Van or MPV to carry two track bikes

[dern]

What's the smallest MPV/Van I could get two track day bikes in with kit? I'm using the family campervan with a trailer at the minute and while it's ok there's conflicts of what the van needs to be used for which results in my loading and unloading it more than I can be arsed. Also security isn't great when I stop for a brew or have to load up the night before I travel.

Thanks

[weeksy]

Realistically it's got to be Transit/Vito/Trafic sized

[Mussels]

As above, even if an MPV looks big enough they tend to narrow towards the roof (like most cars). A panel van is probably the answer unless you get a box trailer that you can leave kit inside but it's still a theft risk.
I have a box trailer and it's impressive how much you can get in there but mines only big enough for possibly one small bike.

[dern]

I couldn't do a box trailer as I don't have the storage space, I have a motolug at the moment and tear it down and build it up each time I use it which adds to the prep time for a track day. I like the idea of leaving a lot of stuff in the van. I'd have to sell the car just to get the van in the drive.

[cheb]

What weeksy said. I replaced my SWB low roof Transit for a long version Peugeot Partner and it's a real pain getting a bike into it, let alone two.

[Felix]

One of the later vans from the Expert/Scudo/Dispatch range would fit two bikes and kit no problem. Crew cab with the click removable 2nd row of seats would give the man more use when not transporting bikes.

[mangocrazy]

I'd say fro past experience that the minimum size van to get 2 bikes in would be SWB low roof Transit/Transporter/Vito. I once managed to get 3 bikes in the back of a SWB low roof Transit, but it was stupidly tight and I'd never want to do it again. Two v-twins and a 2T, so slim bikes.

[Bigyin]

We have a 2012 Peugeot Boxer van at work thats fitted with 2 bump locks and easily takes 2 bikes with shit loads of additional room. Ours is a high roof model and LWB but a SWB version would be big enough to fit 2 bikes comfortably. Ours is a shittier version of this one with a lot more miles hence wasnt the 8 and a half grand this one is

[Noggin]

I used to have a SWB low roof Transit. I could (on the very rare occasion) sleep in it next to the bike and most of the kit (had to take the spare wheels out and put them under the van for the night) but as it was a race weekend, I wasn't worried about leaving stuff under the van!!

But I did get most of my kit (didn't take tool boxes) and my friends race bike and ALL his kit (LOTS! including tools!) into the Transit one weekend for a Pembrey TD (adding in camping gear for him, sleep stuff to chuck on the floor of the van for me). I was very surprised at just how much fitted into it TBH.

Could be worth looking to see if they do a transit van with a second row of seats in budget - seats in for family stuff, seats out for trackdays?

The Transit also isn't ridiculously high to step up into when pushing the bikes up a ramp. I did used to use a steppy uppy thing (fold down version that lived in the van all the time) but most guys I knew (longer legs) would just step up as they pushed the bike.

[dern]

Could be worth looking to see if they do a transit van with a second row of seats in budget - seats in for family stuff, seats out for trackdays?

I don't need to worry about that as we have a camper van that doubles as the family car and my wife's car too

[Noggin]

Could be worth looking to see if they do a transit van with a second row of seats in budget - seats in for family stuff, seats out for trackdays?

I don't need to worry about that as we have a camper van that doubles as the family car and my wife's car too

I've looked at various things to use to carry a bike (and maybe two after discussions with friends about trackdays over here) and if it's always going to be only one bike, I'd go for something a bit smaller. But I think I'd end up with a Transit again. And if I can, get one with three front seats to give another couple of options!! It's just so versitile - ok, the low roof is a bit of a pain, but not for long each time! and low roof goes int lots of car parks and also (I believe) gets a lower rate on the tolls here

[dern]

After a bit of research and (the most influential factor) measuring the drive I’ve put a deposit down on a 2019 Vivaro with 41k miles on it. It was more than I initially set out to spend but they offered me more for my px than I anticipated and I can’t buy arsed to drive around in sketchy high mileage stuff these days. I also learned about euro 6 and figured it made sense to go that way to stand a chance of keeping any value in it long term.

It’ll be my daily but I never really go anywhere so it’s no bind. It drives much more nicely than the t5 camper we have and feels more powerful despite the 1.6 engine. Really impressive.

Will be ulez compatible or whatever the term is so can get in and out of London to take my daughter to uni as a bonus.

7C72377C-6CCF-44E1-8CAC-F7F3AF6B0844.jpeg (577.84 KiB) Viewed 1586 times

[cheb]

It might sound like an odd thing to notice but the front doors open really wide, it can be a problem on ferries and in strong winds.

[Dodgy69]

After a bit of research and (the most influential factor) measuring the drive I’ve put a deposit down on a 2019 Vivaro with 41k miles on it. It was more than I initially set out to spend but they offered me more for my px than I anticipated and I can’t buy arsed to drive around in sketchy high mileage stuff these days. I also learned about euro 6 and figured it made sense to go that way to stand a chance of keeping any value in it long term.

It’ll be my daily but I never really go anywhere so it’s no bind. It drives much more nicely than the t5 camper we have and feels more powerful despite the 1.6 engine. Really impressive.

Will be ulez compatible or whatever the term is so can get in and out of London to take my daughter to uni as a bonus.


7C72377C-6CCF-44E1-8CAC-F7F3AF6B0844.jpeg

Looks good Dern. Chuck an extra chair in for Bedford please mate, save me carrying one into the Premier inn.

[dern]

Will do

[dern]

Was concerned about loading the bike in the new van but it’s piss easy, actually easier than loading and unloading from the trailer.

Looks like two bikes will go in but given how happy I am with the Kawasaki I’m not sure I’ll bother taking both of them to track days.

Won’t use this for Pembrey though, will take the trailer so I can sleep in the camper van. Three nights in a tent to save me building a trailer makes no sense.

Taking the ply lining out as it’s garbage.

69E014CD-7EA3-4D7A-90CF-87145024962C.jpeg (379.12 KiB) Viewed 1488 times

[weeksy]

Van envy

[mangocrazy]

Was concerned about loading the bike in the new van but it’s piss easy, actually easier than loading and unloading from the trailer.

Agreed - I always start the bike up, stick it in first then slowly drive the bike up the ramp while stood at the side. Hold the brake on while you climb into the van and gently drive it up to the bulkhead (or cross bar in my case).

Looks like two bikes will go in but given how happy I am with the Kawasaki I’m not sure I’ll bother taking both of them to track days.

Two bikes should fit in there quite easily.

Taking the ply lining out as it’s garbage.
69E014CD-7EA3-4D7A-90CF-87145024962C.jpeg

Yeah apart from the floor it just gets in the way. Are there tie down points in the floor that the ply is covering? On my T4 I re-purposed the rear seat belt mounting points (its an ex-AA so had the optional twin rear seat) to do duty as tie-down points. I also had a cross bar fabricated (no bulkhead) that went the full width of the van just behind the driver/passenger seats to stop the bike joining us in the front under enthusiastic braking.

[weeksy]

Was concerned about loading the bike in the new van but it’s piss easy, actually easier than loading and unloading from the trailer.

Agreed - I always start the bike up, stick it in first then slowly drive the bike up the ramp while stood at the side. Hold the brake on while you climb into the van and gently drive it up to the bulkhead (or cross bar in my case).

Looks like two bikes will go in but given how happy I am with the Kawasaki I’m not sure I’ll bother taking both of them to track days.

Two bikes should fit in there quite easily.

Taking the ply lining out as it’s garbage.
69E014CD-7EA3-4D7A-90CF-87145024962C.jpeg

Yeah apart from the floor it just gets in the way. Are there tie down points in the floor that the ply is covering? On my T4 I re-purposed the rear seat belt mounting points (its an ex-AA so had the optional twin rear seat) to do duty as tie-down points. I also had a cross bar fabricated (no bulkhead) that went the full width of the van just behind the driver/passenger seats to stop the bike joining us in the front under enthusiastic braking.

I never ever put in gear. Many do though. But I'm so much a no on that

[Dodgy69]

That's what Weeksy needs, sorted.