Trailers Vs. Panniers - Prudhoe Bay to Tierra Del Puergo

[Fanwaar]

I'll be setting off on a 15 month trip from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska in July. I'd always figured i'd be using just panniers, now i'm thinking of using a trailer. Does anyone have any advice on the pros and cons of the two options for this route? I'm still leaning away from a trailer (more to go wrong).

[Westinghouse]

I'll be setting off on a 15 month trip from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska in July. I'd always figured i'd be using just panniers, now i'm thinking of using a trailer. Does anyone have any advice on the pros and cons of the two options for this route? I'm still leaning away from a trailer (more to go wrong).

I am in favor of panniers for the reason you mentioned, and others.

[bar_end_shift]

wondering the same thing.

here's a link from an EXCELLENT blog on the arctic to TDF experience.  http://www.hobobiker.com/node/4227#comments

happy planning

[paddleboy17]

As long as you are going to be doing single track, my preferences would be a trailer also.   I would think that your route would be wide enough to let you do either.  If there are sections of narrow trail, the trailer would have the edge as your bike will have a narrower envelope.


I am a notorious trailer bigot, and there are existing threads about trailers versus panniers that you should read.

[mucknort]

The advantages I've found with a trailer include:
-less wind resistance, handling issues when you have cross winds
-your bike handles much more like an unloaded bike, especially with emergency manuevers
-much less wear and tear on your bike/wheels/tires, especially when using a 2 wheel trailer which carries most of the weight. 1 wheel trailers still place much of the tongue weight on your bike
-once at the camp spot, easy to just disconnect the trailer and then you have a "luggage free" bike to cruise around on
-when you put good quality/high pressure tires on a trailer, you don't notice it that much

my trailers of choice and experience are the quik-pak:
http://www.quik-pak.com/
http://www.biketrailershop.com/catalog/625-quikpak-trailer-p-315.html

and Burley Nomad:
http://www.burley.com/products/adventure/nomad.cfm
http://www.biketrailershop.com/catalog/500-burley-nomad-wsetup-options-p-151.html

[Fanwaar]

Thanks guys. This is really useful stuff. It sounds as if there is more support in the trailer camp than i expected.
I like the idea of a trailer, i've just got to persuade myself it's worth adding to the equipment list!

Let the research continue....

[staehpj1]

It is personal preference and either can work.  I bought a trailer, used it for one trip, hung it on the wall for a year, sold it.

I am of the opinion that weight is very important and that I can go lighter with panniers.  Then again if you select the heaviest racks and panniers a trailer can be lighter.  I am also of the opinion that flying with or shipping an trailer is a extra hassle.

I do wonder about going light by using a light bike and the extrawheel voyager.  It seems like an interesting option and would allow the weight and shipping issues to be optimized.

[driftlessregion]

I don't buy the argument that there is more to go wrong with a trailer.   A trailer drags behind you with very little force on the bike. Racks and panniers have all the weight on the frame which to me would seem like the bike itself would be more prone to problems. One thing to be careful of with trailers is that the wheel is not high quality and will need grease more often than the bike wheels. The tire wears more quickly because it has more revolutions per mile than a 700C tire.

[johnsondasw]

I vote for the trailer for convenience and riding characteristics reasons.  The eternal discussion continues!

[Westinghouse]

I was seriously considering the same trip you are talking about, or at least a similar one. I would have used panniers. I already have panniers, faded and worn as they are, and I did not want to spend money for a function I already had equipment for. Panniers or a trailer, panniers and a trailer, either way, it should be OK. Don't worry about it. Just do the trip. Keep a excellent record of it in photographs and writing.

[Fanwaar]

I think my mind has been made up for me. An old friend/arch enemy has returned... patella tendinopathy... i won't be able to train for probably 2-3 months and will probably put my trip back 4 or 5 months and do it the other way. Setting out from Tierra Del Puergo and travelling north brings a whole world of wind issues... headwind + panniers = a world of pain (even if it is good pain)!!! Bring on the BOB...

With a mountaineering background that has taught me the invaluable benefit of carrying as little weight as possible its a hard decision to add extra equipment. However, the same experience has taught me that this has to be balanced against the essential benefits of the correct equipment. As there is no 'correct equipment' in this case the objective approach would be stick with panniers... shame life's not that simple!!!

[RussSeaton]

On the Adventure Cyling website they have articles about ultra light mountain bike touring.  Everything carried in a big seatbag or seatpost rack bag.  Light and minimal.  And they are camping out and cooking too.

[jsieber]

On the Adventure Cyling website they have articles about ultra light mountain bike touring.  Everything carried in a big seatbag or seatpost rack bag.  Light and minimal.  And they are camping out and cooking too.

Here is a direct link to this article:
http://www.adventurecycling.org/features/ultralight.cfm

[janetanorth]

i live in fairbanks and have spent a lot of time on the dalton highway. i have toured with a BOB in the past, and wouldn't dream of taking a trailer on this part of your route. i have an FAQ at: www.crazyguyonabike.com/janetanorth with a page on my dalton trips.
and i would be happy to send you more photos of the road conditions you will encounter here. after fairbanks a trailer is fine.
regards-janet

[Successor to the Professor]

If you land your decision on a trailer, I'm going to go ahead and cast my vote for the Burley Nomad.  Two wheels are harder to maneuver in tight spaces, but it's super light weight, and breaks down to easily fit in a duffel bag. 

While touring in Peru, I rode with panniers while my partner toured with a Burley. I have since ordered a Burley.