17' Series Stowing bicycles inside van

[DWWood]

Hey guys, did a brief search but couldn't find anything specific.

Anyone here transport their bikes inside the van? Waiting for new car before purchasing roof mounted bike rails so was looking for ideas on where and how to strap then inside the van whilst travelling.

Cheers. DW.

 

[WHHEMI]

We have traveled with our bikes on our bed in previous vans but not really an option if you have an expanda, I would say it's not a good idea as anything the bike touches it will damage.

 

[NoWorries]

We tried to put them in the van for a couple of trips and it was a major pain.

 

[Smergen]

We travelled with ours inside the van a few times. We simply laid them down in the middle and made sure that they were wedged in with towels/bags or the like. Took care taking them in and out, but we never had an issue with marking or damage. Should point out that this was only on sealed roads. I wouldn't want them shaking around on dirt corrugations and the like.

 

[Dobbie]

I've seen someone set up a "channel" on the floor of the van with tie down points for two bikes.

Not something I'd do but he found it worked for him.

I'd be worried about tripping over anything set in to the floor

 

[twscoot]

Here's what I did @DWWood from a previous post.
Works a treat when I need to take four bikes. (Three on the car roof).
Photos copied below.

 

[DWWood]

Like your work @twscoot food for thought.

Only got a couple of kids mountain bikes so was thinking of laying them down somewhere and strapping them in somehow.

 

[pauljygrant]

Or just upgrade to a Basestation!

 

[DWWood]

Haha, like your thinking to @pauljygrant that's our option when the kids are gone and I can fit my Harley in the back

 

[bigcol]

I have only dragged my bike away with us twice
first time on the roof rack of the car - pain getting it up there, pain getting it down
2nd time, I gently fed it through the door, and wheeled it back towards the front bed, wrapped a spare sheet around it, and wedged it with some bags and stuff

never moved, was ok
but I am still thinking of a better way

 

[Matty4]

I've had 4 bikes on the roof but couldn't fit the fifth one on. Put it in the van and strapped it down using occy straps and an old blanket to the bunk bed ladder. Didn't move at all.
It was only a small BMX though and was only on sealed roads.

 

[Delano]

I've had two mountain bikes and a BMX in our 16-49-4.
Wrapped a blanket over them and a short rope around the table leg.
It makes more room if you loosen the goose neck and turn the handle bars sideways.

Just remember to tighten them up before the kids take them for a ride....
Whoops no hands..

 

[Base23]

Or just upgrade to a Basestation!

Like this. 4 bikes fit easy.

 

[Delano]

@Base23 you could fit a small car in there....

Like this. 4 bikes fit easy.
View attachment 44205 View attachment 44206

 

[Base23]

@Base23 you could fit a small car in there....

We were in Coober pedy with the van a few weeks ago and there was a mini that my boys wanted to buy and we said that it may fit in the back.

 

[WHHEMI]

Just to add to the carying bikes discusion a bit more we ordered our 17.55.8 OB Journey with this from the factory, not sure if they would work on an Expanda but it makes life easy when it comes to carying up to 4 bikes.

 

[DWWood]

Looks like I'm storing in the van for the time being, until the new car arrives at least then I'll do the roof rack thingy

 

[pauljygrant]

Have you considered taking the front wheels off to reduce their size? Could you stack them in the rear of the car if you removed the wheels?

 

[Matty4]

I'm sure I've seen a photo or heard of someone who ordered their HL Expanda with the Fiamma bike rack fitted to it. The lid had reinforced points on the inside where the mounts came through.
You could probably do something similar with some aluminium plate and some Sikaflex

 

[DWWood]

Bought a steel roof basket thingy. I'll throw the bikes up there. Might even mount some bike rail things to the basket so I can stand the bikes up & carry the spare tyre for the van up there as well as other things.

Seeing as Windsor won't return my emails about buying a fold down spare wheel bracket (I was going to mount to the rear) I can then use the spare wheel holder to carry firewood.