I'd suggest minor changes to this load configuration.

First, make sure the weakest rider is carrying something necessary, even if it's relatively small or light. Otherwise, that rider may feel like he or she is not contributing to the good of the tour.

Second, give the middle rider two panniers, not just one. Load balance is important to me and with one pannier, the load does not balance very well. Stability is better with two. It's okay to have two panniers each half-full.

I've used both at different times. In the past, we found the Bob Trailer worked best when we were on self contained camping tours. Before the trailer, my bike was pretty top heavy with the tent and sleeping bag on top of the rear rack. Now that we have the tandem, we will be using a two wheel trailer because our older Bob trailer's fork isn't wide enough for the Mocha. And because there are two of us, we have less pannier "space" making the trailer even more attractive.

Have you managed to avoid oversize baggage charges? If so how many times? If I remember correctly the LxWxH is well over 62 inches even with the wheel and yoke removed. Can someone verify that? If I am correct, I can see it possibly being allowed by some baggage agents, but it doesn't seem like a sure thing. I would expect to get hit with a $50 oversize charge at least some of the time.

Pete,

Depending on how high I've stuffed the bag it measures 37"+ 17"+ 12"= 66" at the widest locations including protruding dropouts. Deduct the 8" dropouts and it totals 58". If I compress the bag height down to the top of the 11" high trailer frame that's 65" including dropouts, 57" without.

Maybe I've been lucky. I haven't counted trips but around 15 years worth, most recently OR to VA on Alaska/Delta. Before that on a commuter flight from Portland, ME to Syracuse, NY, and flights from Portland, OR to Boston and Boston to Missoula.

I've recently gone back to panniers to lighten the load and avoid the temptation to carry a gallon of fuel! (See "What have you picked up..." thread).

One can always pack the parts separately with the bicycle to shave a few pounds or reduce volume. I guess my point is that if you're flying with a BOB it is not an inconvenience and probably does not need to be shipped in a box. Packaged as posted above it can be carried to baggage check by it's bag handles with the ease of a suitcase. The agent will likely see it as a large duffel bag with a strange frame around it. If one gets charged extra for a few inches of dropouts so be it. You'd be paying that for sure if you boxed it up.

I haven't read the fine print on every carriers policy. I suppose a ticket agent somewhere might insist on a box but this has never happened to me.

Thanks for the follow up.

The other two riders have done the GAP/C&O twice, once eastbound and once westbound in 7 days carrying all their gear. This trip will be a GAP/C&O boomerang in 10 days. They are both OK with having little or no gear on their bikes since this ride will surely challenge them.

I've done a lot of commuting using only one pannier and I don't think it affects bike handling that much. YMMV