I have been looking at the LHT disc version If you are over 200 lbs I would recommend a upgrade wheels and disc brakes for touring in the states. Velocity chukker rims reported by Peter White (Famous wheel Builder) to be the strongest . . I suggest you read his site . .

I of the opinion that touring bicycles are not made in a factory they are built for the riders use.

Using J and B importers web site products page i was able to put together a group set that addresses all of the faults that the stock disc trucker has ( bad wheels and high gearing) for me. The other issues like handlebar and shifters were handled with Nashbar and Retroshift http://www.retroshift.com/

There was a time when i could order a wheel set from Handspun but it seams that a lot of bike part suppliers have made it so you are required to go to a bike shop to buy parts QBP Quality Bike Parts sends you to a bike shop to order parts . . That is a bummer because you are dealing with a salesman not a parts person