I tour with a trailer (now days an Extrawheel Voyager) and sometimes without a trailer. I make my decisions on where I am going, what my needs will be (e.g., carrying water or food for days) and what bike I am using but again in the context of the tour (e.g., if I use my Giant XTC 2 mountain bike it can only accommodate a couple of panniers up front so the Extrawheel becomes the "rear rack" so to speak if needed).

For example my next tour is a ~ two week ride of mainly dirt roads from Esperance to Albany in the south-west of Western Australia. I will just use my Surly Long Haul Trucker with panniers for that ride as I will only need to carry water for two to three days at max.

One thing I don't do is park my bike or trailer in my tent nor would I carry a tent to do so. I much prefer to be more lightweight than heavyweight so for example my tent of choice is a Tarptent Scarp 1. The trailer is there to carry the load, not to add to the load with unnecessary items.

Surly Long Haul Trucker in touring modes ...





Giant XTC 2 in touring modes ....






I used to tour with a BOX Ibex way back when ...



Andrew