B.O.B. trailers

[fredkollmann]

Could anyone comment on the advantages and disadvantages on using a B.O.B ibex trailer verses using panniers. I will be doing the transamerica trial (self supported) the summer of 2009.

[staehpj1]

First let me say either can work.

Next let me add that this has been discussed to death on many forums.  A search on Bike Forums or the Crazy Guy on a Bike forums will turn up a ton of conflicting opinions.

My personal opinion is that weight makes panniers the preferred choice, but if you pick really heavy racks and panniers you can negate the advantage.  On the other hand if you want to use a road bike, the trailer allows that and also helps make the weight more equal between the two choices.

On the Trans America we saw more panniers than trailers, but there were plenty of both.

[Westinghouse]

I have read many journals from crazyguyonabike.com. Trailers seem to be the choice of carriage for many cyclists. If you go with the BOB you will most likely be satisfied with it.

My own point of view is somewhat different. I read that occasionally the connection to the bike might break or have some other problem. A trailer means one or two more wheels and tubes and tires of smaller size. You might need to carry an extra tire and tube or two. You will also be pulling the extra weight of the trailer itself. Then there is the extra length, and lifting up over curbs when necessary. In my opinion, using a trailer adds weight, and it adds more moving parts and a connection that could break or go wrong. Not only that, it costs extra to do what can done for much less with racks and panniers. Of course, I already have racks and panniers, so the way I see it is this. Why buy a trailer?

All that said, if you use a trailer you should have a perfectly good time with it.

This message was edited by Westinghouse on 10-25-08 @ 9:12 AM

[wroseweir]

My 2 cents, i used a bob, non suspension on my forst ride, 1500 miles, seattel to san diego, with no training, and the trailer rocked, not one puncture, downhills was aquirly above 40, as i had front shocks, the smooth tracking and rolling ( i had tri bars for the aero position), and easey towing made me happy on my decison to go with the trailer vs panniers.

[cyclesafe]

It simply doesn't matter which you choose.  I know that this statement is hard to swallow.

However, if your bike does not have braze ons for racks, you'll need a trailer.  If you're frame is made of carbon fiber, you'll need a trailer.

I've used both for thousands of miles and I prefer racks and panniers simply because my rig is more compact.  You should peruse the pros and cons listed elsewhere, but there are only the two definitive factors listed above.

This message was edited by cyclesafe on 10-27-08 @ 7:31 AM

[scott.laughlin]

My stoker and I pulled a BOB to Grand Canyon.  We were too heavy and the weight wagging behind us was not a happy experience.  

Eventually, we learned to bring only what we needed and do so with panniers.

[whittierider]

and the weight wagging behind us was not a happy experience.

That will always be a problem with any design that puts the back-and-forth pivoting behind the rear axle like the BOB does instead of at the rear axle like the Burley Nomad does it.  Of course the latter normally requires a two-wheeled trailer, which may be undersirable for a different reason to some people.  My wife and I once pulled a Burley with about 50 pounds and we couldn't even tell it was there.  It was way better for handling than any of the times I've had even 25 pounds on the bike itself.

This message was edited by whittierider on 10-27-08 @ 4:47 PM

[Peaks]

Part of your answer depends on what type of bike are you using.  Loaded touring in panniers puts a lot of extra weight on your bike, and if you have a light road bike, it's going to wear out things faster.  

If I had a touring bike, I'd probably use panniers.  I don't, so that's part of the reason why I use a trailer.

[driftlessregion]

As you see, this topic has many experiences and opinions. I pull a BOB Yak and like the person who doesn't notice the Burley, my BOB tracks so nicely that I forget it is back there except when standing.  My lifetime high speed is with the BOB.
My question is if you're doing the TransAm route why bother with the extra weight of the shocks on the Ibex unless you're going to be off road.

[bobbirob22]

i too was once stumbled by the pondering question trailer or panniers. i have used both. both have their ups and downs but on recent camping trips i decided that for clothes, sleeping mat, food, water, tent, blanket or sleeping bag, tools and spare tubes, and of course beer (and a cooler to stuff it all in) i found that either a trailer or panniers didnt have enough room so i simply decided to use both trailer and panniers. went on my first trip with both last week on a 3 day camp trip but i loaded up like i would in a tour and handling was ok i had everthing i needed and enjoyed my trip to the fullest. of course one may argue that you dont need that much stuff which may be true for some but i like to live with a little comfort every now and then and bring along the cooler. it just takes more space so trailer and pannier combination work well for me.

however if you only require the minimum and are travelling only on road then i would suggest you go with panniers.
if you plan to be off road most or part of the time i would go with a trailer.

ROBERT

[Tourista829]

I like both but for different reasons.
Trailer
Pluses: takes the weight off the rear wheel and can carry longer items. Less flats
Minuses: weight sensitive, stability on decents, single wheeled tip when parked, increased length
Panniers
Pluses: All items near me (security) items easier to retrieve, easier to travel with on trains, planes or motels.
Minuses: Heal clearance, if bike doesn't have eyelets, larger items, broken attachment

[johnsondasw]

Try a Burley Nomad.  With a carbon bike and the lack of pannier weight, the weight issue is about a wash.  I've toured for 30 years with panniers and the nomad (the past couple of years) and will now stick with the trailer for handling and convenience.  It tracks very well and is so much easier to load and find stuff in. 
This is an endless discussion and the only way to resolve it is to try different ways and decide for yourself as to your preference. 

[epza]

I had traveled with my friend and I felt sorry for him when  we were riding against the wind during our trip from Magdalene Islands to  East of Canada
His panniers  like a parachutes   where slowing him down .I was with my B.O.B  flying .
Its rolling behind ,even if heavy no different with speed
Packing for flight easy and disadvantage is to park it .Long and bends without asking

[mucknort]

I prefer a 2 wheel trailer over 1 wheel cuz trailer carries most weight, not your rear axle. People have been mentioning Burley Nomad (which is a fine trailer) but I prefer Quik-Pak: http://www.quik-pak.com/
and I like this company for trailers: http://www.biketrailershop.com/

[mushypea]

Hi there,

I will be more than happy to let you know how both systems fair.  I usually run a pair of rear pannier bags on an Old Man Mountain rack when riding off road.  This has done me fine for solo unsupported rides in Tibet and Mongolia.  However, this March I'll be riding 2,500km across the Australian Outback and need to be self sufficient for water.  I'll be carrying front and rear panniers, plus loading the Ibex up with around 40 litres of water.  Gonna be a heavy bike!

I only just logged on to this forum, if I can find out how to upload photos I will

mp