Has anybody used a Chevy cargo van to haul their bike(s)? The ad says the van has "8 feet of space," which I presume means it has an 8' floor behind the seats.
A full size Ford or Chevy van has more like 10 feet from the seats to the back door, at floor level. It is less at the belt line, but not only 8 feet. Chevy Astro vans are closer to 8 feet, and some of the older "shorty" vans.
I've put the Strom into a Ford E-350, don't imagine the Chevy would be any different. Have to take the mirrors and windscreen off, after that no problem. I have a plate for a Pop-Chock and 2 eye bolts mounted in the floor up front, for the rear tie down points I used the cleats that the seats mount to. Important to have a solid rear point of some sort, so you can ensure the bike doesn't break free and come forward in an accident.
If you're renting the van lack of tie down points may be a problem.
As to 2 bikes...it depends on what they are. 2 Stroms, probably not. But 2 roadrace bikes or 2 dirtbikes do fit. In that case we'd offset them slightly, one bike (the left one) all the way forward and the right one set back about 18". You have to plan out your chock and eye bolt locations carefully.
If you're buying, consider a passenger van. They're more comfortable and quieter, and the seats give you some options when not hauling bikes. You do have to have a place to put the seats when you want them out.
Ford is going to replace the E series with the Euro based Transit van, that may turn out to be the ideal bike hauler.
When I lived in Japan, I transported my CR85 Mini Motard race bike and my KTM 690SMC full size supermoto in a van. Just make sure it has solid point for tie downs. I would also recommend using some sort of chock for the front wheel if you don't have something rigid to push it up against. No matter how tight you get the tie downs, without something keeping the front wheel from rolling, you will still have some motion.
Back when I was a teenager I wanted to get a panel van/truck and build a camper out of it and haul a dirt bike in it with me. This was pre-toy haulers that they make now. Also pre me owning a Wee. :mrgreen:
Now I just like to ride wherever I want to go. :thumbup:
Unless the wee has the fork shoved up through the trees...it will not fit. Not with the shield and mirrors removed and not with the bike leaned fairly aggressively to one side. Not my 08 with 400 miles on the clock in my E350 extended length anyway.
Thanks for the feedback. It looks like I need to do some measuring. My CB is pretty compact and I'm sure it will fit, but a friend's Wee may not. I'd definitely rather be riding than hauling, but my busted hip says van, man.
Janice, you nut...one day you'll figure out how to turn a fork leg into a mobile stealth bong and make a million bucks!
BTW: I don't have access to a VStrom anymore...if one of y'all would be kind enough to measure the minimum vertical height of a Wee and post it, I'd really appreciate it
For a 2012, would like to see 50 inch vertical to clear instrument cluster housing, with mirrors and windscreen removed and bike upright or 52 inch vertical with handlebars cranked to left, a little less than this if on sidestand in order to clear hydraulic resevoir.
I would be tempted to bring a few friends and rig something to allow the bike to lean further or just rent a trailer?
Thanks Nuke. If I don't see 53" floor to door top I'd say it won't work.
To explain the "project:" I busted my hip back in November and I'm just getting back on the bike. There's no way I can repeat last summer's 1,500 miles in 2 days trip to NC and back, but I want to make the Galoot meet-up, which is basically the same trip except with more days. Oh yeah, and this time I have to bring a 180lb kid along, and there is NO WAY I'm hauling his hefty butt on a bike.
I really considered buying a trailer, but I have a well-worn Mini that I need to keep in shape for daily commuting. I've pulled a utility trailer with it to haul stuff from Home Despot, and it really doesn't like it. The trailer is still a possibility if the van doesn't work out. OTOH, if I did buy a trailer I might become a slug and start using it even after I recover from the accident. That would be a bad thing...
The van rental will be ideal if the bikes will fit.
This Website for 2013 model shows 52.9 inch height, (under capacity and volume) should work but check the height at the cargo door, there may be a lip and if you push the bike up a ramp, this could affect the clearance.
I've only ever seen one reason to own a van. I think the bike would get in the way.
'Cause like a princess she was layin' there
Moonlight dancin' off her hair
She woke up and took me by the hand
She's gonna love me in my Chevy van
And that's all right with me
Her young face was like that of an angel
Her long legs were tanned and brown
Better keep your eyes on the road, son
Better slow this vehicle down
'Cause like a princess she was layin' there
Moonlight dancin' off her hair
She woke up and took me by the hand
We made love in my Chevy van
And that's all right with me
I've only ever seen one reason to own a van. I think the bike would get in the way.
'Cause like a princess she was layin' there
Moonlight dancin' off her hair
She woke up and took me by the hand
She's gonna love me in my Chevy van
And that's all right with me
Dad's got a 04 Express van that fit a GT380 pretty well without the mirrors. There is a sizeable latch area at the top center of the rear door opening that would present some issues. A truck or trailer would be a much better option for a tall bike like a strom. I also have hip issues and wouldn't even try to load mine into that van.
I read a story once about an enterprising company that needed to ship a bunch of bricks to Alaska. They researched all the typical methods and found them to be too expensive to make a profit. Finally a guy suggested they mail them "parcel post." It cost a fraction of standard shipping, even with the labor to label and stamp the bricks, and the company made a pile of money.
Can I do that with a bike?
Somebody hand me the bong, I'm getting a headache.
Just measured the rear opening height on my van, 49". Like I said, no problem getting my '07 Strom in there, I'm sure even 47" would be doable with a bit of tweaking.
Thanks Rich, I really appreciate you checking that for me. And if your Strom will fit, I don't see why my pal's won't.
It's probably going to come down to if there's enough places to connect the straps, and if it looks wide enough to put the 2 bikes in together.
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