Have a look at the Adventure cycling site.
Type in "how to choose a touring bike" in their search box.
You'll get lots of results.
Just because your bike is a 44 doesn't mean that's the size you'll need from another manufacturer. I'm 5'2" and the 47cm Jamis fits me great.
It all depends on the geometry.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/foru...e;topic=4985.0


http://www.adventurecycling.org/feat...fortheroad.cfm

http://blog.adventurecycling.org/200...l-trucker.html