I am in the planning stages of a journey across the U.S. I have done several ultra light tours but nothig longer than 600 miles or seven days. In each case I carried 8 lbs of gear, some water and a credit card.

This is will be my first self contained tour, and I estimate it will be about 3600 miles and will require about 70 days. I plan on carrying no more than 40 lbs, and that would make the total load (bike, gear and me) at 270 lbs. I have never used panniers or a trailer. I plan on camping roughly half of the nights and exercising the credit card the rest of the time. I foresee little or no off-roading, but I would like to take the Katy and similiar trails.

My current decision is whether to carry my gear in four panniers or on a trailer. I will carry a small handlebar bag either way. If I go with the trailer option-which one?

The Extrawheel is the Lightest It will take a pair of Panniers where if you use a road bike the short chainstays will, have you kicking the Bags pedaling.
And you can use another Front wheel like your bike uses ,
+(the wheel can have a dynohub* in it, to run one of those USB trickle charge things to top up a Battery to recharge your Toys. *even a second one of those)


Then again Burly Nomad is 1 big nylon Bag in a frame with 2 wheels , https://www.biketrailershop.com/burl...er-p-1310.html

the flat bed a open space you can lay a Backpack in if you Like .. https://www.biketrailershop.com/burl...er-p-1304.html

In my Burly flat Bed I can use A Cascades Designs Portage Pack .. is a DryBag with shoulder straps (canoes get carried overhead, and the gear goes on the Paddler's Back)

Nomad you can just toss the tent and Bag inside in the morning and get on the road Quick .

Nicer NL made ..
https://www.biketrailershop.com/radi...er-p-2014.html





Modifying a Yard sale Kid trailer is always Possible, and probably the cheapest ..


Nowthe Pannier fans can chime in , Their more expensive Roller Plus fabric Ortlieb Dry Panniers are the Lightest.
https://www.bikebagshop.com/ortlieb-...14-p-1006.html .. https://www.bikebagshop.com/ortlieb-...14-p-1008.html
Tubus also Makes racks in Titanium if you want to shave weight there..