Regarding valygrl's input, "long gradual grades" and BOBs don't mix. I am glad she survived. The trailer was very stable until I descended a mountain pass or any long hill. I can only attribute it to the fact that the trailer flexes and there is play between the trailer dropouts and the skewer. Once the trailer starts to oscillate, it's hard to stop it, or the bike, and it continues to get worse until.... I came close to losing control several times and I wasn't anywhere near the 70lb limit. When I encountered a long descent, I either had to go slow or if there wasn't any traffic and I wanted to pick up speed, I would do a moderate swerve back and forth which prevented the oscillation from starting. For those of you who haven't experienced this, I would sure like to know what you are doing different.

Other than that, I loved it. I used it on a tour for the first 8k miles but kept thinking that I would be better off w/ panniers due to less weight (spare tubes, tire, skewer and sealed bearings). I was also going to make a few stops on the way home, via air, and didn't want to deal w/ packing it so traded it in for panniers (they are a PITA to deal w/ at airports). I almost immediately regretted it because I was riding into a headwind and amazed how much drag two front panniers caused. I also started having more spoke problems due to more weight being on the bike. Sorry, I guess I am now debating.

I contacted BOB before the above tour and asked them if I should carry sealed bearings. They said something to the effect that for some customers they lasted only a thousand and for others, they lasted all the way across Russia and beyond. I never had a problem with mine. Also never had a problem with the skewer but know a friend whose failed on his first 2 week tour.