Burley recalling 34,000 trailers because of tow-bar receiver concern

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — Burley Design is working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision and Canadian authorities to voluntarily recall some bike child trailers where the tow bar can separate from its receiver on the trailer.

The company is asking owners of about 34,000 trailers, sold between 2009 and this year, to contact the company for a free safety strap kit with tools and instructions for installation and a coupon for a 20 percent discount on the purchase of any Burley accessory. The company also is asking consumers to inspect the black plastic tow bar receiver. If it appears to be cracked or damaged, consumers should also request a free replacement receiver.

The company said the tow bar can fall out of the receiver if the user does not insert a retaining pin all the way. The company has received 35 reports of trailers separating from the tow bar, including two incidents that resulted in abrasions to a child.

"We have received a small number of reports of bike trailer tow bar receivers breaking during use, in some cases causing the trailer to detach from the bike. After extensive testing to recreate this scenario, it has been determined that the root cause is incomplete/improper attachment of the tow bar to the receiver on the trailer. If the retaining pin is not inserted properly through the tow bar and receiver, the tow bar can slide out of the receiver or generate enough torque to break the receiver. This can cause the trailer to detach from the bicycle," the company said.

This recall involves seven models of trailers. The recalled trailers can be identified by the first four characters of the serial numbers on the trailer. The serial number is on a sticker in the rear cargo area behind the seat of the trailer on the left inside frame bar. The following seven trailer models and serial numbers are being recalled:

• Model: Cub; Serial numbers: K943
• Model: Rental Cub; Serial numbers: K943
• Models: D'Lite and D'Lite ST; Serial numbers: D948 and K948
• Model: Encore; Serial numbers: K942
• Models: Solo and Solo ST; Serial numbers: D939, K939 and KK939

Burley emphasized that the recall involves trailers with a plastic receiver, as shown in the photo above. Trailers with aluminum tow bar receivers are not included in the recall.

The trailers were sold at REI, Sport Chalet and other sporting goods stores and bike shops nationwide, and at Amazon.com and other online retailers from January 2009 to October 2015 for between $300 and $700. Distributors and retailers are being informed about the recall, but the current plan is for Burley to deal directly with consumers on the remedy. In addition to about 34,000 of the affected trailers that were sold in the U.S., about 820 were sold in Canada and are also being recalled.

Consumers can be referred to a special recall page on Burley's website, burley.com/recall. Consumers also can contact Burley directly at (800) 311-5294 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. 

More information: CPSC recall notice.