Burley Travoy Review

Burley updated the Travoy since our first test period with this trailer. The latest model features a new Quick Hitch which allows for a tool-free transition from bike to bike. There are integrated wheel guards, an extendable tow arm, and a wider kickstand to provide a stable platform when the trailer is standing on its own. Finally, the original version came with a suspended tote bag included, but the new one, unfortunately, does not. There are now multiple bags and attachments available for purchase separately.

Performance Comparison

Capacity

The Travoy offers a decent weight capacity of 60 pounds and comes equipped with two straps that secure to attachment points along the side of the trailer. We found that this trailer excelled at hauling odd-shaped items and those that needed to remain upright. It's worth noting the maximum weight capacity of the Travoy is on the lower end of the spectrum, and the flexible materials used in its construction seem like they don't want to be pushed very hard. If you plan on loading your bike trailer down with heavy items such as water jugs, firewood, or trail building material, check out some of the more “rough and tumble” options in our review.

Our biggest gripe with the update to the Travoy is the omission of the tote sack. This bag clipped to the sides and allowed us to suspend our groceries off the bottom of the trailer. That said, there are a host of bags and accessories available that look effective, and if they are anything like the original trailer/tote, they will work well at keeping fragile items suspended and unspoiled.

Ease of Use

The Travoy is incredibly easy to set up and collapse for storage. The trailer folds down and fits perfectly into an included storage bag. We also found the hitching mechanism to work well and set up quickly. Once we got used to hitching the trailer to its mount, we could hitch and unhitch one-handed, allowing us to balance the bike or scroll endlessly through Instagram at the same time.

Out of the box, we thought this dainty little trailer wouldn't have what it takes to see regular use. However, the reality of how easy it is to use this trailer heavily influenced how much action it saw, and it held up well. It easily wheels in and out of the grocery store, and, most importantly, it doesn't take up hardly any storage space in your dwelling. Simply put, we used this trailer for errands around town often as its unique shape and ease of storage made tough items easy to tote.

Ease of Towing

Before we get into the “stress testing” results, the reality of the Travoy is that it is an efficient and easily towed two-wheel trailer. The tiny wheels and flexible materials will heavily restrict what types of road surfaces one might want to pull this trailer over. While smooth gravel was just fine, chunky roads were a no-go.

This trailer is generally quite stable, even with a large, awkward load such as two climbing crash pads, but we did find a pretty significant weakness. If you corner quickly or clip a bump on the inside wheel of a turn, the trailer will turn over. This was especially pronounced when hauling larger items. That said, when we were really thinking about having a trailer in tow, it was easy to keep all two wheels down. Flipping the trailer early on also highlighted that this trailer, despite its dainty feel, can take a beating.

Smoothness of Ride

One of the first things we noticed pulling the Travoy was how quiet it was in tow. There was no rattling or really any sound coming from the trailer. Without anything loaded, the trailer is relatively stable and capable of making tighter turns than you would typically need to make while towing (unless you clip a curb or have the trailer loaded top-heavy).

Through grass and gravel, the tiny wheels of the Travoy definitely struggled a bit more than other trailers. If you're heading off-road in any capacity, we would suggest looking at some of the single-wheel touring trailer options as they don't come with the same turnover risk and can track much straighter on tight paths.

Versatility

The Travoy isn't a jack of all trades trailer like some of the others options we have tested. This trailer is much more specialized but is also uniquely able to accomplish a few tasks better than other trailers. This is a truly fantastic option if you're looking for something specific to do a short work commute or grocery shop. Additionally, the Travoy has the unique ability to haul awkward items that need to stand up relatively straight such as long narrow boxed items or even large potted plants.

The ultra-packable design does add some points back to the overall versatility score, as we found getting this trailer in and out of our house was quick and easy. In contrast, other trailers didn't really have a place to live inside and were relegated to the porch or yard. Not only did this add to the versatility, but it allowed us to simply use the trailer more than we would have if it was a hassle to get it outside and set up.

Value

If you are in the market for a practical solution to grocery shopping by bike or want something to haul uniquely odd-shaped items, this is a great deal. Suppose you're willing to get clever and don't mind the unrefined nature of cheaper trailers. In that case, the Travoy may not be the best overall value since what it offers can technically be accomplished by cheaper options with enough ingenuity. However, we found the Travoy able to haul more fragile items without rattling them to pieces. While this trailer isn't suited for tasks outside urban commuting, transporting, and shopping, it does its job well and can pack up into an easily stored package.

Conclusion