Disc brakes are the ideal braking companion when pulling a bike trailer. They offer superior braking power to your bike, which is especially needed when towing 40+ lbs of extra weight.
But are disc brakes compatible with bike trailers?
Here’s everything you need to know about how to attach any bike trailer to a disc brake bike.
Can you pull a bike trailer with thru-axle disc brakes?
Disc brake bikes with a thru-axle will usually require an adapter costing around $60 in order to pull a bike trailer. In particular, Burley, Thule, and Hamax bike trailers will likely require an adapter in order to attach the bike trailer hitch to the thru-axle.
Keep on reading to find out if your disc brakes and bike trailer setup is compatible!
What you should know if you have disc brakes
If you have a disc brake bike and would like to use it to pull a bike trailer, then there a few important things for you to know.
1. Bike trailers are notoriously incompatible with disc brakes
Burley and Thule bike trailers in particular may not be compatible with your thru-axle disc brakes. But that doesn’t mean it won’t work!
Bike trailer manufacturers do a good job of providing instructions on how to make it work. In fact, many bike trailers now come with an updated coupler attachment that is compatible with disc brakes.
Meaning, if you have an older bike trailer, then there’s a good chance it will not be compatible out of the box.
2. Your disc brakes might work just fine without any attachments
Although bike trailer companies do a pretty good job at explaining what you should do if you have disc brakes, the reality is that there are too many types of disc brakes for them to keep up with.
My best recommendation is actually to just get the bike trailer you want and see if it fits. If it doesn’t fit, then visit this guide to get the attachments that you need.
From my personal experience of attaching my Burley Bee trailer to my disc brake bike, it is not as straightforward as Burley’s website states. The reality is that there are so many variations of disc brakes thru-axle sizes, thread sizes, and axle lengths.
The Burley website gives instructions that don’t work for every disc brake owner, and in some cases, the attachments they recommend are not even needed.
I have a solution for you: just get the bike trailer you want and see if it fits.
The reason I say this is based on personal experience. I initially bought all three of the attachments that Burley recommends for thru-axle disc brakes (about $90 in total). After I got the attachments from Amazon and used them with my Burley trailer, I noticed that my Burley trailer worked just fine with my bike’s original thru-axle!
My best advice when it comes to attachments and bike trailers is to just get the bike trailer you want and see if it attaches to your bike. If it doesn’t fit, then follow the guidelines in this guide on how to attach any bike trailer to any bike.
Can all bike trailers attach to disc brakes?
Although it is possible to attach any bike trailer with any style of disc brakes (with the right adapter), it is important to note that not all brands of bike trailers play nicely with the almighty disc brake.
Burley, Thule, and Hamax trailers in particular are notorious for being incompatible with disc brakes.
If you have a 12mm thru-axle disc brake system, then I would hesitate to even recommend getting those bike trailer brands because of the added hassle and potential additional costs of the attachments needed (it could add up to around $90 in total). It is honestly just so complicated!
If you are set on getting a Burley, Thule, or Hamax trailer, then just get it and see if it fits. There’s a chance you will not need any adapters, as was my case.
Read below how to adapt your bike to work with any bike trailer brand.
What to do if your bike trailer doesn’t fit your disc brakes
If your disc brake bike is not compatible with your trailer, the reason is likely that you have a 12mm thru-axle style rear wheel. Thru-axles that are at least 12mm in diameter will sometimes not fit through the hole of the coupler hitch attachment that comes with the bike trailer.
An example of this would be any Burley bike trailer. Standard Burley trailers use a unique patented hitching system that allows for better pivoting, according to Burley. This system was not originally optimized for disc brakes that have 12mm thru-axle, which unfortunately means additional attachments might be required.
Luckily, bike trailer manufacturers are keeping up with the disc brake trend by providing solutions for disc brake users.
The issue with thru-axle disc brakes is that there are so many different sizes of thru-axles that it is very difficult for bike trailer manufacturers to keep up with it.
So if your bike trailer does not fit your particular bike, then follow the guidelines below.
How to measure your thru-axle
Most of the confusion around thru-axles and bike trailers comes down to the fact that there are so many different sizes of thru-axles.
Here’s how to measurements you will need in order to find the correct thru-axle adapter for your bike:
1. Axle diameter
The axle diameter measures the diameter around the axle. Most thru-axles are 12mm, so it’s probably safe to assume your thru-axle is 12mm.
2. Axle length
The axle length measures the distance (usually in mm) from the head of the axle to the end. You will need to know your bike’s axle length in order to purchase the correct thru-axle adapter.
3. Thread pitch
The thread pitch measures the distance between each individual thread. You will need to know your bike’s thread pitch in order to purchase the correct adapter for your bike trailer.
Where to get the right thru-axle adapter
This is such a common question, that I decided to make a helpful guide on exactly where to find the correct thru-axle adapter for any bike trailer.
Check out that adapter guide here.
Below we outlined the different ways to attach your disc brake bike to your specific brand of bike trailer.
Are your bike trailer and disc brakes compatible?
This section will explain the major types of trailer and bike combinations to help you identify if your bike trailer is compatible and if you will need to purchase an adapter.
Here’s a helpful table to show you which adapter you might need to attach your bike trailer to your specific bike.
Note: These are general guidelines that work for most situations. Every bike has a different type of axle size and thread.
| TRAILER BRAND | TYPE OF BIKE | ADAPTER NEEDED |
| Burley | Quick-release | None |
| Burley | Thru-axle | Thru-axle adapter (find your adapter) |
| Burley | Hooded dropouts | Spacer (view on Amazon) |
| Thule | Quick-release | None |
| Thule | Thru-axle | Thru-axle adapter (find your adapter) |
| Thule | Hooded dropouts | Spacer (view on Amazon) |
| Schwinn | Quick-release | None |
| Schwinn | Thru-axle | None |
| Instep | Quick-release | None |
| Instep | Thru-axle | None |
| Hamax | Quick-release | None |
| Hamax | Thru-axle | Thru-axle adapter (find your adapter) |
Burley bike trailer: How to attach a Burley trailer to disc brakes
Burley has created a handy instructional guide and a host of helpful videos (below) to help owners understand what kind of adapters they might need.
In my experience, disc brakes come in too many different sizes to know exactly which adapter you will need. Therefore, my best recommendation is to just get the trailer you want and check to see if it fits your bike before buying any adapters.
If it doesn’t fit, then check out this complete adapter guide on how to find the right adapter for your Burley trailer.
My experience was that I bought $90 worth of attachments and I ended up not even needing them because my Burley Bee works perfectly fine with my bike’s original thru-axle disc brakes.
Overall, I hesitate to even recommend getting a Burley bike trailer if you have disc brakes. But if you do have a Burley trailer, then go ahead and see if it fits. If it doesn’t fit, then check this adapter guide for specific instructions about your disc brakes.
Here’s my guide on where to get the right adapter for your bike.
What does Burley say about it?
According to Burley’s website, here’s what you need to know about adapting for disc brakes:
“12mm Thru-Axles will require Burley’s adapted Thru-Axle. This replacement axle has external threading to accommodate the installation of our axle mounted hitches.”
Burley also states, “The Classic Hitch is not compatible with disc brakes or rear suspension.”
The reason the Classic Hitch will not work is either because (1) the skewer of your rear wheel is too thick to pass through the hitch, or (2) the disc of the wheel gets in the way. In this case, the newer Burley Steel Hitch adapter will work on your disc brakes.
Burley’s website goes on to say, “If you are upgrading from a Classic Hitch to a Steel Hitch, you will also need to purchase a Flex Connector: Part # 950038 (square tow bar) or Part # 950037 (round tow bar).”
To read Burley’s full guide on adapters, go here.
If you are still totally confused about Burley hitches and adapters, then check out the helpful videos at the bottom of this post.
Here’s a helpful guide to Burley hitches:
Thule bike trailer: How to attach a Thule trailer to disc brakes
Thule bike trailers generally play nicely with disc brakes. However, if you have a 12mm thru-axle (like I do), then you will most likely need to purchase a thru-axle adapter.
Since there are so many different types of disc brakes, it makes it even more confusing for owners of Thule bike trailers.
Here’s my guide on where to get the right adapter for your bike.
Therefore, I have two recommendations:
1. Use the adapter guide to find the correct adapter
Thule has so many different types of adapters that it’s overwhelming for most people. I recommend using this helpful adapter guide to measure and locate the correct thru-axle adapter for your bike and bike trailer.
2. Use a different bike or don’t get a Thule bike trailer
I know, it’s a bit of a stretch to say this, but I hesitate to even recommend getting a Thule bike trailer in the first place if your bike has a thru-axle. Thule is already an expensive bike trailer brand and paying over $50 for more attachments doesn’t seem reasonable.
I’m surprised that Thule hasn’t figured out a way to make a more universal coupler system that fits all types of thru-axles.
Another alternative to consider is to just use a different bike to pull your Thule.
Click here to view Thule’s different types of thru-axle adapters.
Schwinn bike trailer: How to attach a Schwinn trailer to disc brakes
Schwinn bike trailers are a lot simpler to attach to disc brakes! If you have a 12mm thru-axle and an older Schwinn trailer coupler system (pictured below), then you will need to purchase a newer coupler that will fit the thru-axle. The thru-axle will not fit through this older coupler.
If you have a newer Schwinn coupler (pictured below), then your thru-axle bike will attach fine to a Schwinn bike trailer.
If your bike trailer still does not fit with the newer coupler, then you can purchase an adapter using the adapter guide.
Instep bike trailer: How to attach an Instep trailer to disc brakes
Instep and Schwinn are under the same company, so follow the same instructions in the above section about Schwinn trailers.
Recommended hitch attachments from Amazon
Burley Bike Trailers
- Problem: I have a thru-axle disc brake bike
- Solution
- If you know the type of thru-axle that you have, then check out Burley’s many thru-axle adapters you can find here.
Thule Bike Trailers
- Problem: I have a thru-axle disc brake bike
- Solution
- If you know the type of thru-axle that you have, then check out Thule’s many thru-axle adapters you can find here.
Schwinn or Instep Bike Trailers
- Problem: I have a thru-axle disc brake bike
- Solution:
- If you have an older coupler attachment, purchase the newer coupler.
- If you have the newer coupler, you’re good to go.
If you have another bike trailer that is not one of the four major manufacturers mentioned above, please read the adapter guide for details about your bike trailer or read the trailer’s user manual (here’s a list of user manuals).
Why are disc brakes better for pulling a bike trailer?
Whether you’re a disc brake enthusiast or you’d like to get a disc brake bike, you’ll be happy to know that disc brakes are ideal companions for bike trailers.
They offer superb braking power in even the worst riding conditions, while also giving you the extra needed force to stop the forward movement of pulling a bike trailer.
So, if you are set on using your disc brake bike to pull a bike trailer, then you’re in luck because it is absolutely possible. But there are some bike trailers to watch out for, which I explain below.
Can all bike trailers attach to disc brakes?
Although it is possible to attach any bike trailer with any style of disc brakes (with the right adapter), it is important to note that not all brands of bike trailers play nicely with the almighty disc brake.
Burley trailers and Thule trailers in particular are notorious for being incompatible with disc brakes.
If you have a thru-axle disc brake system, then I would recommend reconsidering getting a Burley or Thule bike trailer because of the additional costs of the attachments needed (up to $50–$90 in total just for attachments).
What are thru-axles and why do disc brakes use them?
For safety reasons, thru-axles are found on most disc brake bikes nowadays, as opposed to the quick-release system.
The very popular bike brand Trek recalled a certain disc brake bike because the quick-release lever was reportedly getting caught in the disc rotor when the lever was left open while riding. This incident seemingly taught the industry that the safest system for disc brakes is thru-axle, rather than quick-release.
Thru-axles also add a level of durability and stiffness to the fork of the bike when going over rougher terrain.
Conclusion
Are you getting excited about the idea of pulling a trailer with your disc brake bike? If so, then don’t let the potential extra cost of an adapter stop you in your tracks. But if not, then it’s perfectly safe to use a regular bike with caliper brakes to pull the trailer.
Be sure to check what kind of bike you have and the brand of bike trailer you have or want to get. Burley and Thule trailers are the least compatible with disc brakes if you have a 12mm thru-axle bike, so be aware of what you’re getting yourself into!
Need help finding the right bike trailer?
If you need help finding the right bike trailer for you, my recommended trailer for most people is the Swhinn Joyrider, which is an affordable double-seater that converts beautifully to a stroller. Check out my full review with photos here.
Check out the Ultimate Guide to Buying a Bike Trailer for more help with choosing a trailer. I also have compiled a list of the top bike trailers for every common situation, which you can check out here.
Ride on!
