Transporting bike in the van

[JCKST1]

I have a new Transit custom on order and looking for a few tips on how to transport the bike in the back?

Majority of the time I will have gear along the sides so something central and secure would be best, I was thinking bolting this along the floor behind the bulkhead?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-BIKE-GALVANIZED-FLOOR-...

Then using cam buckle straps to keep the front end planted, has anyone on here done that before I go and waste my time ordering the above!?

Alternatively any other ideas for 2-3 bikes at a time?

[47p2]

How about something like this?

[JCKST1]

Should have mentioned we will have varying width axles, mostly 15mm & 20mm.
Not sure if the above would work but thanks for looking.

[FD3Si]

Could you not use a conventional roof mounted rack and just bolt it to the floor? Both the Thule racks I've got would easily allow that

I wouldn't use one of those cycle stands you linked to - they aren't going to hold the bike very rigidly.
Other option I guess would be some sort of arrangement with hooks on the roof for bars and saddle.

[Fluffsri]

JCKST1 said:

Should have mentioned we will have varying width axles, mostly 15mm & 20mm.
Not sure if the above would work but thanks for looking.

That link will work but you need the adaptors, £40 ish on Chain reaction. Here's mine, I had a mate make the grey ones for me out of 15mm ID tube and then weld on the legs.

[poo at Paul's]

I use roof mounts bolted to a bit board that fits over the main floor, just sits in there but cannot move. Secure, and without the stresses being applied to frames that one would get at say 90mph with them on the roof! £30 a pop for good quality ones off ebay.

[Notorious100HP]

Met a friend of a friend last year who had a Merc Vito with 2 Thule 591s bolted to the floor. Looked like it worked very well although he's a Dr apparently so less likely to need space for work stuff.

[CoolC]

Use the arm and clamp from a work stand fixed to your racking?

Pembo's van featured on here somewhere uses this method to good effect.

I strapped my work stand into the back of a hire van earlier this year.



Something along the lines of a more permanent version of this.

Edited by CoolC on Wednesday 26th October 16:55

[poo at Paul's]

Notorious100HP said:

Met a friend of a friend last year who had a Merc Vito with 2 Thule 591s bolted to the floor. Looked like it worked very well although he's a Dr apparently so less likely to need space for work stuff.

That's what I have, but 3 of them. They were cheap as the 598 replaced them so about 45 quid a pop when I got them. Plus, I can unbolt off the board and put them on the car roof bars should I need to.

[poo at Paul's]

CoolC said:

Use the arm and clamp from a work stand fixed to your racking?

Pembo's van featured on here somewhere uses this method to good effect.

I strapped my work stand into the back of a hire van earlier this year.



Something along the lines of a more permanent version of this.

Edited by CoolC on Wednesday 26th October 16:55

What happend when you corner and all that other stuff falls over! lol

[CoolC]

poo at Paul's said:

What happend when you corner and all that other stuff falls over! lol

It was all wedged in tight, nothing moved. The photo was taken about 2/3 of the way through loading.

[paulmnz]

I have a LWB transit with factory crew-cab so often have 6 of us in the van with up to 10 mountain bikes (as we have DH and AM bikes to carry). so can be carrying anything from a couple of bikes upwards. been doing euro mountain bike trips for years, so thousands of miles. Usually we put all the luggage down first, bikes on top. or if it's a local ride, just straight in on the bed.

I've never strapped them down.

I use furniture mover's blankets draped over each bike and put either spare tyres or those large foam floor tiles between each bike.

Never had any issues with paint chipping, rubbing or scratching. the blankets are excellent.

[Crippo]

What you need is this. I have a bed in mine and I slot the bike down the side, I strap around eth forks and the wheel channel keeps he wheel straight, the handlebar rests against eth Ply lined wall and I even have room to change and a bed. I carry lots of samples for work normally so I need to still be a van