Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,727
Likes: 2,105
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
Racks and panniers - I think the biggest problem is the panniers falling off the racks when you hit the big bumps. Some panniers that just hang from hooks are more likely to fall off than those that have a locking mechanism like Ortliebs. I have some cheap panniers that just hang from hooks that also have a velcro strap to wrap around the rack between the hooks, the strap is intended to keep the pannier from being launched.
Some manufacturers that rate their racks for weight cut the rating in half for rough off road use.