Family and bike transport

[Craikeybaby]

I have come to accept that my trusty BMW 1 Series is no longer fit for family life - I have 2 boys (aged 11 months and 3.5 years) and they require a lot of stuff. And that is before my bikes get taken into consideration. So we need something bigger, my requirements are that it needs to be able to fit 2 adults, 2 kids (in their car seats) and our bikes (2x adult MTBs and 2x kids bikes)!

It will be my main car, although my wife also has a little city car, it will be used for mountain bike trips most weekends, with the occasional longer trip, including into Europe. I currently do about 8,000 miles a year, although most of my journeys are over 30 minutes, the BMW doesn't get used too often, as work/nursery (and school)/shops etc are all less than a mile, so I tend to walk/cycle. I am happy to compromise on driving dynamics etc, as I will still have my MR2 Roadster for fun drives!

The budget is up to £15k. I keep coming back to the same option, but am interested to see what PH suggests.

[talksthetorque]

Do the bikes need to go inside or out?

[Craikeybaby]

Inside would be better.

[Chicken Chaser]

You're going to need a van if it's inside.

[Craikeybaby]

That was the conclusion I had come to, and I guess why you get so many vans at trail centre car parks.

I guess I have to weigh up the compromises between faulting a van and having bikes on a rack/carrier on an estate car.

[nickfrog]

From time to time the Peugeot Traveller comes in very cheap on a lease, around the £200 mark amortised which is quite a lot less than depreciation on new discounted.
I assume it would gobble up all that stuff including passengers.

[The Cardinal]

We made do with mid-size hatchbacks (plus-mounted bike carriers) of various flavour for many years with kids.

About 4 years ago, my wife basically forced us to get a camper-converted van and I can confirm that it's been ace as a bike carrier. Personally, I'd go with a combi-style van, but the choice wasn't entirely mine to make. We also commute entirely by bike.

I think it's worth considering a small hatchback to run alongside a van, even at low annual mileages, as you may find (as I did!) that your partners won't drive the van around town. Our c.8k miles per year are split roughly 50:50 between car and van.

[Craikeybaby]

nickfrog said:

From time to time the Peugeot Traveller comes in very cheap on a lease, around the £200 mark amortised which is quite a lot less than depreciation on new discounted.
I assume it would gobble up all that stuff including passengers.

I have seen the Citroen equivalent on similar deals too, so that is an option.

The Cardinal said:

We made do with mid-size hatchbacks (plus-mounted bike carriers) of various flavour for many years with kids.

About 4 years ago, my wife basically forced us to get a camper-converted van and I can confirm that it's been ace as a bike carrier. Personally, I'd go with a combi-style van, but the choice wasn't entirely mine to make. We also commute entirely by bike.

I think it's worth considering a small hatchback to run alongside a van, even at low annual mileages, as you may find (as I did!) that your partners won't drive the van around town. Our c.8k miles per year are split roughly 50:50 between car and van.

We already have the small hatchback (and sports car) which won't be going anywhere.

[talksthetorque]

7 seater thingy and take the back seats out?
probably get 4 bikes in with front wheel removal of the big stuff.

PS I want a video of your 11 month old riding a bike past a tin of Birds Custard

[Fastdruid]

I'm a big fan personally of the tow bar mounted carriers.

When the children were younger we would stick the bikes in the boot and our bikes on the back.



As they got older and their bikes bigger they could only *just* fit in the boot and it was easier to get a 4-bike carrier.



So, in summary, get what ever car you want, just get a tow bar and you can easily carry a family worth of bikes.

[Craikeybaby]

talksthetorque said:

7 seater thingy and take the back seats out?
probably get 4 bikes in with front wheel removal of the big stuff.

PS I want a video of your 11 month old riding a bike past a tin of Birds Custard

I wish I’d read this before taking him to the supermarket (in my MR2 Roadster)!

[nickfrog]

Great pic. Enjoy, they grow very fast. Mine is even taller than me.

[ChocolateFrog]

Transporter/Transit delete as per loyalties.

[Dadoc2001]

VW Caddy Maxi. Take the rear bench out if the 7 seater?

[ZX10R NIN]

Transit Crew Bus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Over budget but look at it:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Now if you want a petrol look for the Japanese stuff, you'll have to remove the final set of seats:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2014-Nissan-Serena-Hybr...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-Nissan-Elgrand-E52...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Toyota Alphard

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-09-TOYOTA-VELLFIRE...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRESH-IMPORT-2008-TOYOT...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRESH-IMPORT-2008-TOYOT...

[Craikeybaby]

nickfrog said:

Great pic. Enjoy, they grow very fast. Mine is even taller than me.

They certainly do! I’m now towards the end of 12 weeks off work to look after him, which has been amazing!

ChocolateFrog said:

Transporter/Transit delete as per loyalties.

That was the outcome I had come too, although my wife has said no to a Transit.

Dadoc2001 said:

VW Caddy Maxi. Take the rear bench out if the 7 seater?

Thanks, I hadn’t considered these.

ZX10R NIN said:

Transit Crew Bus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Over budget but look at it:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Now if you want a petrol look for the Japanese stuff, you'll have to remove the final set of seats:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2014-Nissan-Serena-Hybr...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-Nissan-Elgrand-E52...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Toyota Alphard

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-09-TOYOTA-VELLFIRE...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRESH-IMPORT-2008-TOYOT...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRESH-IMPORT-2008-TOYOT...

Do all of the Transit crew buses have the bulkheads? I suppose it must help with the cabin noise and temperature, but less flexibility - another trade off to consider.

I hadn’t thought of the Japanese stuff either, but that’s maybe because I’ve driven them in Japan and wasn’t too impressed.

[ZX10R NIN]

You can get a non bulkhead version they're called the Tourneo I linked to the crew cabs as they seemed suited to your needs.

[Craikeybaby]

talksthetorque said:

7 seater thingy and take the back seats out?
probably get 4 bikes in with front wheel removal of the big stuff.

PS I want a video of your 11 month old riding a bike past a tin of Birds Custard

Found some custard!


On a more serious note are you talking Galaxy etc? I know the 7 seater I hired on holiday last year would not have fitted bikes in, even with the front wheel out.

[Craikeybaby]

ZX10R NIN said:

You can get a non bulkhead version they're called the Tourneo I linked to the crew cabs as they seemed suited to your needs.

Thanks, gives me something else to look at.

[flatso]

Old shape Grand Espace, very spacious, well thought out car.