The way my year is going,not absolutely sure I can get off enough time to commit to an organized tour..Darn it..So I am think of an unsupported tour with some cycling friends..Probably take the train up to San Luis Obispo, Calif.and do some touring of Central California this summer.
Is there any difference between the brands "Bob", "Yakima."And whatever else there is? Any recommendations..
I did not like all that weight about my panniers..Felt like the bike might topple over...One bike trailer owner suggested balance some of the trailer weight by putting a small amount of weight in the front wheel pannier?
ANy suggestions about trailers..What kind..How you like the ride towing a trailer? thanks...

Go with the BoB I've had mine for about 2 yrs and have had no problem. I have a buddy who has a Yak and it's broken at the fork where it hooks up to the bike. He tried to have it fixed by Yakama and they said they are closing out that trailer and not making anymore. The BoBs are tried and true. I have another friend the has used his in alaska and has about 3000 miles on it and it's still in good shape.
check out our journal of a trip we did in san diego before we got touring bikes.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...20040406025843

I am not sure about other trailers but I can tell you that I have a BOB Yak and am very pleased with it. I pull it behind my MTB and my road bike as well as the tandem. It is a very versatile trailer and works well on single tracks and mountain trails. I don't use any panniers on my road bike only a handle bar bag and the bike handles pretty good with all the camping gear etc. in the trailer.
The differance you will feel with a trailer is the "push" on tight corners and down hills. That is the only time I feel the trailer behind. If you are on off road trails you need to use a little more caution on down hills as your stopping distance is effected.
In my three years with the BOB I have had no problems at all except I lost a hitch pin once because I didn't clip it in properly.

Made a snap decision today..I was in Performance in Escondido..The store manager said he had a "BOB." He had problems with the hitch weld also...They had a Yakima on sale with the bag included...Last years model..Been hanging on the wall for awhile...Like 50% off. I bought it..
I went into town on my touring bike. Had to tow it back..22 miles..Felt fine..Had no cornering problems...Going down hills felt no difference...Think I will take it to local beach park on a one day ride to see how it feels under load, before we do a big tour in September, probably...
Think talked some in my local bike group to take train up to San Lusi Obispo and ride about the Central Coast.

What route would you take from San Lysi Obispo?

Now a little unsure..Did my Sataurday ride with my group..They are all talking Northern California in September...Area like Ft. Bragg, Mendocino.
Should we do Central coast..We choose San Luis Obispo as a starting point.. That is where the train would dump us off, coming up from San Diego...
The route would be something like San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay taking Los Osos Valley Rd. to Morro Bay. Then up CA route 1 into the southern end of Big Sur..Possibly turning aroudn at Lucia..(There you almost have to stay in a cabin or else camp by the road, which might be illegal?
Come back 101 to Pismo Bch. and Lompoc and with luck reconnect with the train at Santa Barbara...Hope we can make it that far...Just a guess, 350 miles.