What is the perfect bike hauling vehicle?

**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

Originally Posted by tatormc

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!

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

**RoadRaven** · 12-09-2005, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by tlkiwi

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...

maybe if I go grab some dags outta the woolshed...

**Irulan** · 12-09-2005, 10:30 AM

you need a version of this:

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

Originally Posted by Irulan

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

Originally Posted by Irulan

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.!

Thread: What is the perfect bike hauling vehicle?

Thread Tools

Display

Nissan Murano

Posting Permissions