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On The TrackHad a trackday, a good or bad day at the track? Want to get started racing? Just like racing? Cmon insde and post questions, results or comments.
I'm going to a track day next week, and while I usually just rent a trailer, this time it's just me and my ZX-14. I was thinking of renting a cargo van from Enterprise instead, easier parking and much better theft protection. These are regular passenger vans with seats removed and flat load floor configurations, not box-on-frames like U-haul vans.
I've looked at the interior dimensions on the Chevy/Ford web sites, and they all look ok - only thing that looks tight is the rear door opening height, which shows at 46.3 inches for the Ford and 48+ for the Chevy.
Are there other pros/cons/tips for loading into a cargo van? Tiedown points inside? Issues with gasoline fumes or anything?
The highest point on most bikes is the windshield, it wouldn't be that difficult to just take that off during loading/transport and put it back on at the track if so desired. Gasoline fumes could be a concern, I would keep the windows slightly open to keep fresh air in the van and definately don't smoke. I would ask the rental company what the van has for tie-down points, I believe alot of them have a point in each corner of the cargo area.
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My 'race hauler' is a 1986 Ford E350 'church' van. It's one of those 12-passenger road vans with all of the seats removed. We bolted in two Lockhart Phillips removable wheel chocks and some hefty D-rings to the floor to tie down to. Works TERRIFIC. The bikes are secure at out of state races, we can still pull a trailer if we need to, and a Queen size air mattress perfectly in the back. We can fit two bikes in the back without any problems at all, if we put the front two in a 'V', we could fit a 3rd, but our gear would be out in the rain.
As far as getting the bikes in, the rear door of a full size van is 49 inches tall (nearly EVERY van we looked at was that height). I can ride the bike into the van by laying down on the gas tank, and I still clear (I'm 6'4"). No need to remove parts except maybe a bellypan (we use a wide 4-wheeler ramp that isn't very long, steep angles).
I have had bikes in my parents conversion van with the rear seat out plenty of times. The only place it hit was the rear door lip, but it was lowered about 6" to fit some crap from the conversion in there. A cargo van does not have that.
I tied it down on the front to the drivers seat brackets and in the rear to the mounting points for the rear seat.
I have a 5'9" long set of ramps (which i am making 8' long in a couple weeks.... they are useless for my new truck, which is lifted 4" ), and it was NO problem with them. I could even do it myself.
I was actually looking for a diesel work van to buy, as it's nice to haul bikes in, and then you are covered in bad weather, too.
BUT- i have always hated doing engine work on vans. It's something i refuse to do anymore. So i went with a truck.
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Thanks for the info. I'm picking the van up in an hour and will see where to go from there. I can get a nice set of aluminum ramps from Harbor freight, or make a longer/cheaper set with 3 2x12's from the hardware store.
Ok, picked up the van this afternoon, along with 3 8' 2x12's and two 3' angle brackets. Screwed one of the brackets flush against one end, to hold everything together and keep the wood from being torn up by gravel/pavement. Screwed the other one over the other end so that it protrudes down about 3/4", making a nice lip for hooking solidly over the van bumper. Three feet is wide enough that you can get feet down on either side, so no need to balance off the bike while walking it up. Just paddled up slowly, plenty of clearance for the windscreen and enough clearance for my head.
go to Lowe's and get one of these ramps.
I paid $54 for it.
it's steel, it folds. its way nicer and stronger than a aluminum ramp and 100X better than a 2x8 or 2x10. and because it's arched you don't drag the bottom of the bike on the edge of the truck/van etc..
tractor supply also sells them.
Last edited by serpentracer : 10-02-2007 at 06:02 PM.
Loading in van (Econoline/Express)?
), and it was NO problem with them. I could even do it myself. 
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