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.