Converting A Hatchback To Carry Motorcycles

[KTMsm]

I deal in motorcycles which means a lot of collecting and delivering motorcycles, long distances

Currently I'm using an automatic 3.0 Vito with cruise control but it only returns 25 MPG

I'm wondering whether I could convert a hatchback such as a Mondeo or Octavia to take a bike in the back with the hatch removed and the bike ramp sticking out a metre (as a permanent feature)

My reasoning being that you can no longer convert a car to a pickup up but simply removing the hatch (and building a partition behind the front seats) shouldn't cause an issue with type approval

Vans and pickups cost a lot more, tend to have terrible economy and rarely have cruise and automatic - which are the three most important things

Most bikes are circa 200 kg so shouldn't overload a car

Does anyone have any thoughts on why it would / wouldn't work ?

Google hasn't found much, although this looked "interesting"

[blue_haddock]

Surely a motorbike will be too tall for even a mondeo estate?

Logic would say just buy a more fuel efficient van?

[OutInTheShed]

I don't think you'll be able to get a bike into any hatchback without removing structural bits which run across the car, like back of roof or around the bumper/boot lid area?
Bikes are quite tall, it's hard enough to get a mountain bike in upright with the wheel out?

Million years ago I had a Saab 900 which might come close?
That had a huge, flat, tall load area.

Then there are all the issues of the rain coming in, and sucking in all your own exhaust fumes.
And the MPG will be bad too, the aerodynamics of missing bodywork will be dire.

[lb3nson]

What about something like a Berlingo Multispace with all the seats removed? Being the passenger version might make it easier to find the features you want and they get good mpg (around 50mpg iirc)

[lb3nson]

Also, i can’t imagine the insurance on any car that’s been cut up will be much fun!

[SteveR1979]

Ever heard of a trailer??

[Haltamer]

Hmm, No luck with a car derived van?

The 9G Civic Estate has a very low load floor in the rear thanks to the front positioning of the fuel tank and torsion beam suspension, potentially with the rear seats removed you may be able to accommodate a bike inside, loading and unloading may be more of an issue though.

https://hondanews.eu/eu/fi/cars/media/pressrelease... - For some visual scale; The rear wheels are on the seatbacks but it would open up far more without.

Cruise control, 80+ MPG (Some claiming 90+ with remaps), Top spec comes with LED Lighting etc. - Edit: Automatic is only with the 1.8 Petrol, so you'd be looking at ~40ish MPG; 53MPG Claimed extra-urban.

I do like a wild scheme so this does sound interesting, but a trailer is probably the real answer :P

Edited by Haltamer on Monday 21st March 12:45

[KTMsm]

If you look at the above pic you'll get the idea, but imagine it with an extended load area at the back

As I mentioned I would install a partition - probably just use polycarbonate

Saab 900 could be an option

[Drezza]

Don't re-invent the wheel, bike trailer and a diesel hatchback

[SteveStrange]

Ex-wheelchair car. They'll have a ramp, and a high-top, and no middle (longitudinal) seats, and are very often auto.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201211...

(From a 5 second search - put "wheelchair" in to auto trader and away you go)

or this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201281...

(Edit to swap manual to auto)

Edited by SteveStrange on Monday 21st March 12:49

[Doofus]

If I bought a bike from you, and you turned up with it stuffed in the back of a chopped up car, I'd send you home again.

[KTMsm]

Trailers are no good - 60 limit on the motorway and you can't use the outside lane - it's the recipe for a heart attack

If anyone can suggest an economical, comfortable, automatic van with cruise control that's cheap and low mileage I'm all ears but I don't think you'll find one, which is why I started looking into this

Insurance isn't an issue - I have modified trade insurance. Removing a tailgate and adding a load area would probably make it to the least modified car I have

[KTMsm]

SteveStrange said:

Ex-wheelchair car. They'll have a ramp, and a high-top, and no middle (longitudinal) seats, and are very often auto.

(From a 5 second search - put "wheelchair" in to auto trader and away you go)

That's a very good idea, I'll have a look

Although with your username I expected something wilder

[Benmac]

What about one of the bigger MPVs like a Galaxy? Done cleverly you might be able to remove the seats as you can on some of these, install some removable modifications then return it to standard once you've finished with it?

[vikingaero]

I think the ex-wheelchair conversion is the way to go - DSG Caddy Max or Berlingo/Partner EAT.

[KTMsm]

Doofus said:

If I bought a bike from you, and you turned up with it stuffed in the back of a chopped up car, I'd send you home again.

IMO the right car would be memorable hence a good advertising tool - whilst simultaneously dissuading stuck-up dick heads so win win

[blue_haddock]

SteveStrange said:

Ex-wheelchair car. They'll have a ramp, and a high-top, and no middle (longitudinal) seats, and are very often auto.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201211...

(From a 5 second search - put "wheelchair" in to auto trader and away you go)

or this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201281...

(Edit to swap manual to auto)

Edited by SteveStrange on Monday 21st March 12:49

I would agree a WAV would probably be the best all round option.

I have a VW caddy maxi life which are used by lots of wheelchair access converters and its great.

2.0 TDi DSG gives 45 to 50 mpg and its very car like to drive with a decent spec.

Something like this although i would take the middle row of seats out to give maximum load space, they just clip out.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...

[vikingaero]

KTMsm said:

SteveStrange said:

Ex-wheelchair car. They'll have a ramp, and a high-top, and no middle (longitudinal) seats, and are very often auto.

(From a 5 second search - put "wheelchair" in to auto trader and away you go)

That's a very good idea, I'll have a look

Although with your username I expected something wilder

In my fantastic mind, I have another idea:

Ride a motorbike. Have bars protruding from the motorbike that clamps onto the motorbike you wish to transport, so that the unridden bike is effectively a sidecar. When you drop the unridden bike off, you fold the bars back in to make it a motorbike. I claim my £5 and share of the internets

[ImDesigner]

SteveStrange said:

Ex-wheelchair car. They'll have a ramp, and a high-top, and no middle (longitudinal) seats, and are very often auto.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201211...

(From a 5 second search - put "wheelchair" in to auto trader and away you go)

or this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201281...

(Edit to swap manual to auto)

Edited by SteveStrange on Monday 21st March 12:49

Why would anyone risk their life carrying a bike in the back of one of those?

OP just use a van like another other remotely normal person would. Failing that use a trailer as suggested and you'll probably increased your MPG from the reduced speed you'll be doing.

[Glenn63]

SteveStrange said:

Ex-wheelchair car. They'll have a ramp, and a high-top, and no middle (longitudinal) seats, and are very often auto.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201211...

(From a 5 second search - put "wheelchair" in to auto trader and away you go)

or this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201281...

(Edit to swap manual to auto)

Edited by SteveStrange on Monday 21st March 12:49

This is what I was about to say, almost made for purpose just swapping a 4 wheel chair for a 2 wheel bike! A person sitting in a wheelchair is probably about the same height as a bike? Ramp already installed, perfect.