Van or MPV to carry two track bikes

[mangocrazy]

A small stool with its height midway between the floor and the van deck makes life much easier. But having two ramps is the gold standard...

I used a milk crate. Then the engine pulled me up

Are you all midgets?

I'm about 5 ft 10, and when loading a bike with bars higher than clip-ons, your hands are up quite high and forward before you pull yourself up onto the van deck to finish off the loading process. I'm definitely going to get myself a step or a milk crate before I do it again. Perhaps your van has a lower deck height than the ones others are using? My old T4 has a load platform height of about 55cm above floor level.

[dern]

I’ll try a step, it might make it even easier.

[Noggin]

I used a milk crate. Then the engine pulled me up

Are you all midgets?

I'm about 5 ft 10, and when loading a bike with bars higher than clip-ons, your hands are up quite high and forward before you pull yourself up onto the van deck to finish off the loading process. I'm definitely going to get myself a step or a milk crate before I do it again. Perhaps your van has a lower deck height than the ones others are using? My old T4 has a load platform height of about 55cm above floor level.

I used a little folding steppie - could keep it bungied to the side behind the rear wheel. Ded handy

[dern]

Did 300 miles in it today and very happy with it. Exceptionally easy to drive, comfortable and pretty economical.

[Mr. Dazzle]

A small stool with its height midway between the floor and the van deck makes life much easier. But having two ramps is the gold standard...

Took me far too long to picture this. I was thinking "how does sitting down next to the van help?"

[mangocrazy]

A small stool with its height midway between the floor and the van deck makes life much easier. But having two ramps is the gold standard...

Took me far too long to picture this. I was thinking "how does sitting down next to the van help?"

You forgot to factor in my hydraulic extendable arms...

[dern]

Snug…

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[dern]

The fact that this goes in so easily means I’ll take it to Salisbury plain a more. It’s only an hour away but an hour there and back on the drz is about the least amount of fun you can have on two wheels imo.

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[dern]

Reorganised the van after the last track day and bolted the chocks to removable 18mm ply panels that slot between the guides. Moved all the hanging space so it didn’t get in the way as much. Should be able to easily carry both bikes and all the kit including gazebo now.

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[dern]

Sleeping solution for over night stays. Surprisingly comfortable.

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[Count Steer]

Q? Do you roll up in a quilt to keep warm in the hammock? There's not much insulation underneath. Always thought they were nice when it's warm but vans can get quite cool at night.

[Dodgy69]

I'd put a mattress underneath it if i was you.

[dern]

Q? Do you roll up in a quilt to keep warm in the hammock? There's not much insulation underneath. Always thought they were nice when it's warm but vans can get quite cool at night.

I need to get something that attaches underneath as anything you sleep in or on compresses and so loses its insulation ability. I haven’t got anything yet, I wanted to prove it would fit and be comfortable before spending any more.

[KungFooBob]

Sleeping a van is ace, especially the bit when your breath condenses on the roof and drips back on your face.

[Count Steer]

Sleeping a van is ace, especially the bit when your breath condenses on the roof and drips back on your face.

The pair of us did a big tour of Scotland in an Escort van umpteen years ago. Couldn't be bothered with pitching the tent one night and tried to kip in the (uninsulated) van. It was like sleeping in the rain.

(Great holiday though, some of the popular bits were still pretty much off-grid...long-life milk and yesterdays papers ).

[dern]

You definitely need some air circulation, that's for sure. I've installed one of those rotary vents in the roof of the van and that draws air from the lower vents. Would be grim without.

[Noggin]

Sleeping a van is ace, especially the bit when your breath condenses on the roof and drips back on your face.

Sleeping a van is ace, especially the bit when your breath condenses on the roof and drips back on your face.

The pair of us did a big tour of Scotland in an Escort van umpteen years ago. Couldn't be bothered with pitching the tent one night and tried to kip in the (uninsulated) van. It was like sleeping in the rain.

(Great holiday though, some of the popular bits were still pretty much off-grid...long-life milk and yesterdays papers ).

You guys must breathe heavily!! I've never had that issue in the/any van!!! I did always leave a window open a bit (do the same at home) so maybe that's it. But I always liked sleeping in the van

Mind you, I did also have a mattress (a topper really) tied to the side of the van - meant that the bike could be tied down to it, leaning to the side of the van. THen, bike out, mattress down and no rain dripping onto me from the roof

[dern]

Fitted some security hook locks to the back doors and the side door over the break. Wish I'd waited until it was warmer as I'd have had more patience and would have read the somewhat ambiguous instructions more closely. Some of the measurements on the instructions were well off though and some rivets were missing. Due to the missing hardware I can't install the deadlocks on the front doors yet but these were the more important. Despite the difficulties and having to use some steelstik in places to tidy up I'm pretty happy with the results.

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[weeksy]

Nice job buddy. You're braver than me.

Was it worth the £80 you saved on fitting

[Mussels]

Looks good but I'd still pay the £80.