Originally Posted by patc
I did have to replace the dirt cheap rear wheel that came with the bike, but in addition to the trailer I often have full pannier bags, and/or a heavy back-pack, and/or stuff bungeed to the rack. The current rear wheel has been there almost two years, cost me about $70CAD, and has been trouble-free.
If you got 2 trouble-free years out of that wheel, you are very fortunate. I normally carry 10-15 pounds on my rack about 60 miles a week and I've been through 3 wheels in the last year. I finally broke down and got my own truing stand and tension meter. Every couple of months, I have to re-true the real wheel.
One thing about the trailer though is that it should not be as hard on spokes. I think it would harder on the hub...