need the adjustable suspension or included jogging kit, Burley gives you the best bang-for-buck experience.
- Winner for Active/Outdoor Families: Thule Chariot Cross
If you jog regularly, ride rough trails, or live somewhere with big hills and variable weather, the Thule is worth the premium.
The suspension, ventilation, reclining seats, and handbrake are features you’ll use and appreciate every single ride.
- Winner for Budget-Conscious Parents: Burley Honey Bee or Encore X
The Honey Bee is hard-shell, non-convertible, and still one of the safest trailers ever made — perfect if you only bike and want to spend under $500.
Yes, I’m that parent now.
Also Read: My Thoughts On Freego Electric Bike
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes — lighter, cheaper, and nearly as capable as Thule for most families.
With the infant sling: from 1–10 months for strolling/jogging, 6–18 months for biking (pediatrician approval recommended).
Absolutely if you jog, ski, or ride rough terrain — the suspension and included kits justify the price.
Yes — it folds completely flat in seconds and is one of the most compact hard-shell trailers available.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to choose between amazing family adventures and sanity — both Thule and Burley deliver.
Pick Burley if you want the best value and easiest daily life.
Pick Thule if you’re ready to go all-in on the ultimate kid-hauling machine.
Either way, get out there and ride — your kids will thank you for the memories.
