Bike Van - Recommendations

Johnny Utah

Johnny Utah

Well-Known Member
What it is homies.

Work has me all over the State, in both good and not so great areas. I am thinking of buying a van that I can keep the bikes in so I can fit a ride in during my travels. Thinking no windows out back - two seats - basic sheet.

Sleeping is not needed.

Fitting two full size MX bikes in it would also be a plus.

I like the RAM Promaster City, which was just discontinued - mileage and space are there, but is it worth it to go slightly bigger?

I drove a quad cab Diesel Ram for years and am now in a 14 Camry - the small car is a breathe of fresh air in the city, so I am thinking I want to stay small.

If gas mileage gets low (like piss Greta off low) I may just got back to a truck so I can tow a car trailer.

I have zero interest in electric as this vehicle will go across the country at least once a year.

Fitting my wife’s trike in it would also be good when she gets out of hand down at the VFW. The cops said I can’t put it on top of the Camry anymore.

3CFAF40C-E17B-45B3-8C41-2DB38D239D34.jpeg
 
How about Ford Transits? I see them all over the place. You could get a commercial version that would have plenty of room in the back.
 
Johnny Utah said:
I am down with the transit - the Transit Connect arguably will not fit two MX bikes.

Open to hearing from people that have something in the Transit series.
Click to expand...
I've got the best of both worlds with this setup. '23 Transit Crew AWD 148in WB, mid roof, Ecoboost engine. Also just discontinued. Bikes, gear and inflatable kayaks inside. Queen size bed, AC, heat, hot water, kitchen and wet bath inside the camper. Gets about 14-16mpg when towing.
20230723_153635.jpg
 
Mercedes Metris. Riding buddy has one 👍 fits three bikes in back while maintaining the middle row for riders and gear. Very versatile
 
The "fit two MX bikes" is the issue here. That basically means "I need a full-size van". Pick your poison: Ram Pro Master, Ford Transit, GM Express, M-B, used E-series, etc... All have their pros and cons.

If you only need to haul bicycles, then any minivan will work well. I am working in NH these days and living out of a hotel room, so I carry bikes in a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan GT. I do remove the front wheels and pedals off the mtn bikes, but my road/gravel bike fits inside complete. I have foam pads between the bikes and use a ratchet strap to secure them from one of the seat belt parts to a latch loop in the floor for the rear stow-n-go seats.

There is much debate over the best minivan. I chose the GC for two simple reasons: 1. they made over two million of the '08 to '20 5th generation, so used ones are cheap to buy. 2 - because they made so many, parts and repair costs are also cheap and any corner garage mechanic has worked on them. Is it the best driving experience? No. But it's a minivan, that's not what I bought it for. That said, the VVT V6 puts out 280 HP and the van will definitely get out of its own way with authority. The GT trim (was made for rental fleet sales, but is also the same as the R/T trim package) is comfortable, well optioned and the van eats up hwy miles like that's what it was designed for - which is was.

Another thing about minivans - they are quite stealthy and nobody looks at it and thinks about how the three bikes I have inside are worth more than the van.

A 2" receiver is available for the GC, and I know from experience that a fairly light MX bike (I hauled a DRZ400) will hang off the back on the Harbor-Freight moto carrier like it's not there (although if I were to do that regularly I'd add trailer lights to the carrier with a 4-pin as the bike almost completely blocks the van tail lights).
 
Last edited:
I just want to chime in here in regards to one specific vehicle, the Ram Pro Master. Stay away from this vehicle, we started using them as fleet vehicles until the problems started. Everything from engines to multiple transmission issues on these things. Complete garbage, even have a buddy who has one for personal use, trailers his motorcycle all over. He's had the same issues, engine replacement and now the trans is acting up. This all happens under 100K miles of use. We have since switched over to the Mercedes which have been work horses.
 
So im not a van life person.....just not something im interested in...But when I see these vans and see how expensive they are....I mean Transits are $60,000 for one that you wouldnt want to live in...I see fitted out ones selling for well over 100k....Just made me wonder why people arent interested in motorhomes. I mean you can get a REALLY nice used motorhome that you could park a sprinter inside of for 50k.
 
UtahJoe said:
So im not a van life person.....just not something im interested in...But when I see these vans and see how expensive they are....I mean Transits are $60,000 for one that you wouldnt want to live in...I see fitted out ones selling for well over 100k....Just made me wonder why people arent interested in motorhomes. I mean you can get a REALLY nice used motorhome that you could park a sprinter inside of for 50k.
Click to expand...
Yes you are correct on that price. Transit is currently a daily driver. The built out camper vans are closer to $200k now. We chose to do it with the trailer so we don't have to break down camp every time we want to go explore the area. Class A (bus size) tow a car, Class B (Sprinter), and Class C (the $50k models) are all nice. My friend has a 10yr Class C that sounds like it's rattling it's self apart when driving down the road.
 
Last edited:
UtahJoe said:
So im not a van life person.....just not something im interested in...But when I see these vans and see how expensive they are....I mean Transits are $60,000 for one that you wouldnt want to live in...I see fitted out ones selling for well over 100k....Just made me wonder why people arent interested in motorhomes. I mean you can get a REALLY nice used motorhome that you could park a sprinter inside of for 50k.
Click to expand...
Couple of reasons.

The main one RVs generally suck when it comes to secure (inside) bike hauling. It's as if RV manufacturers cannot fathom why someone would want to keep a bicycle inside and out of the elements. There are a couple of add-on lockers, but those are only really good for two bikes at most. A couple of them have rear garages, but often at the expense of bed space or access to interior storage - essentially meant to arrive at a destination, remove the bikes, then set up the bed - not good for times when you might want to do a multi-day drive and stop for the night to sleep. The Winnebago Ekko is one of the few RVs with a rear "garage" of sorts that is completely separated from the living area. The Ekko is also new and expensive.

The van-based RV's are generally more maneuverable than a tradition Class A or C RV. I don't want to think about trying to park even a smaller Class C RV at a lot like Allaire when it's a busy weekend. Even an extended Transit or Sprinter isn't much larger than the typical pickup trucks you'll see parked there.

Then there is the build-quality/longevity issues JDurk mentioned above.
 
TommyF said:
I just want to chime in here in regards to one specific vehicle, the Ram Pro Master. Stay away from this vehicle, we started using them as fleet vehicles until the problems started. Everything from engines to multiple transmission issues on these things. Complete garbage, even have a buddy who has one for personal use, trailers his motorcycle all over. He's had the same issues, engine replacement and now the trans is acting up. This all happens under 100K miles of use. We have since switched over to the Mercedes which have been work horses.
Click to expand...
I think the big issue with the Pro Master is the FWD drivetrain FCA chose for it, which is pretty much lifted from the Grand Caravan. It's generally fine in the lighter GC, but in a loaded up full-sized work van - questionable at best. Stressing the transmission is why I have waffled on buying a small RV trailer like JDurk has. There are one or two that could serve my needs with my remote work (there's an RV park not too far from the site), but I fear the transmission would explode pulling it up some of the larger hills after a few trips.
 
Ian F said:
I think the big issue with the Pro Master is the FWD drivetrain FCA chose for it, which is pretty much lifted from the Grand Caravan. It's generally fine in the lighter GC, but in a loaded up full-sized work van - questionable at best. Stressing the transmission is why I have waffled on buying a small RV trailer like JDurk has. There are one or two that could serve my needs with my remote work (there's an RV park not too far from the site), but I fear the transmission would explode pulling it up some of the larger hills after a few trips.
Click to expand...
It's also the engine position that we think is causing valve train failures. The same engine in our Ram pick ups have been fine. But in the Pro Master, it's angle is different and we "think" this might be the cause of poor lubrication. Either way, the Pro Masters have been a total headache, it surprises me to see so many on the road.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom