Touring - Trailer or panniers?

I'm curious which you prefer and why. So far, I've used panniers, but the trailer sounds like an idea which would have some merit.

i used a trailer on a MTB for one trip, no real probs, the odd off road track was a bit difficult, lifting bike and trailer.
on my recumbent tour, used panniers, with no probs, no off road, but easy to lift bike up as a whole !

Tons of information on this subject if you do a search... it's been brought up and argued about tons...

This issue is well settled. If you can't fit panniers, you get a trailer.

This issue is well settled. If you can't fit panniers, you get a trailer.
And if you want less flats and broken spokes, you get a trailer too.

And if you want to bring a guitar, you get a trailer.

Flying with panniers is much easier than flying with a trailer.

And if you want less flats and broken spokes, you get a trailer too.

No, you address the problem and get better tires and wheels. Then you have almost no flats and literally no broken spokes.


And if you want to bring a guitar, you get a trailer.

Yes, if loaded touring means bringing any manner of $hit, then you'll need a trailer.

haven't tried my look alike bob trailer as yet.i have just finished my project on turning my Raleigh road bike into a light weight tourer. it will be used to pull the trailer ,the tubes in the bike are reynolds finest 753 and way to light for racks /panniers.When i load up my thorn with front/rear panniers it's a dog on climbs (don't know how to add smiles)
so like yourself i'm dead curious to see which is better.

Rode one 1300 mile tour using both trailer and panniers (not at the same time). Short and dirty summary:

Trailer (BobYak semi-clone/single-wheel)
- less affected by crosswinds
- technically able to carry more/heavier/strangel-sized/shaped loads
- carried 1 additional inner tube (trailer wheels not the same size as the bike's)
- handling issue #1 - bike & trailer got tipped over by a rambunctious kid. Picking it back up was more awkward than doing the same thing with panniers
- handling issue #2 - this particular trailer mounting system was more sensitive to the QR skewer/mount being "just so" than any pannier mount I've seen/used. Incorrectly tightened just slightly, it caused a crash with minor injuries when torgueing the pedals while starting off (occured pre-tour during a warmup/shakedown ride).
- handling issue #3 - seemed to take longer to stop than with panniers
- reduced weight load on rear axle
- far larger turn radius/harder to back up
- no heel-strike issues due to panniers mounted too far forward
- extra locations for mounting water bottle cages
- extra wheel to check pre-ride each day (air pressure, detritus in tire, axle tightness, etc)
- 1 "big" bag rather than 4 smaller ones (storage space and carry issue - could go either way depending on how loaded/stuffed)

Panniers and racks (front and rear)
- sensitive to crosswind gusts affecting "my line". Definitely noticeable when winds were 20mph+ - but still usually more than manageable.
- more sensitive than the trailer was to load balance both left/right and front/rear
- much more built-in organization of packed items
- weighed slightly less than the trailer (negligible in terms of being rideable)
- three more bags to waterproof than with trailer cargo bag
- easier to park than the trailer
- daily bolt check tightness routine more involved than with the trailer. Did have to retighten one pannier mounting clip during the 3 week tour (have heard of others who've broken/had to repair mounting clips). Have heard of people losing a pannier at very inconvenient time - have never heard of similar issue with trailer cargo bag.
- wider than trailer (straight-line path wideness issue)
- I found panniers easier to balance at <5mph than the trailer
- needed to match rack to pannier mounting "system" (usually not a big issue, but I used "no longer made" panniers and a decades-newer rack).
- removing rear wheel/repairing rear flat was more time-consuming than when using the trailer

Others probably have difference experiences/perspectives.

Preference - shrug - it's a coin toss depending on terrain, tour length and road conditions. Trailer in rolling hills seemed to require more effort than panniers. Garbage-strew/rough shoulders were easier to negotiate with the panniers. In windy conditions, I definitely prefer the trailer.

One other issue with trailers that wasn't mentioned is that they are not great to draft behind. That may or may not be an issue for you, but I know that we rode pace line a lot on the TA and it was a big help in windy open country.

I use a trailer because my bike (Raleigh Clubman) isn't heavy enough for touring. I spent $150 for a Croozer as opposed to $800-$1,500 for a touring bike and it has allowed me to begin touring. About the only issue I have with the trailer is the amount of wind resistance due to it's cover and squareness. I do plan on getting a robust tourer and using panniers later.

I prefer panniers on the road. This summer I'm riding the Great Divide Route and will be pulling a Bob trailer, due to various issues. I could have tried panniers, but there were too many obstacles and I'm worried about broken spokes. I'll be sharing my conclusions after the tour.

I can't speak about panniers because I won't use them--I'm the world's biggest klutz and have already wiped my face off of the pavement when I had an unbalanced bike. I'm not knocking them, just that they're not for me. I know my limits.

I'm using a Mayacycle trailer and absolutely love it. I've taken it on over 1200 miles in the last few months as I train for my tour. It goes up and down hills, through obstacles (Mexican roads are...hmmm...interesting at times), over speed bumps and potholes. It can be a drag going uphill, but I think it'd be just as difficult to power a heavily loaded bike up that same hill. I like that all I have to do is disconnect the attaching fork and I'm done. I honestly don't notice it behind me when I'm moving. It doesn't affect my stopping distance, nor does it "push" me forward. Since this particular trailer is connected with a fork and is only one wheel, there's no real difference in my turning radius. The only disadvantage is that it does add some length to my bike. This has never been an issue, so far, when parking it. It's kind of nice to know that I can take a little extra crap with me if I want. Of course, the bad thing is that I may take too much crap with me because I have more room with a trailer!

For safety, I keep a red blinky light on it at all times, plus one on my bike (will be buying one of those traffic triangles as soon as I hit the States). I've never had any problems w/cars getting too close or not seeing me. Of course, there are always those $%^&* who like to sneak up and honk, but that's a different story...

I think it all boils down to what is comfortable for you. We can all tell you the benefits of panniers vs trailers or trailers vs panniers, but you have to decide what's important for you.

I just packed for my 1st tour in 20 years:eek: and we have severe rain/thunderstorms predicted for at least the first 2 days of our 4 day trip. I'm looking at the Bob my son borrowed and having one big dry bag is a lot easier than water proofing 4 panniers and and any outside compartments!

I envision I'll envy him at the end of the day when he can haul all his gear into the shelter with one pass. I may not envy him on hills, because a trailer - with heavy dry bag - will almost always work out to more weight that 4 panniers with the extra front rack.

If I fit his bike, may we will change mounts during the ride so we can experience the difference on the same tour - although I am carrying more weight and stuff than him.

In the next few weeks, I'll test both options with the same load to see which handles better.

The disadvantage of a trailer is transporting it by plane. It almost but not quite fits the bike box. The box is wide enough to accommodate the trailer and the bike, but the trailer is just a a couple of centimetres too high. I'm hoping Air Canada will not have too much of a problem with that. (The trailer I'd be using would be a cargo trailer.)

The advantages include being able to load all my gear in one bag rather than several panniers and having a much easier time dealing with flat tires, especially on the rear wheel.

Still, I'll have a better idea within the next couple of weeks after I do some testing.

You have 5 0r more pieces to deal with off the bike, with panniers.
with all your stuff in a trailer, there is just one piece,
and it has it's own wheels.

if you want to go on a back county hike in the middle of your trip
then you can put your backpack and boots in a trailer.

there was a Swedish guy, rode his bike to Nepal, climbed Everest,
then rode home.

I'm using a Mayacycle trailer and absolutely love it. I've taken it on over 1200 miles in the last few months as I train for my tour. It goes up and down hills, through obstacles (Mexican roads are...hmmm...interesting at times), over speed bumps and potholes.Yep - when there wasn't a problem with the QR skewer not holding, it's at least as good as the Bob.

Yep - when there wasn't a problem with the QR skewer not holding, it's at least as good as the Bob.

It's never been a problem for me and I've put it over some really, really bad terrain (most times it wasn't intentional). But like anything, you have to make sure everything is properly connected. I know you had a problem w/yours, but did you speak w/the company to report it? Since nothing in life is 100%, maybe you got a duff skewer. It'd be a shame not to be able to enjoy your trailer for something that's "fixable" (plus saving others from the same problem). Considering the roads and paths that I've been over in the last 7 or so months, I have no problem giving it a strong endorsement (and no, I don't get diddly squat for saying so). It's a good value trailer so I was really sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience.

FTR, I was really just trying to explain why a trailer was the best option for me.

How about both?

www.extrawheel.com

I first read about it on this guy's blog about his trip across the Australian outback.

How about both?

www.extrawheel.com

I first read about it on this guy's blog about his trip across the Australian outback.

I've had one of those and think it is a great trailer. Weighs less than 8lbs, trails beautifully and, depending on model, can take Drybag or panniers. It has an ingenious method for attaching the trailer also which I rate highly.

You have 5 0r more pieces to deal with off the bike, with panniers.
Maybe, but for me it is usually only one piece including the bike with panniers because I usually do not take them off the bike at all during a tour. I think that in 73 days of the TA I took them off once to leave the panniers in a hosts garage and again at the end of the tour when we were staying with friends for a few days and they shuttled our gear. On my other tours I don't think I removed the panniers even once until the end of the tour.

Edit: The handle bar bag is an exception since it generally stays with me at all times.

I liked meeting and talking to people in other countries , flew there,
took trains occasionally,
then the issue of handling the panniers, etc., off the bike came up.

I prefer panniers as I see the trailer as just one more big thing to deal with. There are always situations on my tours where a trailer would be a real pain - needing to lift the bike over a highway guard-rail, getting through a British stile, etc. I've toured with my bike weighing over 100 pounds (not recommended, but I even managed a century [double century?] one day), and I still think it's easier to handle than a trailer would be.

How about both?

www.extrawheel.com



I loved my ExtraWheel - it's a great trailer. I switched to the BOB after 5000 miles because it BOB was sturdier. ExtraWheel has now redesigned their trailer and they've addressed all the issues I had with it. I'll try it again.

I recently did my first overnight trip with a Burley Nomad, and it works perfectly for me. A couple of perceived advantages over a one-wheeled bob-clone or panniers:

- Balance: I feel that it takes a lot less work to haul the same load in a two-wheeler than it would with panniers or a one-wheeled trailer which requires effort to balance. Uneven loads make very little difference with the Nomad. If the bike tips over, it won't take the trailer with it. If you dump your bike or lean it at an odd angle on a hill, the trailer won't stress your frame. If you're aggressively pedaling up a hill, the trailer won't swing back and forth. The trailer takes almost all the weight, further reducing stress on your frame and rear wheel.

- Maneuverability and and off bike: It's really no wider than a pair of well-stuffed rear panniers. I expected to have to constantly worry about tracking a wheel off the road, over potholes, or tracking too close to a rail/post and getting the trailer stuck/flipped. In reality that has not been an issue at all. It tracks over small obstructions often enough, but it's generally barely noticeable, as the attachment arm dampens must of the jarring. I haven't had to adjust my riding style at all. The hitch isn't fussy at all and can be attached with one hand. The trailer itself is easy to move around loaded, and makes a handy cart when off the bike. Mentioned this, but it's also easier to park.

It should be mentioned that while I love the trailer, I can't deny that it pulls down my average speed significantly. Maybe that'll change as I get used to it. More importantly, I don't care. I'm more of the meandering sort of tourist with no need to get anywhere fast. The trailer fits my style very well because despite slowing me down, I actually feel less exhausted late in the day, probably because I'm not having to balance heavy panniers constantly. It's also not truly weatherproof, but that's nothing a tarp around your gear won't fix. I rode for hours in heavy rain, and no significant amount of water got in. I'm still using the big squishy stock tires on the trailer, but I plan on putting something slicker on it.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7Qhx6kBWiH0/Tdf5S7k2KsI/AAAAAAAABTQ/WDPOHACP1DY/s800/P1170996.JPG

I like that. It had never occured to me before but looks like with the trailer packed neatly like a suitcase you don't have to fumble through layers of stuff and then have to repack exactly the way it came out.

Yep. It's more like rummaging a car trunk than anything. There is another, smaller, compartment in the front that isn't shown, with an optional divider between the two. I use the front compartment for damp items, and items that can get wet without it mattering much.

This may seem trivial, but another thing I'm pretty happy about is that lack of dry-bag smell. Ortlieb panniers tend to stink after a lot of use. Clothing coming out of an Ortlieb pannier smell like rubber and whatever odors have been absorbed by the waterproof material. The trailer is not 100% weatherproof, but the upside is that it can breath a bit.

I knew there was something about that picture!

i have a copy of the bob cargo trailer, my fear with it is, it could pop out of the quick release is there a device diy or whatever that will ease my worries.

I've usually used panniers for touring but have sometimes used the Bike Friday trailer system for one-way trips where I wanted to have the suitcase along for packing the bike at one or both ends of the tour. Both work fine, but I prefer to use panniers to reduce the total weight. I try to pack light and keep my camping gear and other touring luggage to about 20 lbs. The trailer adds a substantial amount to this which I prefer to avoid. Might well be different if I were planning on taking 40+ lbs. of touring gear along since then the trailer weight would be a smaller percentage

I Captain a Vision Tandem and went with the BOB trailer for a few reasons.
1. The Vision is a recumbent and space is at a premium.
2. Balance issues on a recumbent...the load is at or above the rider's COG.
3. Gear for 2 is easier to pack on the trailer.
4. I go to the grocery store and SAM's Club with the trailer and do our shopping for the week.

I also have a set of Jandd Expedition panniers on the bike full time now. There were too many times we stopped at the grocery store on our regular rides and wanted to do our shopping.

Best to all
Bob

Bob,,,BOB,,,,I like BOB,,,,,I like pannies too,,,,Use both,,,,last year I had panniers front and rear, BIG ONES, trunk bag and BOB.
Couldn't fill it all.

I just packed for my 1st tour in 20 years:eek: and we have severe rain/thunderstorms predicted for at least the first 2 days of our 4 day trip. I'm looking at the Bob my son borrowed and having one big dry bag is a lot easier than water proofing 4 panniers and and any outside compartments!

I envision I'll envy him at the end of the day when he can haul all his gear into the shelter with one pass. I may not envy him on hills, because a trailer - with heavy dry bag - will almost always work out to more weight that 4 panniers with the extra front rack.

If I fit his bike, may we will change mounts during the ride so we can experience the difference on the same tour - although I am carrying more weight and stuff than him.

Well the BOB trailer did not work out for my son. Long story short, on a downhill the trailer started swaying back and forth on a Vermont downhill. He braked slowly, (right thing to do) but the swaying continued before he could stop and a crash resulted. 5 hours later in the hospital - severe road rash, swollen ankle, luckily he kept his head up and no broken bones. He's light (125 lbs) and I suspect that like a small car pulling a heavy trailer it wasn't a good combination.

Unfortunately it ended his first tour on the 1st day. Mom drove up 3 hours and picked him up so that my friend and I could continue on the tour. It was my first tour in 20 years and bitter sweet to say the least. I did enjoy touring again, but it would have been so much better with my son.

I'm getting him Low Rider front racks -
John

Sorry to hear about your son's accident.

FWIW, an often overlooked issue is speed when puulling trailers. Bobgear, for instance, has a Safety Warning that the speed of the bike/trailer combination should not exceed 25mph. This is fairly easy to do on downhills. I had the same concern with a Mayacycle trailer - a speed induced wobble as speed approached 25mph once, as it approached 30 another time.

Of course, wobbles from poor load balancing can occur with panniers also.

Also, I've found that when braking with any trailer, and I've towed both single and double wheel trailers behind a diamond frame bike, applying the rear brake first and "pulsing it" tends to feel much more "positive" control-wise than applying both brake simultaneously or front brake first (which many people recommend).

Something to consider/be aware of...

IMHO, unless your son weighs less than my GF and what she pulls in her Bob Yak weigh (she -> ~120lbs, her cargo rarely over 35 lbs/plus trailer weight (14-15lbs?)), I'm not sure rider weight is much of a factor in the wobble problem. Otoh, she prefers using front panniers with 5-7 lbs of weight in each when towing a trailer. She says it makes her steering "more posiitive".

Sorry to reply to this so late:

I know you had a problem w/yours, but did you speak w/the company to report it? Since nothing in life is 100%, maybe you got a duff skewer. It'd be a shame not to be able to enjoy your trailer for something that's "fixable" (plus saving others from the same problem). [/I].I was one of the Mayacycle trailer testers, so, um, yeah been there, did that.

I decided to test things for myself.

Last weekend, I loaded the panniers as if going on a two week tour and went around 180 kilometres on Saturday afternoon and evening and Sunday from morning until mid-afternoon. This weekend, I did the same loop, with the same gear, but using a trailer instead. There were two other factors to consider. For this weekend's trip, I had new tires since the old tires were almost completely worn out. Also this weekend, I had a headwind a little worse than last weekend.

The trailer was a Burley cargo trailer.

The panniers keep everything on the bike, but I didn't like the feel of the front panniers. Swapping out the front rack with a lowrider rack may have helped here. I also have noticed a difference in the feel of the bike with panniers, since the positioning of the load can alter the centre of gravity.

The trailer is much easier to load as there is one bag, not four. The centre of gravity on the bike does not change since the load is behind the bike, not on it. Also, while I did not encounter flat tires, it would be much easier to fix a flat on the bike or trailer than on a fully loaded touring bike where some or all the gear would have to be removed.

Right now, I'm interested in the trailer for longer rides or rides where extra gear is required, while panniers seem better when the load is lighter.

Of course that's just my opinion. Others will have different preferences, and that's fine with me.

Bob,,,BOB,,,,I like BOB,,,,,I like pannies too,,,,Use both,,,,last year I had panniers front and rear, BIG ONES, trunk bag and BOB.
Couldn't fill it all.

Slow down there bud. It sounds like you're trying to carry wayyyy too much stuff.