The recs here sound pretty good to me too. +1 on Surly (Disc Trucker), a very stable ride even when loaded unevenly.

I just got done with a long, frustrating, exhausting bike search. That might have been just due to my disposition and the nature of bike riding-and-buying culture in my country (certainly in part, at least!), but I would recommend not thinking too hard about the little details, or stressing about a choice between one model or other. I learned the hard way that if it fits and has the main specs you want (room for cargo, a certain type of brake or drive system), the rest will work out. Even expensive bikes can save one a lot of money over the course of a year or two, which means there will always be money for another bike later.