Looking at partioning off the back of my Transit (high roof) to make a bike garage. Originally settled on 60cm deep to fit two mountain bikes with wheels off, but now thinking about possibility of squeezing my CX bike in there as well. I guess I could go with a 'double decker' with mtbs below and CX suspended above, but this is going to impinge on space for my kit lockers that were also going to go in there. Just wondered if anyone on here has done anything similar in their van(?) if you have, could you let me know what depth you allowed for your bike garage and how many bikes you can get in there please.
TIA
I had a LWB high roof. and could fit loads of bikes with wheels on under the bed. So just make it as high as you need? i.e tallest bike?
just remind me again WTF is a day van 😉
[url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7208/6890903511_142ebba7f5_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7208/6890903511_142ebba7f5_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/buVFxe ]IMG_7588[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikewsmith/ ]Mike Smith[/url], on Flickr
Med high van, required fron wheels off but took 6 bikes.
I'd be looking at some of these
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to hold the front in place and maybe some rear wheel straps, alternate them front to back for better packing.
Yep, I'm sure the inside of our van will end up looking something like the photo
lol I was in the middle of emigrating at the time
Mine is 50cm deep across an extra high top Ducato. Can squeeze 4 bikes in.
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Nice one tomaso! I like the the way you've divided the space.
I'd tried a mock up with old boards in our van to try and get an idea and it was coming in between 50 and 60cm - but trying to balance/hold 3 bikes and two sheets of ply on my own was getting a bit iffy. So, it's really good to hear and see how useable a 50cm space is (I'm guessing you might take some pedals off to squeeze four bikes in?)
Surely half the point of having a van is not needing to remove wheels/disassemble bikes for transport...
Is there no efficient way to make space length-ways (say under a raised cabin bed or bench) for a couple of bikes to fit wheels on...
What make is the bolt through mount Mike?
Just been rummaging in the garage and found some of the fork retainer things from a previous van....jobs a good 'un
just google 15mm roof rack fork mount etc.
How you divide and use space in a van is a compromise. Ideally I'd have planks on drawer runners with axle clamps and the bikes would just glide under the beds. But we have beds for 4 and something has to give.
I can get two bikes in bottom with just front wheels off and bars turned 90 degrees. There are the old tie down mounts from when the van was just a panel van, screwed into the backboard as bungee tie downs.
The top shelf fits my very big XL Reign with both wheels off, but my daughters Cube fits with just the front wheel off. If I'd not built the middle shelf there would've been lots more room.
I use foam underlay sheets between frames to stop rubbing.
I have seen some really neat systems at races and events and if you do take the pedals off you can use considerably less depth. But that would be a ball ache for me.
I've got a towbar rack too if the boot is full of camping anf canoeing gear. But my MTB still goes inside as I have been robbed too many times.
I would recommend fixing some noggins and a bit of ply to experiment with how much space you need.
cookeaa - MemberSurely half the point of having a van is not needing to remove wheels/disassemble bikes for transport...
My thoughts exactly, unless it's a small camper instead. For a day van I just want to be able to get changed inside, when the weather's horrid, and have the bikes in/out and ready to go in seconds
I'm more concerned about that unsecured bottle of ale, that's gonna go over at the first roundabout.
I have neutralised the situation.
Phew 🙂
Should explain that the van is only going to be a day van until I have the funds and time to convert the main space into a basic camper - hence, reason for compact bike garage. Idea is that, once the OH and I are both semi-retired (hopefully within next 5 years) we're going to do some touring around Europe with a mix of camping and B&Bing .....if they let us in of course
Have a look here [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/family-friendly-bike-carrying-camper-build ]stw family bike camper[/url]
[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/family-camper-bike-van-aka-6-months-of-not-riding-or-anything-else ]my build thread[/url]