Touring - Panniers and trailers: post-tour use

I am still undecided about whether to go trailer or panniers for long distance loaded touring. I have read many "versus" threads so I won't even bother to ask which one is better for use during a tour. My question is, has anyone found if either panniers or trailers have been a real benefit post-tour? Do you use them for errands, and if so which works better? Or do yours just herd in dust bunnies then "pull thier weight"?

I use my pans all the time. If I'm riding out to my girlfriends house, and want to take a change of clothes and stuff I just throw the pans on. My BOB is great for picking some stuff up from the store, errands, etc. Sure, I use both my pans and the BOB for all kinds of stuff. That's why I have more than one bike. I have one set up for touring and the heavy errands and things, and the other for just riding.

The trailer gathers dust bunnies as one of the solid rubber tires split off. And the wife who must have a car takes care of the heavy shopping. The panniers I use for commuting are falling apart from constant use and will be replaced soon with bigger ones. I can hang the bike on the rack we keep on the car but no trailer I know of would fit in the trunk. Panniers can go in the back seat. Trailers also would not work when I bus/bike commute. If we had no car then I would fix the trailer. Consider two sizes of panniers for different needs.

Hi I only tour a month a year and I use mostly pannier's, the question is do you bike to places where you wish you could be carrying something. I live in the country and find neither usefull for post tours as it is too far to bike and would rather drive, something to think about. hope it helps. jay

Hi I only tour a month a year ....

ONLY a month a year? Man, I would LOVE to be able to tour ONLY a month a year. Most of us in the working world can manage only a week to ten days, tops.

Oh, forgot to include my answer to the question. I have both a trailer and panniers. For me, the panniers work better for tours, commuting and light shopping (drug store, quick errands), the trailer better for heavy shopping (groceries, etc.) Depends on what you envision your needs to be. I suspect, though, that over time you will eventually get both if you use your bike routinely.

Have to admit, the BOB is hanging in the laundry room. Use our panniers about every day.

I have four paniers on my bike when I tour, but only one for daily use, maybe two if I am hauling more. The most impressive thing is that I have been using the same one or two paniers for 10 years, and none really looks more worn out than the others. If I had Otliebs I woud probably use something different for every day, they are too expensive and not that convenient.

The only trailer I use is a kid trailer. If I was hauling groceries I would make a cheap purpose built trailer for that, I;m not leaving a BOB outside the grocery store drawing attention to my bike and trailer.

For me the trailer question is the same for touring or cars. trailers aren't as convenient, and don't drive as nicely. The experience is the same for a bike or a car. Only time I use a trailer is when I can't fit the stuff I am carrying into the car/bike. Who do you know anyone who drives their car everywhere with a trailer attached, and doesn't bother to put stuff in the inside the car or trunk?

I use my Burley Nomad trailer all the time. Usually two to three times per week. I use it for shopping, recycling and bottle and can returns to the store. I live in a state where there is a bottle deposit required. I also usually have one pannier on my bike to carry smaller stuff when I don't use the trailer. I have toured with a trailer sometimes and panniers sometime and still haven't made up my mind either.

I use year round the "small" T-42 that hang over the front wheel during a tour. At least one is used all the time for basic stuff (i.e. flat repair kit, lunch, pump, raingear), and I take the second one if I plan to shop. My larger panniers, on the other hand, are used much less often.

As for the trailer, I use it to buy large items.

I'd buy the Panniers first, see how you get on and then maybe go for the trailer later

I use both. Panniers for commuting and most groceries, trailer for cases of beer, wine and juice.

I have a full set of panniers and I bought a used BoB last Autumn which I used a few time for transporting large items. I find the panniers more helpful daily life like shopping and doing laundry. I am sure the BoB will be used and for the price I paid, $180.00 Canadian it is worth having. I live car free, but the women I am seeing has a car and this winter she helped me with a couple of large grocery runs. With the BoB if I use it for moving large items I figure I am saving myself about $15.00 -$25.00 taxi fare each time and I can always use it for short tours.

As some others have said, depends on your need/use.
I've both large & small pans + an old Burly 2 seater. Large pans for commuting as I need to take a change of clothes. Small pans go this time of the year when I need more (warmer) clothes. Alot of times I'll get home from work, drop the pans & pick up the trailer to get my kiddos from thier mom's. Handles thier school bags + other stuff they want to bring (daughter plays the bassoon which is kinda hard to carry any other way).