Bike carrying van
Discussion
Any recommendations for a van to carry 3 full-size adult mountain bikes?
I've currently got an SWB T4 Kombi that just about takes the bikes but it does require the front wheels removing - whilst this isn't a massive issue in itself, the van is now 18 years old and not the quietest, nor the most comfortable for long trips - having re-discovered mountain biking this year, we've plans to head to various places around the country, in some cases these will be 6-8 hours each way. I'm planning on doing some shopping around next weekend, but looking to shortlist a few beforehand.
Budget is going to be around 10k, with the only stipulation is that it must have factory fitted rear seats, ideally the bikes (2 * 29'ers and a Cube Stereo eBike) would go in without having to remove any bits.
I've currently got an SWB T4 Kombi that just about takes the bikes but it does require the front wheels removing - whilst this isn't a massive issue in itself, the van is now 18 years old and not the quietest, nor the most comfortable for long trips - having re-discovered mountain biking this year, we've plans to head to various places around the country, in some cases these will be 6-8 hours each way. I'm planning on doing some shopping around next weekend, but looking to shortlist a few beforehand.
Budget is going to be around 10k, with the only stipulation is that it must have factory fitted rear seats, ideally the bikes (2 * 29'ers and a Cube Stereo eBike) would go in without having to remove any bits.
Hi I run a Merc Vito 116 Sport LWB which has 5 seats, When carrying three e-bikes and three people on board we still have to take front wheels off.
It does cruise in comfort with no problem, set the cruise control motor along. Its been remapped to 200bhp but fuel economy is still good.
It does cruise in comfort with no problem, set the cruise control motor along. Its been remapped to 200bhp but fuel economy is still good.
Ive got a Ford Connect Tourneo , probably too small for you, they start in budget. I can go away with 3 kids and partner and fit my road bike in the back with wheels on along with everything else , when I take 3 x MTBS I use a bike rack , as they are usually filthy anyway. On the SWB version you can take out the rear seats to turn into a full van. On the lwb version you can only take 3rd row seats out the l/
On the plus side they are great on the motorway , good equipment (cruise, bluetooth etc) 55mpg is attainable , mine even had a bit of Ford Warranty left, when the best transporter I could get was 10+ years old. In an ideal world id like a transporter but I didnt want to pay 12K for a tired van that a man put the rear seats in himself in his shed.
They are also considered a car, so my insurance was only £300 instead of £700 that insurers wanted for a van . They are also easy to live with when used daily as its pretty much a van built on an old model focus.
Probably not ideal for you but worth considering if you want value and car features
On the plus side they are great on the motorway , good equipment (cruise, bluetooth etc) 55mpg is attainable , mine even had a bit of Ford Warranty left, when the best transporter I could get was 10+ years old. In an ideal world id like a transporter but I didnt want to pay 12K for a tired van that a man put the rear seats in himself in his shed.
They are also considered a car, so my insurance was only £300 instead of £700 that insurers wanted for a van . They are also easy to live with when used daily as its pretty much a van built on an old model focus.
Probably not ideal for you but worth considering if you want value and car features
Get a Ducato.
Iveco motors, good on fuel, drive well, and decent equipment. For the money, very little touches them, you could get a 5 year old one for c.£6k. Better on rust than the mercs too, particularly the coloured ones, silver, black etc, use better primer.
All the "Sevel" vans are smilar equipment wise, but the fiat motors are generally better, less problematic. But still need to buy a decent one, as with any vans, they can get abused.
L3 H2 is a big van, L4 H3 the biggest. H2 (height) is like 1.9m height in the back, so you can stand up easy, makes loading a piece of pooo. An L3 is about 3.7m in the back, but surprising how much space 29ers can take up! L2 will be about 3.3 m in the back. I made a rack up out of 3x Thule roof carriers on a removable wooden base, that just sits in the back, bikes easy to load up, takes a couple of mins max. Room then to carry all your kit, tools, pressure washers things like that.
Iveco motors, good on fuel, drive well, and decent equipment. For the money, very little touches them, you could get a 5 year old one for c.£6k. Better on rust than the mercs too, particularly the coloured ones, silver, black etc, use better primer.
All the "Sevel" vans are smilar equipment wise, but the fiat motors are generally better, less problematic. But still need to buy a decent one, as with any vans, they can get abused.
L3 H2 is a big van, L4 H3 the biggest. H2 (height) is like 1.9m height in the back, so you can stand up easy, makes loading a piece of pooo. An L3 is about 3.7m in the back, but surprising how much space 29ers can take up! L2 will be about 3.3 m in the back. I made a rack up out of 3x Thule roof carriers on a removable wooden base, that just sits in the back, bikes easy to load up, takes a couple of mins max. Room then to carry all your kit, tools, pressure washers things like that.
Thank you all for the feedback (shame there is no individual thanks button!)
I'm going to have a look at a Merc and a Connect at the weekend, along with an i800 - much as I'd like another VW (I'm a bit of a brand tart) for our budget we're probably looking at starship mileage.
Ducato is a good shout, we have a 2015 Ducato based motorhome but hadn't considered them, I'll have to see if I can find a reasonable LWB crew cab
At the moment, the Merc is looking favourite; I like the idea of a good level of driver and passenger refinement for long trips
I'm going to have a look at a Merc and a Connect at the weekend, along with an i800 - much as I'd like another VW (I'm a bit of a brand tart) for our budget we're probably looking at starship mileage.
Ducato is a good shout, we have a 2015 Ducato based motorhome but hadn't considered them, I'll have to see if I can find a reasonable LWB crew cab
At the moment, the Merc is looking favourite; I like the idea of a good level of driver and passenger refinement for long trips
vaguelyfamiliar said:
Thank you all for the feedback (shame there is no individual thanks button!)
Ducato is a good shout, we have a 2015 Ducato based motorhome but hadn't considered them, I'll have to see if I can find a reasonable LWB crew cab
HTC have brand new Ducato crew cabs in silver for £19600 + Vat! Compare that to a VW or Merc!! Ducato is a good shout, we have a 2015 Ducato based motorhome but hadn't considered them, I'll have to see if I can find a reasonable LWB crew cab
Almost worth seeing how much you could get one on a PCP!
hkp57 said:
Hi I run a Merc Vito 116 Sport LWB which has 5 seats, When carrying three e-bikes and three people on board we still have to take front wheels off.
It does cruise in comfort with no problem, set the cruise control motor along. Its been remapped to 200bhp but fuel economy is still good.
I just came here to recommend a Vito as well. Mine is a 55 player Traveliner, with 5 seats. I’ve removed one and then moved the remaining two to the right, so I can slot two bikes in the space that remains, bungeed to the middle headrest. Another can go in reverse on the other side, bungeed from saddle to middle headrest.It does cruise in comfort with no problem, set the cruise control motor along. Its been remapped to 200bhp but fuel economy is still good.
The 4 seats is a perfect compromise, although I’d prefer to keep just a single seat in the back. Sadly the configuration doesn’t permit that as only the pair has that capability.
It’s also long enough to sleep in, which makes driving to a trailhead after work on Friday for a dawn start on the Saturday easy.
I have a Transit Connect LWB 2015 5 seater. with the 3 seats in the back.
They fold down flat (60/40 split) and can take 3 bikes with a bit of faff with wheels on, or easy with front wheels off.
I have had 3 bikes and 3 adults in easy
42mpg because i don't drive at all frugally, but it is a great drive, and I've added some soundproofing so its pretty quiet too.
plenty cheaper than the VWs for a better van imo
They fold down flat (60/40 split) and can take 3 bikes with a bit of faff with wheels on, or easy with front wheels off.
I have had 3 bikes and 3 adults in easy
42mpg because i don't drive at all frugally, but it is a great drive, and I've added some soundproofing so its pretty quiet too.
plenty cheaper than the VWs for a better van imo
Does it need to be a van?
Left field choice, but the best mountain biking transport vehicle is a pickup - can comfortably fit loads of bikes, wheels on + kit without having to shoehorn things through doors, scratching bikes and van to death - granted, the bikes are more exposed, but they are bikes, does that matter? Plus, most pickups will be far comfier than most vans for sitting in.
Get a pad for the tail like the below and away you go.
Left field choice, but the best mountain biking transport vehicle is a pickup - can comfortably fit loads of bikes, wheels on + kit without having to shoehorn things through doors, scratching bikes and van to death - granted, the bikes are more exposed, but they are bikes, does that matter? Plus, most pickups will be far comfier than most vans for sitting in.
Get a pad for the tail like the below and away you go.
I do like the idea of a pickup - I quite fancy a Ford Ranger WildTrak - but I'd be paranoid some scrote would have the bikes away whilst we were stopped at services. I also need to occasionally chuck a KTM 250 and associated gubbins for two riders in the back, I can pretty much guarantee I'm so cack handed the KTM would end up through the rear window at some point 
Parsnip said:
Does it need to be a van?
Left field choice, but the best mountain biking transport vehicle is a pickup - can comfortably fit loads of bikes, wheels on + kit without having to shoehorn things through doors, scratching bikes and van to death - granted, the bikes are more exposed, but they are bikes, does that matter? Plus, most pickups will be far comfier than most vans for sitting in.
Get a pad for the tail like the below and away you go.
Left field choice, but the best mountain biking transport vehicle is a pickup - can comfortably fit loads of bikes, wheels on + kit without having to shoehorn things through doors, scratching bikes and van to death - granted, the bikes are more exposed, but they are bikes, does that matter? Plus, most pickups will be far comfier than most vans for sitting in.
Get a pad for the tail like the below and away you go.
I used to drive a Ford Ranger Wildrtrack, they are great vehicles, but I found them very small inside for the size of the vehicle and the back seats were probably the most uncomfortable ive ever had to travel in , even a Daiwoo Matiz was more comfy. I found the load bay great for filthy outdoors stuff that had no value to being nicked, but difficult to secure. They were great on byways and fields and great to tow I bet.
Swings and roundabouts really
Swings and roundabouts really
As above really, whilst I'd love a pickup, I'm worried about some scrote having them away whilst we are stopped for lunch - at least inside the van, it's not immediately obvious what's inside. We have had them locked to a bike rack on the motorhome in the past, but these have generally been fairly cheap bikes and not such a big target. As we've got more into it, the value of the kit has progressed into the tens of thousands so any opportunity to keep stuff away from prying eyes.
An additional concern is the weight - bike racks are generally rated to around 60kg (at least the flamma we have at present is), and with 2 electric mountain bikes at almost 30kg each we aren't able to get everything on anyway
An additional concern is the weight - bike racks are generally rated to around 60kg (at least the flamma we have at present is), and with 2 electric mountain bikes at almost 30kg each we aren't able to get everything on anyway
biggiles said:
Out of interest, why do they need to go inside the van?
We carry four bikes on the back of our VW LWB T5 easily enough.
We carry four bikes on the back of our VW LWB T5 easily enough.
vaguelyfamiliar said:
Thank you all for the feedback (shame there is no individual thanks button!)
I'm going to have a look at ……..., along with an i800 - much as I'd like another VW (I'm a bit of a brand tart) for our budget we're probably looking at starship mileage.
We had an i800 as a hire car in South Africa last year. Was a great van, with brilliant headlights.I'm going to have a look at ……..., along with an i800 - much as I'd like another VW (I'm a bit of a brand tart) for our budget we're probably looking at starship mileage.
Ours was a 7 seater, did you manage to see if the back row of seats could be removed?
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