Plans have changed somewhat for my trip to WDW this year, as two others dropped out so now I only need to take two bikes in a van with me. My question is, does anyone have any experience of transporting TWO bikes in a SWB? Will they fit or would I need the LWB version. I've carted plenty of bikes in vans around but only ever one at a time. I've got to take my Panigale and the wife's Monster with me, so wondering what would be best. As you can see from the picture this is a SWB, which hasn't much room given the wheel arch boxed sections. Naturally my bike would be further over to the right, if I was loading the Monster as well, as I would want both front wheels up against the bulkhead, but it doesn't seem possible with the layout. Any advice gratefully received, if you have some nuggets to share. I suppose I could stagger them, but I would want something to support the front wheel of the Monster, to stop the bike moving forwards under braking, not just the tie downs.
Seems such a shame to have a beast like that and have it caged all the way to Italy!! I am sure that it would want to ride there!!!!!
I have gotten two bikes in a Renault Trafic van plenty of times to go to track days but it leaves little room for putting in lots of gear if you need to. The last time I hired a van I was offered the latest Transit model but declined as the strapping\hold down points were less than the Trafic. The wheelbase of the new Transit short wheelbase is a fraction longer than the short wheelbase Trafic. Certainly the difference between long and short wheelbase versions of the Trafic is actually very little about 14 inches so I doubt the Transit is much better. I use Enterprise van hire as they are local to me, and also their rates are quite decent, and again the cheapest locally. However the difference between hiring a short wheelbase Trafic is £28 (or less) per day compared to £44. Quite ridiculous but because the larger van category also includes the Renault Master model for the same price, good possibly for those that want a much larger van for whatever they need it for. I can see it then makes more sense as to price differential.
Put the front wheels into the corners with a slight twist of the bars, then put a strap from the bars into the corner pulling the forks down, that way the bike can't possibly move forward. You can get two bikes in side by side (maybe put bit of padding between bikes and side of van) quite easily, that leaves a fair bit of room in the centre between bikes. I get two sport skies in my T5 as described with enough kit for two for track days, including spare wheels and a gene. Top tip ' Don't over complicate things' and 'use a bit of common sense'.
Thanks Drinky. Was this in a SWB transit? I may have to remove the mirrors from the Monster or fold them inwards. Also my bike has bar end mirrors which may need removing.
Don't know what a T5 is, so just googled it. As you can tell I'm not a van afficionado. Not many local rental companies offer European cover or allow you to take their vehicles overseas, so my choice is limited
Ha ha, it's the overpriced but very nice VW. You might want to put a ratchet strap from the side of the van (as high as possible) over the seat and onto the frame thereby you pull the front forward by the strap on the bars and the second strap keeps the bike upright and into the side of the van.
Using eurohire in Brighton, for this year's hols to dolomites with mts 1200 in back of vw crafter,high roof,about 1000 for 2 weeks hire
You can get two easily in an empty master. I have one and have had two bikes plus full spares and tools for trackday/racing kit, camping, gennie....that was a gixer 1000 and a panigale. Reckon I could get my multi and daytona in with my semi-fixed camping unit taken out
SWB VW transporter T4 set up LWB VW transporter T5 set up Wheel chokes in ! 1st bike in Turnbuckles…cheap version of the “CINCH” 2nd one in ….not the best looking shot of my behind Some more stuff
I used to transport my bikes back and forth to Germany in a Transit swb. Monster and a 996, no wheel chocks i just butted the front wheels against the bulkhead which had tie points as standard. I could easilly secure both bikes with just 3 straps. Just need to be carefull in tiedown stage.
Thanks one and all for the pictures and advice. Going with the SWB and two front chocks, possibly bolted to a board, though if the chocks are up against the bulkhead, not sure I will need to but if staggered, will probably go with a similar set-up to Obelix. If I take the mirrors off the monster or rotate them inwards, I think I should have enough room.
I have a wheel chock bolted to some ply so its totally removable,if you cut the ply to the width of the van then screw some 2x2 to the ply and brace it to the wheel arches to stop the ply moving,works a treat as it makes strapping the bike down a easy task,i have a t5 but have a glass rack taking up approx 1/4 of the floor space and managed to get my 848 and my mates R1 in,we top and tailed the bikes and it worked well.
SWB will be fine for two bikes. No need to bolt the chocks down as long as the chock is up against the bulkhead and you use the handlebar type ratchet system down to the tie downs, it keeps the bikes pushed into the chock and bulkhead. Also the straps do not need to be really tight like when using a trailer. Just enough to load the front slightly, the chock does most of the work for you. Dont worry about the rear of the bike it wont go anywhere, especially if you have stuff between the bikes. Used this method a lot and never had a bike move an inch. Chocks are a god send because you do not have to try and hold the bike upright whilst tightening or losening the straps.
