Travelling with Folding e-Bikes inside PVC

[SteveInLeicester]

So, I'm close to pulling the pin and ordering a new PVC - probably a 6.4m rear-lounged Consort Oslo. The trouble being that two folded e-Bikes, think MiRider, will not fit in the boot space. (Sorry, new to this - can't call it a garage yet!). Now, I would really like to avoid an external carrier, mainly for security reasons, so I'm thinking inside the box...

• Two folded bikes, in storage bags, kept in the rear lounge for travel and then plonked on the driver and passenger seats when parked.
• I would add suitable anchor points and ensure they were secured firmly in place.
• It would be a pain, but this would be the compromise to have the bikes safely stored and readily accessible.

Has anyone else tried this? Or is there a massive flaw in the plan?

 

[gpat]

It's fine. I regularly used to travel with my bike in the van. Folding e bike should be even easier. Never thought about strapping it down but yes it's a consideration as they are quite heavy. When driving they would be best right behind the front seats. In the event if the crash they would just push against thee seats. No opportunity to take flight

 

[Howard B]

Our last van was a PVC & we tried folding bikes in the living area.
It was a PITA, so opted for a rear sliding carrier. Bikes & carrier only went in the van for ferries to keep the length under 7m.
Bikes were well secured with chains, locks and Vanbitz alarm bike loop when on the rack.

 

[SteveInLeicester]

It's fine. I regularly used to travel with my bike in the van. Folding e bike should be even easier. Never thought about strapping it down but yes it's a consideration as they are quite heavy. When driving they would be best right behind the front seats. In the event if the crash they would just push against thee seats. No opportunity to take flight

I was thinking at the top of the 'U' of the lounge seating, so up against bulkheads, so they were out of the way until we wanted the lounge. But that could be a good shout, so will think on. Ta.

 

[SteveInLeicester]

Our last van was a PVC & we tried folding bikes in the living area.
It was a PITA, so opted for a rear sliding carrier. Bikes & carrier only went in the van for ferries to keep the length under 7m.
Bikes were well secured with chains, locks and Vanbitz alarm bike loop when on the rack.

That's the fall-back option should the pain proves too grate (sic). As long as not inherently dangerous I guess I'll try and see, and can always go down the carrier route. I like the idea of in-board for ferries - hadn't thought of that. Ta.

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[Ridgeway]

Someone on here keeps their two Bromptons folded up and in open top storage containers under the bed. Brommies are small though.

 

[yorkiebar]

Are you 100% sure the MiRiders won't fit in the Consort boot ? It is pretty big and I thought I'd seen some photos/video of MiRiders in the boot ( could have been another folding bike though).

 

[carolyn]

We were at Consort on Monday getting a couple of bits done on our Consort Oslo and funnily enough I’m sure when I popped to the loo I saw a couple of M-riders in the corner of the showroom. It might be worth an email to Scot about whether they’d fit. If you get photos I’d love to see please.

 

[SteveInLeicester]

Are you 100% sure the MiRiders won't fit in the Consort boot ? It is pretty big and I thought I'd seen some photos/video of MiRiders in the boot ( could have been another folding bike though).

When folded the MiRiders are >40cm, the height of the boot so, in theory, won't fit. However, we are booked in at Consort next week, and Scot offered to let us try with his, so we'll see. That said, I'm thinking I'll need the boot space for other stuff anyway - ramps, chairs and tables, BBQ, dirty boots, etc etc, so I assume the available boot space is likely to be limited.

 

[SteveInLeicester]

We were at Consort on Monday getting a couple of bits done on our Consort Oslo and funnily enough I’m sure when I popped to the loo I saw a couple of M-riders in the corner of the showroom. It might be worth an email to Scot about whether they’d fit. If you get photos I’d love to see please.

Hah - see my reply above. I'll see how we get on with Scot's.

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[carolyn]

Hah - see my reply above. I'll see how we get on with Scot's.

We love our van, it’s very wonderful. We picked it up in August last year and less than 3 weeks later caught the ferry and travelled to Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and back. It’s our 3rd U-shaped lounge but the best without a doubt!

 

[CazPaul]

You would get sick of doing it and it may damage furniture etc

I would think again and get a more suitable pvc

 

[PlacidoD]

I have a MiRider One GB3 (which in my case fits in my garage without folding - it gets folded when in the boot of the car). My though process if acquiring a PVC with no garage would be to fold the handlebars and stem down and remove the seat post for travel resting the bike on its side stand before securing.

P.S. The GB3 with its carbon fibre belt is likely a better bet than an oily chain on the single gear model if storing in the van.

 

[Riverbankannie]

So, I'm close to pulling the pin and ordering a new PVC - probably a 6.4m rear-lounged Consort Oslo. The trouble being that two folded e-Bikes, think MiRider, will not fit in the boot space. (Sorry, new to this - can't call it a garage yet!). Now, I would really like to avoid an external carrier, mainly for security reasons, so I'm thinking inside the box...

• Two folded bikes, in storage bags, kept in the rear lounge for travel and then plonked on the driver and passenger seats when parked.
• I would add suitable anchor points and ensure they were secured firmly in place.
• It would be a pain, but this would be the compromise to have the bikes safely stored and readily accessible.

Has anyone else tried this? Or is there a massive flaw in the plan?

We can get 2 folded Bromptons under the bed at the back in our IH which is similar to a Consort layout I believe. They are e-bike versions.

 

[SteveInLeicester]

I have a MiRider One GB3 (which in my case fits in my garage without folding - it gets folded when in the boot of the car). My though process if acquiring a PVC with no garage would be to fold the handlebars and stem down and remove the seat post for travel resting the bike on its side stand before securing.

Yes, need to have a play. It also occurred to me that not folding the handlebars down might solve the width (height when on its side) issue. So, with suitable padding, might be able to get 2 in, interlaced.

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[canopus]

Get one of these :-

Debon C255 Box Van Black

Brand new in and available is the latest shape of the Debon C255 Box Van Trailer finished with anodised aluminium side walls and black roof

www.jswhorseboxes.co.uk

 

[PlacidoD]

Get one of these :-

Debon C255 Box Van Black

Brand new in and available is the latest shape of the Debon C255 Box Van Trailer finished with anodised aluminium side walls and black roof

www.jswhorseboxes.co.uk

That will do wonders for the ferry charges!!!

 

[canopus]

Surprisingly not.
Newhaven-Dieppe with 6.4mt van, trailer, dog, two adults was £268 return.
Outbound Dec 24, return March 25.
That’s the discounted price - over 65.

 

[EuroTrotters]

I need to see a consort ! What is it ?

 

[canopus]

A panel van converted in Leeds.

Welcome To Consort | Consort Motorhomes

consortmotorhomes.co.uk

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[ToGoldlyBo]

I have a completely different van but have no garage storage. I have two foldable e-bikes. I can strap them down inside, I've fitted anchor points. At night I can chain the bikes outside to the rear axle with a rain cover. But it is a real pain. Every time we move the van, I have to shift the bikes and tie them down. So I am now looking at hinged towbar tracks as we have a huge rear opening door. I'm tired of lugging bikes!!!!

 

[PlacidoD]

Surprisingly not.
Newhaven-Dieppe with 6.4mt van, trailer, dog, two adults was £268 return.
Outbound Dec 24, return March 25.
That’s the discounted price - over 65.

Granted the ferry fare increase is modest but you are still paying more. I paid £182 return last September and that was travelling on the peak price service on each day that I travelled.
DFDS price band is up to 7.00 metres and you are declaring a trailer under 4 metres. That adds about £10 each way on DFDS and I am sure will add significantly more on other ferries.

You are also imposing speed limits and lane restrictions on your driving and giving yourself problems reversing.

 

[hja]

We don’t have bikes but do have small folding mobility scooters. When we had our previous van, a coachbuilt, we only had one scooter and it was a real pain taking it in and out and it was difficult not to damage furniture. It was not just on sites/park ups but also difficult when stopping en route and wanting to make a meal or drink. It was one of the reasons for changing our van to a 6.4 m pvc to a Globecar with large garage and plenty of space for our now two scooters. But we have fixed beds and a dinette. I would suggest you physically check if your bikes will fit in the garage and if not, think again.

 

[cyberyacht]

I need to see a consort ! What is it ?

 

[SteveInLeicester]

Get one of these :-

Debon C255 Box Van Black

Brand new in and available is the latest shape of the Debon C255 Box Van Trailer finished with anodised aluminium side walls and black roof

www.jswhorseboxes.co.uk

Nope. Not for me. I think I'd rather learn to ride a unicycle.

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[TheMachMan]

How about a PVC with fixed rear bed, you get a lot of storage underneath for folding bikes plus all the other gubbins. We’re looking to change our van soon, Consort is on the list but I do have concerns they give enough storage compared to our current Malibu…….

 

[SteveInLeicester]

How about a PVC with fixed rear bed, you get a lot of storage underneath for folding bikes plus all the other gubbins. We’re looking to change our van soon, Consort is on the list but I do have concerns they give enough storage compared to our current Malibu…….

She says "Rear U-shaped lounge, or we no go campervanning".

 

[CAB96]

How about a PVC with fixed rear bed, you get a lot of storage underneath for folding bikes plus all the other gubbins. We’re looking to change our van soon, Consort is on the list but I do have concerns they give enough storage compared to our current Malibu…….

Lots of storage with a rear bed Euro layout, but you lose what Riverbankannie memorably called "feet-up lounging".

For many, including me when we move to a bigger van, it's a deal breaker.

 

[Ernesto]

This …

I would think again and get a more suitable pvc

Our 6.4m PVC garage takes 2 Bromptons, a table, 2 chairs, inflatable double kayak and lifevests/paddles etc, bbq…. And isnt completely full
You dont want to be storing them on the front seats or in the living area

 

[555 FRY]

We found it a nightmare trying to carry Bromptons in a rear lounge Ducato LWB they more or less filled the garage area and were a complete pain inboard.

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