Uh, oh: taildragger vs trigear, you're going to start a fight! (I see I cross-posted with Charlie)
Gunther wrote: I live in a windy, gusty, turbulent and rugged mountainous area in BC. I plan to fly the plane from paved strips . . .
The primary operational advantage of a taildragger is on a rough field (which isn't a factor for you), and the biggest advantage of a trigear is in a crosswind (which you seem to have in abundance). Obviously, there may be other factors in play (you might just prefer the looks of a taildragger), but you've laid out conditions that would seem to favor a trigear.
I own a trigear Sonex. I don't have a lot of hours yet, but have done takeoffs and landings with up to a 12 knot crosswind component and it was comfortable. Under the heading "Crosswind Landings", the Sonex Flight Manual says (in part): " Note: In winds of 17 MPH or above, use extreme caution." I'm sure there are others here who have more experience and can offer useful opinions on crosswind capabilities.
I've never carried fuel in addition to the main tank. At the ASA fly-in at Crossville, TN this year there was one builder who had aux tanks made of aluminum tubes fitted through the lightening holes of the wing ribs. I know another builder has fashioned (and sells?) a flat upright aluminum tank that can be fitted directly behind the seat. And, I have also seen a small (5 gal?) racing-type fuel cell strapped into the passenger seat. The very rugged stock Sonex tank significantly reduces concerns about keeping fuel inside the fuselage, I'd personally want any other tank sharing the passenger compartment to be just as sturdy.
Good luck as you make your decision, let us know how it goes.