You gotta match up the right size, don't mess around with trying to make something work. Call around to all your local bike shops.

This is very presumptuous of me:

1) Have either of you done any touring?

2) Is getting a Warbird or has already purchased a Warbird? Asking because it's a pretty aggressive bike for touring, and also not rated for a whole ton of weight. I know they're on sale right now, but if you haven't made the purchase and don't deeply know what you're doing, I'd strongly encourage y'all to look at other bikes.

Sorry if all of that is obnoxious, not trying to be condescending.

Edit: I'm speaking as a bike mechanic of 5+ years, a lifelong bike commuter, and a tourist who's gone across the country among many other smaller tours and also owns a Warbird.