Great thread! Thanks for the helpful information on TCO (total cost of ownership). I am a first time tamdem buyer and long time road rider so I have most of this gear already. My wife however is a different story - she will need to buy buy buy (but that is what she does best anyway <g>).
One other thing that can also be of sticker shock is:
Gear for the car (from Thule)
Foot Kit - $50
Load bars - $130
Tandem carrier - $350
--------------------------------
Total - $530
However, Mel from
www.tamdemseast.com makes a very nice custom tamdem carrier for around $150 and a swivel one (swings up and down for high cars liks SUVs for $300)