The Right bike for the job
 

going to be taking my first bike tour down the coast of California with my 65 lb dog. Any tip and advice on what type of bike i should use as well as some sort of trailer for my dog? Budget for the bike is sadly around 800

I have a Walmart schwinn trailer that I really like...it was something like $150. It is reasonably light (aluminum frame) and has 20" wheels. It has a "trunk" area where you could store some of your stuff and there's plenty of room for a dog inside. You might want to make sure the floor is comfortable for the dog to lay across - on top of your sleeping bag and pillow maybe?

If I was dragging a 65 lb dog up a hill, I would look for looooow gearing - like 22 or 24 small ring on a triple and 30+ tooth big cog in the back. Any bike that can hold a couple of racks, fits you and is comfortable will work. It doesn't have to be expensive - just comfortable and properly prepped. Make sure the hubs and crank are adequately greased. I would look for a 90's mountain bike and put slick tires on it...and maybe some bar ends to give yourself a couple different hand positions.

+1 to 90's mountain bike. The steel ones are built tough, almost all have rack mounts, and good components can be had for cheap. My girlfriend's early 90's Kona Cinder Cone was $200 for Shimano XT everything.

My vote goes to a solid 90s steel MTB off craigslist.

My commuter price tag:
Bike 60$
Tire 40$
Rack 20$
Lights 20$
Plastic lining 10$
Tubes 10$

160$ For a reliable Chromoly lugged steel beauty.

As above, I can't see paying more than $200 for an 80s or 90s steel frame bike on the local used market (depends on where you live, probably), then another $200 max to repair and upgrade it to my tastes and needs, including excellent new tires for a tour. Can't help with the trailer, but best of luck touring with your dog--some friends do that on their tandem and they all love it, including the dog.

Agree a mountain bike with a very low range for the extra weight.

I'd suggest that with whatever trailer you buy, add a solid floor. Maybe a thin piece of plywood or something. There's a good chance the nylon stretched across the bottom of the trailer will tear and/or wear if you don't.

If going with a vintage mtb for touring, I'd swap out the existing bars for trekking bars. It's an inexpensive conversion since the shifters and brake levers will work on a trekking bar. The trekking bar gives you the advantage of multiple hand positions in, IMHO, works better than bar ends and the like.