Touring - Travelers check?

Hello!
So, I’m looking to do some touring through South America as a kind of a graduation present to myself. I’ve been doing some research on what bike would be right for my needs. The tour will probably last 2 to 3 weeks and will be self-contained in a very minimalist fashion and the roads will be unknown conditions (possible dirt). I really wanted a bike with the S&S couplers. And they only frame that’s in my price range is the surly travelers check. From what I’ve read, this frame is a great do anything frame, a jack of all trades. And the cross geometry might lend it’s self helpful on unknown terrain. The desire for the S&S couplers in contingent on being able to break the travel case down and pack it with me. I’d like to have the option of being able to say “hey this place sucks, I’m gonna take a train a few hundred miles that’a way”. I’m looking go get the most versatility as I can out of this rig as I can. I guess I would use something like a backpack case. (http://www.sandsmachine.com/ac_back.htm) But 8 lb sounds a little ridiculous.
So here are my questions. If anyone has any experience or thoughts it would be greatly appreciated.

Will the travelers check be a decent frame for this kind of trip?
Has anyone packed a case with them?
Is it feasible to carry a bike case while touring? Or is the weight to usefulness ratio way the hell outa whack.
Does anyone have a better idea for a break down case?

Thanks for the help,
Pook

Why do you need a bike with S&S? I almost bought a tandem with S&S (and a tandem might really need them) and just about everyone had a horror story about them. Three weeks in SA? You could probably buy a bike down there if you are worried about packing for the plane. Bike and plane worries are generally overstated. The bike will arrive fine. You however with the fancy bag and S&S couplers will have to figure out a place to store the bag for return, spend about 2 hours putting the bike back together (remember, the cables will all have to be re-assembled and adjusted). You'll have to return from the same airport, get the bag back (may not be easy in countries where dishonesty is a way of life) and then spend another two hours or more disassembling the bike. Some vactaion!

<edit>Your trip is not really minimalist. Try taking down a $200 bike and giving it to a local before you leave. A bike to someone who has no money and no means of transportation is a huge gift and perhaps could change their life. </edit>

carrying a bike case with you is pretty crazy. the travelerscheck is the same thing as the crosscheck so of course it can be used as a touring bike. in any case, i doubt you'll be able to fit a bike in that space if you're using a rack or any of the other typical touring accessories.

You can definitely tour with the TC, that's pretty much what it's made for. However....

1) The TC costs around $1,000 more than the standard Cross Check, plus throw in another $200ish for a case. It's only worth it if you travel frequently with your bike.

2) TC/CC might work out for South America. Dirt roads won't be much of a problem for that frame, given the right tires.

3) Traveling with the case really isn't feasible. You can leave the case with a hotel, though they'll likely charge you for the storage fees.

Thanks for the insight and thoughts.

Why do you need a bike with S&S? I almost bought a tandem with S&S (and a tandem might really need them) and just about everyone had a horror story about them.

What problems with S+S couplers did you hear of?