Trailer versus Panniers had been debated through ages ever since the first trailer came out. You'll never get a consensus of why panniers are better than trailer or vice versa. You'll also get people providing comments on trailers that they never owned nor toured for an extended periods of time. You'll also get people commenting that it's dangerous to do off-road touring with a trailer because they saw people crash with it. Well, guess what. I see people crash and loose control with their panniers at Saturna Island in British Columbia going down a 22% grade hill towards the winery. I think if people want to nitpick stuff on the trailer, I can nitpick stuff on panniers too. Crashing and accidents are the cause of the rider. Don't assume all riders have good bike handling skills either the same as some people cross country ski or downhill ski at the various black diamond trails we have in British Columbia. Accidents do happen every year.

Having said that, I had toured extensively with the Bob Yak (when they first came out), Burley Nomad, Leggero Max (P.O.S made) and lately the Travoy and I would have to say that for each trailer, there are always plus and minuses. Do I still tour with panniers. The answer is yes because it really does not make sense to tour light and carry a trailer at the same time. But for trips that require me to carry a laptop, documentary gear and stuff and a suit to a attend a conference, the trailer makes more sense. Perhaps you won't need a trailer and never need to. No system is perfect. Retailers love to just carry just 1 perfect touring setup. But that system does not exist and it never will.