Legal for cargo to extend into 'cab' area of a RAV4?

[Deisel Weisel]

If I were to transport a motorcycle, inside a 3 door RAV4 (all seats except drivers removed), would I be breaking any laws by having the bike extending into where the front passenger’s seat would be?

3 door RAV4 with red line where motorcycle would sit.

[Gavia]

Deisel Weisel said:

If I were to transport a motorcycle, inside a 3 door RAV4 (all seats except drivers removed), would I be breaking any laws by having the bike extending into where the front passenger’s seat would be?

3 door RAV4 with red line where motorcycle would sit.

Are you lying it down, as there's little chance of it fitting in upright, unless it's a pitbike.

[Deisel Weisel]

Gavia said:

Are you lying it down, as there's little chance of it fitting in upright, unless it's a pitbike.

Standing upright, sportsbikes/superbikes. Yes, will be a tight fit, but removing the bikes screen and compressing the fork travel with a ratchet strap, should get it in. All secured with a front wheel chock bolted into the passengers footwell, and one of those tyre straps on the rear wheel.

[Gavia]

Deisel Weisel said:

Standing upright, sportsbikes/superbikes. Yes, will be a tight fit, but removing the bikes screen and compressing the fork travel with a ratchet strap, should get it in. All secured with a front wheel chock bolted into the passengers footwell, and one of those tyre straps on the rear wheel.

I carry a race bike in my Vito van on a regular basis and often see people trying to squeeze a bike into LWB Caddys and Connects they are a real struggle, the idea of getting a Superbikes into a RAV4 is a non starter IMO. If this is a regular occurrence buy a trailer, they are cheap and it will make your life a whole heap easier. If it's a one off trip, then hire a van.

I hate to say it, but it might fit dimension wise, but you'll need to be alongside the bike when loading and it simply won't work.

I'm not helping with the legality side, but I'd expect a serious bking at best off plod if stopped.

[drdel]

If you can get it in and it is your car and bike, you're not getting paid, no-one else in the car, your driving is not restricted and the maximum axle weights of the car aren't exceeded you're OK.

Usually easier getting m/bikes in than out again!

[gus607]

Would the view out of the vehicle be obstucted by the bike ? I'm no legal expert if the driver's view front & side is clear & there is no danger of the bike falling on you or moving when driving then I can't see a problem. Best thing is to wait for a BiB to come along or go & ask a plod.

[Gavia]

It's a moot discussion, the bars of the bike will mean that the bike won't fit in with the sloping windscreen. It's an absolute non-starter, even LWB minivans like VW Caddy or. transit Connect struggle to fit a superbike in.

[wibble cb]

I suspect my load encroached as well, but I took it gently on the bends...




My record is 4 interior doors in the Golf, I wasn't really trying this time!

[pits]

Gavia said:

Deisel Weisel said:

If I were to transport a motorcycle, inside a 3 door RAV4 (all seats except drivers removed), would I be breaking any laws by having the bike extending into where the front passenger’s seat would be?

3 door RAV4 with red line where motorcycle would sit.

Are you lying it down, as there's little chance of it fitting in upright, unless it's a pitbike.

Lol, only get a pit bike in there, if someone can manage this, then OP can manage his.












Yes that's a GSXR in a Clio

[Cold]

Are you going to be able to secure the bike sufficiently to prevent it from squishing you in the event of an accident?

[OldGermanHeaps]

Take it from someone who transported an xs250 inside a mondeo, dont.

[Smokehead]

I once transported a Z250 in the back of a Maestro. That was enough for me.

[Derek Smith]

Like so much in law, there is not a simple yes/no answer.

There is no law restricting placing objects in the front passenger seat of a car or the area. The question is whether if breaches another law.

Are you in full control of your vehicle when the object is in place?

Does it mean you have to modify the way you drive in a manner than might confuse other road users?

It the load fixed, other than by its own weight?

In the event of an accident is it likely to cause danger to another road user?

It is a container of noxious gases. Are these suitably restrained.

And more.

[Drew106]

That's funny, I took a wardrobe back from Ikea no so long ago in my Fabia.
Right through into the front seats onto the dash between my girlfriend and I. Didn't even know I was breaking a law lol. It was a little awkward mind, visibility out the side and rear windows was compromised somewhat.

[grumpyscot]

pits said:

Lol, only get a pit bike in there, if someone can manage this, then OP can manage his.





Yes that's a GSXR in a Clio

Was the bike's mirror damaged before or after you got the bike into the car?

And just what was your rear visibility? Obviously can't see out of either rear or nearside car mirrors. Methinks this is shouting for extra points on your license!

[Pothole]

Just bloody do it. There are so few officers on the roads you'll be highly unlikely to see one anyway.

Edited by Pothole on Friday 24th February 10:18

[pits]

grumpyscot said:

pits said:

Lol, only get a pit bike in there, if someone can manage this, then OP can manage his.





Yes that's a GSXR in a Clio

Was the bike's mirror damaged before or after you got the bike into the car?

And just what was your rear visibility? Obviously can't see out of either rear or nearside car mirrors. Methinks this is shouting for extra points on your license!

Not mine, just pictures from a poster many years back.

I'd imagine visibility wasn't great, but by all accounts it got to where it was going fine and didn't get pulled or points.

[julianc]

pits said:

grumpyscot said:

pits said:

Lol, only get a pit bike in there, if someone can manage this, then OP can manage his.





Yes that's a GSXR in a Clio

Was the bike's mirror damaged before or after you got the bike into the car?

And just what was your rear visibility? Obviously can't see out of either rear or nearside car mirrors. Methinks this is shouting for extra points on your license!

Not mine, just pictures from a poster many years back.

I'd imagine visibility wasn't great, but by all accounts it got to where it was going fine and didn't get pulled or points.

He's going to have trouble riding it out of there.

[Gavia]

pits said:

Lol, only get a pit bike in there, if someone can manage this, then OP can manage his.












Yes that's a GSXR in a Clio

A pretty well dismantled SRAD, with the whole front fairings, ram air and exhaust removed. The OP suggested removing only the screen and compressing the front forks a bit. Anybody can force most any bike into a smaller space than it should be in, as long as you don't mind how much damage you do to either the bike or the car. Personally, I'd stick to buying a trailer if it's a regular thing, or hiring a van for a one off trip. Vans are very cheap to hire for a couple of days and there's no hassle around removing seats and so on.