I tried that. The load isn't top heavy with the rack and pans setup, but it is if I pack the trailer that way. It sits too high like that. Packing it the way I did makes the load longer and puts some of the load over the tire. Not to mention that waterproof bags large enough to put my sleeping bag and pad in would cost quite a bit more than I have already spent for a short trip. I did however, consider replacing the pad with a standard Ensolite pad to save weight and space. But my old bones rejected that idea after a night sleeping on one.