How to transport bikes easily and with little hass

[LoneStar]

Hello everyone,

I have a trailer,for transporting my bikes for riding. It works, but it is kind of a pain to deal with a trailer and when the bikes are on it, they aren't exactly secure when we stop for lunch. Rain can be a bitch too.

I have been thinking about a van, or a pickup with an oversize camper but haven't found the "right" solution as of yet.

I would like to have a cargo van with no rear windows or something of the sort so the bikes are out of the weather and not paraded to everyone for 200 miles around when we go riding. I have had two bikes stolen and am probably more concerned with this type of thing than the average rider.

My KTM has an overall height of 54". I have yet to find a van or anything similar that will allow sufficient clearance for easily loading and unloading the bikes.

I have looked an enclosed trailers, but I really don't want to spend the bucks for one if I can avoid it.

What do you guys do ? Any ideas or suggestions on the best option to get bikes to and from riding ?

Thanks

LoneStar

 

[Milquetoast]

If you can wait for the right one to come along, get a used enclosed trailer for $1000 or so. Check on ebay and all the classified ad websites.

 

[ADS]

I second that. You are way more likely to get more usage from a $1000 trailer than with a similarly priced van--there's not that much stuff that can go wrong with an enclosed trailer--but a van with a zillion miles could have many little gremlins.

Just get used to a trailer--its not all that bad.

 

[mx547]

enclosed trailers are a godsend. i rode for about 15 years, hauling stuff around in the back of my truck, worrying about it getting stolen, rained on, blown out, etc. i got an enclosed trailer two years ago and i'm still kicking myself for waiting so long.

i will admit, i've never seen a decent one for $1000 though. if you do, buy it.

 

[Highbeam]

I have an open utility trailer and I agree that trailering can be a hassle at times. Like if you want to stop for a bite on the way home from riding and the parking lot is tight. Or if your travels require you to back up a long ways. Even tearing down at night when you get home can be a hassle. The benefits are pretty good though. An empty bed (canopy on mine)for gear or sleeping in. Using the open trailer for all of the other things hauling rock and bark, furniture, etc.

If I had plenty of cash, yeah right, and no need to haul anything else in the open top trailer I would go for an extended 3/4 ton or higher conversion van in good shape and dependable. The panel vans are a little more suspiscious and people thing you are growing drugs inside or luring children. Plus they wonder what's inside. Tint the windows and apply some expanded steel behind them. Put up a divider wall between the cargo area and the cab so the windshield isn't a window into your den. You can store tools and even a bunk in the room offered by a big ol' van. When you get home you can just park it and roll into bed.

The conversion vans are usually better insulated for road noise and heat and also have luxury items like AC and cruise control. Also they can be cheaper with less hard miles. 3/4 ton and up have tougher components that are less likely to be spent in 100,0000 miles.

 

[ADS]

I got my 5x8 enclosed for $800. It holds two bikes plus gear perfectly and doesn't work my 4.0 Jeep too hard.

 

[MX-727]

I know what you're going through. I went with an enclosed for the same security reasons and I still make sure I can see it when I stop to eat. Those security concerns are also the reason I don't have any stickers on the trailer.

 

[CrazyTed]

I have an open utility trailer and I drilled holes in the deck near the axles. I run a Krpytonite cable lock throught the bike frame, through the hole in the deck, under the axle, back up through another hole and back to the bike frame. Their gonna have to work to get it.

 

[Highbeam]

Great but then what's stopping them from adding sugar to your tank? or other vandalism against the terrible enviro killers?

I can lock the ramp of my trailer in the up position so nobody could roll the big XR away. I would give someone a dollar if they could lift that pig over the 2' rails.