Can you get a Trials bike (4RT) in the back diagonally with tailgate up or is it tailgate down?

Can you get 2 bikes in with tailgate down

Is loading easy enough on the higher bed, compared to an average barn door van ?

Just thinking about a pickup over the Van

Any other downsides ? (except the obvious lack of security & bike on view etc)

Edited February 14, 201511 yr by johnnyboxer

If using a pick up don't overlook getting a load of road salt on ye bikes in the winter. Power washer job as soon as ye get home. As I found out the hard way!

If using a pick up don't overlook getting a load of road salt on ye bikes in the winter. Power washer job as soon as ye get home. As I found out the hard way!

Mmm - yep I overlooked that

Guess it's like a trailer

Van is luxury on that score

I was thinking to sell Van & Car (Honda CRV diesel, which can my box trailer, if needed) & just get get one 4wd pickup

Edited February 15, 201511 yr by johnnyboxer

Johnny, you'd miss the van mate, pickups are good but once you've owned a van there's no going back.

It's nicer to stand in a van in the rain to get changed than on the back of a pick-up!

Plus could you make a brew in the back of a pick up whilst it's chucking down - cus ya can in a van

Hi Johnnyboxer

About the Hilux, I've owned one in Australia and after some time back in the UK I know you have the same bodied models over there, maybe different motors.

A bike will go in diagonally with the tailgate up and you can get two bikes in with the tailgate down and if you reverse one in the middle of them you can get three in.

If its a 4wd version then you need a ramp to get them up, either push them or ride up, its too difficult to lift them in you would need three guys.

The 2wd version is lower and you only need a strong plank of wood.

I didn't like the fuel consumption of the Hilux, it had the 4 litre petrol motor over here so I got rid of it and I now run a Mitsubishi Triton dual cab ute which takes the same load but only uses 8 litres per 100 kms with the 2.5 diesel motor.

After riding in 30c+ over here and knowing the weather over there I think you would be better with a low roof van like the other guys suggest.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Galps

Thanks chaps, the van has lots of uses and benefits, had it 11 years (Toyota) & I guess I'd miss it, like you say

Main thing is security, you can stop at a shop on the way home from a trial or in the services and nobody knows your bikes inside

With a pickup, it's all on display

Only bonus with a 4wd is muddy venues I guess

Thanks for the tips

I've been tempted more than once by a Land Rover Defender 110 hardtop, for mountain bikes & the trials bike. I wouldn't need the off road capability 99% of the time, I just like them!

But I am a bit concerned about getting the trials bike through the back door. For the mountain bikes it would be a breeze.

Has anyone any experience or thoughts?

Getting a trials bike through the LR back door would be a bit of a chore

we have a couple of lads with landies take pre 65 heavy metal in landies, one in the back of a 90 hardtop.. one in the back of a brand new lwb station wagon the most practical tho is the 110 hi cap just need a proper ramp and somebody to help..

we have a couple of lads with landies take pre 65 heavy metal in landies, one in the back of a 90 hardtop.. one in the back of a brand new lwb station wagon the most practical tho is the 110 hi cap just need a proper ramp and somebody to help..

How on earth do you get a trials bike in the back of a 90 hardtop? I can get my mountain bike in one diagonally, but really the best bet is to drop the front wheel out & clamp the front drop outs on top of one of the wheel boxes, so the bike(s) sit sideways in the back.

Best setup is a 4x4 and a fully enclosed trailer IMHO. Took mine through a creek Sunday.... 3 motorcycles onboard. A 2 wheel drive might not have made it up the bank with trailer weight.

Mags

Well I did get the Hilux last year

 

But ....... I did keep my Van as it only worth £1500 and I could not get a box trailer get that 

 

Glad I kept the van