What is the perfect bike hauling vehicle? [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

jobob

12-03-2005, 04:28 PM

We just bought a Honda Element and we luuuve it. It's a great bike-carrying vehicle. Halfway decent gas mileage (24 mpg with automatic transmission, about the same with manual - sad that nowadays that rates as "halfway decent", but it was way better than the other vehicles we looked at :p ). It's also very easy to drive, it doesn't feel like a big SUV.

With the 2 rear seats folded up, we can roll both our bikes in and secure them to the side with bungie cords. Since we don't need it for carrying passengers besides the two of us, it works out fine. But if we wanted to, we could keep one of the rear seats folded down if we had a passenger. [Ed to add - we could probably carry more than 2 bikes that way, but that's all we tried for now].

Lee's now rigged it up with 2 fork mounts on the rear floor so that, instead of rolling in the bikes intact, we can take off the front wheels and roll the bikes in backwards and secure the forks to the mounts,we think it's a better solution for long drives. Plus we can have both rear seats in place. [oops,that's wrong ... senior moment ].

The rear seats are not particularly comfy so I wouldn't advise it if you want to use it with passengers a lot. Plus, it only seats 4. But this was a big improvement over the truck that replaced it, with the "extended cab" in which the hapless 3rd passenger (usually me!) would have to sort of lay sideways in the back, ugh. But we have another car (mine) in which we can carry passengers so that wasn't an issue for us.

The Element replaced Lee's old Toyota truck with a cab shell, which we also had rigged with the fork mounts in the floor of the cab. This worked out really well (except for the rare times we had a 3rd passenger, see above :p ) and we were planning to get another small truck with cab to replace this one, but it seems no-one is making small trucks anymore - even Toyota's version of mini truck is on steroids these days :eek: and the gas mileage for all the small trucks we looked at stank, plus the trucks combined with a decent cab shell cost a bloody fortune now. (The Element cost us about $21 K with all the taxes & everything , we got a 2005 model ).

Hope this helps, - Jo.

Irulan

12-03-2005, 04:44 PM

I have an Isuzu Trooper, which by today's standards is a small SUV. We do use it offroad and to haul pontoon boats. If it wasn't for that, I'd be looking seriously at the Honda Element. Mr. Jobob just got one. Looks pretty durn spiffy.

I know exactly what you mean, we have a whitewater trailer that we have to haul, and the geologist hubby uses the Ford as a field vehicle ( work) If I have my way, the next one will be a hybrid. Our other car is a subaru.

And what Jo said about little trucks, whatever happened to them? We used to have a little tiny toy 4x4 that was awesome! I just read an article about GM and its over inventory of big things... they lose over 2K per rig that they build, and they say they didn't see the gas price increase coming.... what are they doing, living with their heads in the sand? /rant

Kathi

12-03-2005, 04:54 PM

Kathi

12-03-2005, 05:07 PM

I just brought a Honda CRV. I love it too and our 2 road bikes or mtn bikes fit in it. Not sure what the difference is between the Element and the CRV. I just liked the looks of the CRV better.

Both are well rated by Consumer Reports.

I remember why I didn't consider the Element. Consumer Report said that "outward visibility is compromised by the large roof pillars". I didn't want anything blocking my visibility.

pkq

12-03-2005, 06:20 PM

Kathi, the Element and CRV are on the same frame but that's about the only thing in common. I think the engine is different, too.

Another good thing about the Element is that it's made in the U.S., with mostly North American stuff.

jobob, I have hauled my bike to Louisiana, Texas, and other Southern states and to Oregon, Montana, and Canada just strapped down. Everything did just fine. The Element is a blast to travel in. I am too lazy to take the front wheel off. What color did you get? What color interior?

I've had many tell me the Element is ugly. Never heard spiffy. :) Thanks SadieKate.

Irulan, I've thought of writing about corporate America. You just wouldn't believe some of the stuff that goes on. It's pretty funny stuff.

If you consider the Element, I would recommend the stick. You have better control over the power band. I found the automatic to be just a little too mushy for my tastes.

singletrackmind

12-04-2005, 06:43 AM

Between the Toyota and the Mitsubishi, the 'yota's better quality and should give you less problems over the long haul, plus have a better resale value. Moot if you aren't going to keep it more than a couple of years, though.
I have a '96 4runner and it hauls a two-kid baby trailer and bike (wheels off) inside, 3 bikes outside, all our bike stuff and my small tool box plus 4 adults and a baby. I don't, however, have mounts for bikes inside, nor do I ever fold the seats down.
The only thing I don't like about the 4runner is the 15mpg (3.4l engine). Everything else, from off-road capability (4wd, hi and lo) to a truck-like but fairly comfortable ride to haul capacity, I am very happy with.
Hondas have a good reputation and the one guy I know that hauls bikes in an Element likes it.

jobob

12-04-2005, 07:38 AM

I remember why I didn't consider the Element. Consumer Report said that "outward visibility is compromised by the large roof pillars". I didn't want anything blocking my visibility. I saw that too, and I mentioned it to my husband. Thing is, we're used to driving the small truck with the cab shell, which also compromises outward visibility, a lot! So, in the truck we rely more on the side-view mirrors than we would with a regular passenger car. Same with the Element. It's not the same as a passenger car, so you need to rely more on the side-view mirrors. CR rightly cautioned potential buyers about it in the event they were more used to the visibilty that passenger cars provide, and might not be comfortable with relying more on the mirrors. I suppose a lot of SUVs don't have this issue, since they're built more like passenger cars than is the Element. But bottom line, that was no biggie for us.

jobob, I have hauled my bike to Louisiana, Texas, and other Southern states and to Oregon, Montana, and Canada just strapped down. Everything did just fine. Oh, I have no doubts, but you know men, they can't leave well enough alone :D

What color did you get? What color interior? The gray with dark gray trim. We would have also gone for the green, but the gray was available, and we like that a bit more anyhow. We think it looks classy, in a cute sort of way ...

I've had many tell me the Element is ugly. Never heard spiffy. :) Well, Lee and I think it's adorable. :) But we have kind of offbeat tastes. Lee's always ooh-ing and ahh-ing old Volkswagen minibusses, and if it weren't for the upkeep, we would probably have one of those. He considers the Element sort of a modern-day version of the minibus.

I can see how the Element would put some people off ... but then again, I think some of the SUVs out there are uuuugly as sin, so there you have it ;)

If you consider the Element, I would recommend the stick. You have better control over the power band. I found the automatic to be just a little too mushy for my tastes.
Did you get the 2-wheel or the 4WD version? We got the 2 WD version, since we don't go offroad or seek out snow, and it saved us a couple of thou.

Surlygirl

12-04-2005, 01:01 PM

I have the Honda Pilot and we put two skewer attachments on the back of the middle seats and when folded down we take the front wheels off the bikes and attach them to the mounts. When we take the whole family (5) we put our new trailer hitch mount yakima rack on. I absolutely love the Pilot but it was pricey.

pkq

12-04-2005, 03:46 PM

jobob, I got the AWD because it snows where I live. It handles great in the snow. It handled great in about 8" of snow on the ground and still coming down, colder than the North pole, and night time. I was real impressed.

My tastes are kinda' off beat, too. I'm used to hearing people tell me that I am "different." :D

One thing I am considering is getting a cargo box for the top. With camping and biking gear, the interior can get a little cramped. Their is a owner's club with good ideas, if you are interested.

I read the visibility thing, too, but it's only been a problem once or twice in about 40,000 miles.

You'll love the Element! :)

carback

12-05-2005, 07:16 AM

wabisabi

12-05-2005, 07:27 AM

I agree about the Subaru; it is hard to beat in the mountains and snow, and I can easily load my 17' sea kayak on top by myself, and it holds the bike, wheels on and all! The parking lots here are full of them.

Irulan

12-05-2005, 07:37 AM

Sounds like most people are suggesting an SUV.

As I am not a fan of SUVs for many reasons, I'm going to play devil's advocate and recommend a Subaru. I drive a Subaru Outback with AWD. I have easily fit 2 bikes inside, plus gear. I"m sure a 3rd would fit if it needed to (granted, there'd only be room for 2 people).

With AWD and winter tires, I have all the traction and control I need and want (and I live & drive in the mountains. A lot). I also don't have a horrendous gas bill nor the guilt associated with gas guzzling. (I am now getting off my soapbox).

A Honda Element is not a typical SUV, it's a smaller, new generation version of one. I don't know about you, but to me when somenone says SUV I think Durango, Landcruiser, Navigator, Expedition, Hummers, or any of the other behemoths out there that are really just station wagons on steriods. And you are absolutely right, very few people need vehicles like that. The benefits of 4WD over AWD are mythical at best.

As for subs - I own one, ('95 leagcy that gets 30 mpg hiway) and we were looked into purchasing another.You can't beat them for sticking to the road in all conditions. The new ones don't really qualify as economical on gas. When we were looking we were really dissapointed in the mileage ratings for them. According to the www.fueleconomy.gov, the combined ( hiway, city) mpg for an '05 outback is only 22.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

compared to something like a Durango, combined mileage listed as 15, that's an improvement, but still not fuel efficient.

Here are the top ten most efficienet SUV type vehicles according to Edmunds -
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/103385/article.html

If I have my way, our next car is going to be something like a honda civic or hybrid with a rack on top.

veekcee

12-05-2005, 07:53 AM

We bought a Honda Element a couple of months ago and love it! Easily fit 3 bikes in with the seats folded up. Looks wise, it is growing on me, but boy it sure is fun to drive. I don't find a problem with the the larger pillars and find visibility to be pretty good. The lack of visibility with the seats folded up takes some getting used to.

We had a Subaru Outback and loved it, too. It always made me nervous having our bikes hanging off of the back. With the Element, don't have to worry about a hitch malfunction or leaving the bikes unattended on the back of the car. :)

SadieKate

12-05-2005, 08:26 AM

I love Subarus. We've had 3, but even a Forester won't take my husband's bike upright inside without changing the seat height every time. Stacking bikes is just a no-no. Sooner or later, spokes, derailleurs, cables or the paint will be damaged. When the cost of a good wheelset is as much or more than some entire bikes, you don't allow the weight of one to rest on the other. Padding helps, but sooner or later . . . .

Not sure about the new Saab/Subaru SUV though. Anyone have experience with it?

We've met tall guys who could get long travel FS mtbikes in an Element. They raved about the mileage and handling. Yes, they're kind of funky looking, but in a functionally spiffy sort of way. I like cars that look like they can do something other than haul you to the nearest nail salon.

Cari

12-05-2005, 08:59 AM

If I have my way, our next car is going to be something like a honda civic or hybrid with a rack on top.

I have a Honda Civic Coupe and my mountain bike easily fits in the back. I take off the front wheel just to make it easier for me to get it in there. Both rear seats fold down, if you need extra room. But yeah, I only use it if I'm only carrying one bike.

A friend of mine had an Element and he *loved* it. It's quirky but cool -- his friend called it "the fish tank". In addition to fitting bikes easily with just one of the rear seats down, I liked that the floors have a thick rubber cover instead of rugs, so when the car gets muddy and gross, you can just hose it off. Plus you can do lots of neat things with the seats.

I love the feeling of driving a small car that I can park anywhere. I also like having a proper trunk that I can lock. My friend got a $7,000 DH bike stolen from the inside of his car -- ouch. In the Civic, you need the car key to fold down the rear seats, and the lever inside that opens the trunk can be locked.

But if I were to buy a bike-specific car or SUV, I guess I'd go with the Honda Element or with a Subaru Forester. The Forester looks very cool and the interiors are sweet. I think you can also get it with a special liner to put in the back over the rug-like cover, so the fabric doesn't get full of mud and bike grease.

SalsaMTB

12-05-2005, 01:07 PM

If you can get past the uncool image of a minivan, I highly recommend it. DH and I just got a Nissan Quest and love it. The toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey are also worth checking out, the Quest has the most unique styling. We got it only because of our bikes, we're 25 and don't plan on having children for at least 4 years. Yep, we're personally trying to break the soccer mom image. It is great for bikes though. Many of the SUVs will fit two bikes if you take the front wheel off. Surprisingly many of the smaller-medium SUV couldn't fit two bikes w/o taking the front wheel off. We didn't want to take the wheels off, so we opted for the van for the gas mileage.

Here is a pic of our van loaded up with two bikes and our equipment. There is plenty of room left:

http://img279.imageshack.us/img279/6088/1carback9ua.jpg

MomOnBike

12-05-2005, 01:44 PM

I've been considering a trailer like this http://www.teardroptrailersexpress.com/tproducts.php?Manufacturer=Little+Guy+Trailers to haul my bike for a variety of reasons.

1) He's a Long wheel-base recumbent, and if I let the bike in the car/minivan, he'll want to drive, and, well, no good can come of that. :eek:

2) Putting the bike on the back of our Saturn sedan works, mostly, but the bike is longer by a non-trivial amount than the car is wide. This makes me nervous.

3) I can pound nails in the bottom of a trailer and make a secure mount for the bikes.

4) 'Most any car I buy can pull the light sort of trailer I have in mind, I can buy the small sort of car I like With the easy addition of a trailer hitch, I'm good to go.

5) If I don't pound nails into the trailer floor, we might be able to use the trailer as lodging when we get wherever it is we're hauling the bikes to.

jobob

12-05-2005, 01:50 PM

Since our other car is a 2003 Subaru Outback, I thought I'd chime in on that too.

With the rear seats folded down, I can place a single bike on it's side with the front wheel removed in the back of the Outback (I assume we're still talking about vehicles which can carry 2 or more bikes inside). I suppose I could fit another bike in there, maybe with a blanket in between, but I wouldn't want to try it unless I absolutely had to.

Like Irulan said, recent Outbacks have crummy gas mileage. I get about 21 mpg with our Outback, which has automatic transmission & AWD. I don't know how much better mileage one would get with manual transmission.

The Outback is great car, I like everything about it except for the gas mileage, which is the pitts IMHO. I was under the impression that more recent models have improved fuel ecomomy, but maybe that's not the case?

So from my experience, the Element gets much better gas mileage than the Outback.

jeannierides

12-05-2005, 02:10 PM

My DSO has a Ford Ranger pickemup w/a cover. Three of our road bikes fit in it nicely. Good mileage and pretty stable as well!

pkq

12-05-2005, 02:52 PM

I looked at the Dodge and Chrysler minivans. If you have to take those back seats/benches out, they are heavy and storage of them is an issue. That is the only reason I backed away from a minivan.

If minivans have seats that fold into the floor, that's the way to go. Some of my pals have the Honda minivan and love it.

Geonz

12-05-2005, 03:54 PM

Welp, I can get two bikes in my Mazda Protege 5 hatchback. Probably a little too "downscale," though :-)

RoadRaven

12-06-2005, 09:40 AM

We are trying to find the right size trailor...

A vehicle will not do the job.

We have to be able carry 8 bikes - some with aerobars on...

Aint Doody

12-06-2005, 10:07 AM

I have a Dodge Grand Caravan--2000. I can put in my bicycle right behind the front seats--going thru the side door--and don't have to take the wheel off. With the 3rd seat out I can put 3 bikes in easily. When I get a new car, it'll be another one of these--now that the seats fold into the floor, it'll be a piece of cake. Plus--it's a good ole comfy-ridin' American car that gets good gas mileage.

SalsaMTB

12-06-2005, 10:42 AM

Yep, I think most minivans now have fold flat seats. I would never want to haul those heavy things out of my car!! I think the Chrysler/Dodge vans have the best folding design for their seats.

tomgrrrl

12-06-2005, 06:54 PM

Well, I have a fairly new Toyota Sienna and love it.....it has a Yakima bike rack on the back (holds four bikes) and a Yakima tandem rack on top....BUT, the thought of my new Serotta getting rear-ended has led me to stow it in the van (slides in right beside the middle row of seats (1 back seat down) and bungie it to the head rest so it doesn't move around. I do remove the front wheel.....If I folded the rear seats down I could probably shove three bikes inside, sans wheels....Now, let's see, that's three inside, four outside plus a tandem.....ahhhh. Well, the van is also good for piling the kiddies in on those school field trips!

PS-my lp says "BIKGRRL"

DirtDiva

12-07-2005, 03:30 PM

We are trying to find the right size trailor...

A vehicle will not do the job.

We have to be able carry 8 bikes - some with aerobars on...
Surely you can whip something up out of No. 8 and 2x4... ;)

bcipam

12-08-2005, 01:34 PM

I have been seriously trying to find a vehicle to replace my old, worn out 1997 Ford Explorer Sport which was the perfect bike hauling vehicle. It's smaller than the 4 size Explorer so saves gas and is easier to park but big enough and boxy enough to haul bikes (with the front wheels off and if the bike is too tall, the seatpost).

Now, all the SUV have been turned into what I call "Mommy vehicles." Kids are an issue not ultility. Lots of little extras little side cup holders and storage bins makes it difficult to get a bike in plus the box size has gotten smaller so hard to get a bigger bike in without laying it on the side. I don't want a gigundo SUV but looks like I may have to buy a mini-van (Gosh forbid!!!) so I can get my bike (and my friends bikes) inside the vehicle.

Let me know what you find but word of caution - take measurements to make sure the bikes will fit (especially your husbands) and better yet - take your bike and try and fit it in. My friend just purchased a new, high priced SUV and is very disappointed to discover even her little girly bike does not fit. They have to get a bike rack (The Thule Sport Rack is pretty good).

tatormc

12-08-2005, 02:13 PM

Thanks to everyone for all the great info! We haven't done any actual car shopping yet (too cold) but when we do we'll take our bikes to the dealership to make sure they will fit. We're also trying to decide if we are really ready for a car payment as both vehicles are paid off. I'll let you know once we find something and if anyone is aware of any of vehicle please post!

Irulan

12-08-2005, 02:19 PM

RoadRaven

12-09-2005, 10:12 AM

Surely you can whip something up out of No. 8 and 2x4... ;)

Well... I did try... but partner was worried about the wire scatching the paint work... :rolleyes: maybe if I go grab some dags outta the woolshed... :p

Irulan

12-09-2005, 10:30 AM

you need a version of this:

http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/penny/images/funmobile.jpg

this is our flatbed trailer. We use it mainly for hauling rafts but it comes in handy for lots of other things. You can see it on google earth, too.

Kathi

12-09-2005, 11:45 AM

consider something about 2 years old. You save an incredible amount in depreciation, but can still get "like new".

I wanted to buy a used CRV but only the 05 CRV had the safety features I wanted, standard electronic stability control and side-curtain airbags. Safety features were important to me and some of the smaller SUV's didn't rank as high as the CRV.

I checked out the Toyota Rav 4 but it was more like a car than an SUV and wasn't as spacious.

When I tested the car we took our bikes to make sure they fit. Both of our bikes (road and mtn) fit standing up without taking off wheels, seat posts etc. You do have to fold down the seats and turn the front wheels sideways. They fit so securely that we don't tie them down.

We drove from Denver to Cincy (and back) starting with less than 1,000 miles on it and we were getting 25-26 mph on the highway.

The Thule Spare Me rack works great when I need to carry the bikes outside.

I studied the pros and cons that Consumer Reports stated. Some SUV's they won't recommend because they rolled in safety crashes. Some companies charge extra for safety features (side air bags) and other options included in the base price of the CRV.

The CRV drives like my Honda Civic and is roomy but not to big. It also handles well on mtn passes and has enough power for climbing. I got the EX because I love having a moon roof.

Kathi

RoadRaven

12-09-2005, 04:04 PM

you need a version of ... our flatbed trailer. We use it mainly for hauling rafts but it comes in handy for lots of other things. You can see it on google earth, too.

Yeah, we're looking at something like this... we want it covered/lockable but we don't want anything too tall because the wind-resistance factor enters into fuel costs.

We want something wide enough to take the bikes side on - without their front wheels on - front forks fixed to the floor.

We need room for the wheels we have taken off, plus spare wheels, race wheels etc etc, plus all the maintainance stuff... tires, tubes, pumps etc etc etc... plus helmets, gloves, changes of clothes etc etc

If we can get one long enough we could also store food etc if we were off somewhere some distance for a 'Tour'... (like the Nationals - 4 days next October in the South Island)

Not much to ask for, huh? Might have to get it custom made!

tatormc

04-02-2006, 06:22 PM

Well after some car shopping we decided on a 2006 Toyota RAV4. This was not a car we'd even considered until a friend who works at a Toyota dealership pointed it out. They've redone the '06 model and it's a lot bigger. We can get both bikes in without taking off the wheels if we lay down the back seat. We've had the vehicle for 3 weeks and really love it. Hope to keep it for many years!

bcipam

04-03-2006, 11:55 AM

I've thought about the newer bigger RAV 4 as well but have you seen the new Toyota FJ Cruiser? Very cool looking car!

DrBee

04-03-2006, 12:37 PM

I have an Element and a CR-V and love them both! I had no idea there were so many Element owner's here. Wahoo! Anyhoo - I haven't tried to put our bikes in the CR-V, but they both fit great in the Element.

makbike

04-03-2006, 01:52 PM

I have a Ford Focus wagon (2003) and love it. I carry my bike around in the back all the time. I've put my bike, a DF, and my BF's Bachetta Strada in the back and hauled them without any problems (simply have to remove the front tire and put a blanket between the two bikes to keep them from scratching each other).

Marcie

Lenusik

04-10-2006, 12:22 PM

You would be surprised and so were we. We are actually looking for a bike car right now and we decided on a Nissan Murano. It fits both bikes, of course, if you drop the front wheel. Imagine, my husband is 6 ft 6 and his bike fits inside of the vehicle. Plus, Murano gets a very good mileage for an SUV.

pooks

08-14-2006, 07:50 PM

Bumping and adding --

We have a 2003 Element and LOOOOVE it. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Unfortunately, our bikes seem to be extra-huge. My bike -- a hybrid shaft drive -- is 46" tall at the handlebars and won't fit into the E without removing the front wheel, and I haven't figured out how to do that.

Yes, I'm un-technical!

MomOnBike

08-15-2006, 07:08 AM

For the record, a Dodge Neon is a terrible only vehicle in a biking family. (Dumbest purchase I've made in quite a while)

EvilTwin

08-15-2006, 07:13 AM

I think I can top the Dodge Neon story.... Imagine this: A Chrysler Sebring Convertable with the top down and 2 bikes on the trunk rack....It works, but the looks I get are pretty funny. I'd use the minivan, except I can't seem to get it out of my daughter's hands... Besides, I don't want her driving the convertable.!

redhot3368

08-15-2006, 07:18 AM

HI!!
I have the 2004 element...the green one.
I LOVE it..
the back seats come completely out! OR fold up on the side.
the first year we got it, we went for a 5 day trip to Moab,UTAH.
We had 3 mountain bikes and all our gear and luggage and there was still room after that!!
It is great!
Pretty good gas milage too...
It was May of 2004 when we went to Utah and all the locals thought it was the coolist looking car they had ever seen. we got soooo much attention in that car!!

Karen

eclectic

08-15-2006, 07:26 AM

I test drove the element because I liked the easy care interior. What I didn't like was how the seats folded up and reduced visibility.

I went with the CRV and LOVE it!. I can fit 2 bikes inside but instead I have a 3 bike/ski rack that mounts on the hitch, I can load and unload bikes in less than 5 minutes

If I was going to get a new vehicle now I would get another CRV or a Toyota Rav (the new ones are nicer than the old ones)

MomOnBike

08-15-2006, 07:47 AM

Well, at least you manage to get a bike in the Sebring. With the rear spoiler, our bike rack doesn't fit, and I'd hesitate to put top racks on that little car. Add to the mix that fact that we have not one, but two LWB recumbents, and, um, we're looking into trailers.

Except I think the car is underpowered for a trailer...

I am NOT pleased.

emily_in_nc

08-15-2006, 05:51 PM

I have the 2004 element...the green one.
I LOVE it..

Me too! I have the same year and color as you, and I love it too! :D

It's a perfect bike mobile!

Emily

emily_in_nc

08-15-2006, 05:57 PM

I test drove the element because I liked the easy care interior. What I didn't like was how the seats folded up and reduced visibility.

You're right about that. I won't drive it that way. If we want to haul 2+ bikes upright, we remove the seats. It can be hard to store them in the garage, so hubby made a pulley system with ropes to haul them up to the garage ceiling and store them up there. We don't put them back in all that often, b/c it is a pain, but without them, the cargo area is cavernous! I am sure we could get four bikes in upright, though we've never had to.

Emily