Getting the bike to the track - questions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 40275
  • Start date Start date
e90 said:
wow thanks a lot guys..

My options are:

1) To load it into the van... (only cons with this.. a) I'm terrified of dropping the bike off the steep ramps b) the cheapest ramps I could find were the same price as getting a hitch (150-200$) -- any suggestions on a cheap ramp?

2) Getting a hitch and just renting a trailer for $20 a day.. easier load/unload
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Get one of these for $10 http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/extruded-aluminum-ramp-plate-8-in-0405927p.html and bolt on a wood board.

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I used a 2x8 and it would buckle in the middle, so I put a floor stand under the board (you can see it in the back of the van) to keep it level and give me all the clearance I needed. You could use a 2x10 or 2x12 instead if you prefered. Total cost $20 and as you can see it's a very shallow ramp angle with an 8 ft board. Even if you're very short you can clutch-slip the bike up the ramp in 1st and then just turn off the key when the bike is most of the way in. The bike won't roll back because it's still in gear. Then step inside and pull the bike in the rest if the way.

Do not get those hitch mount carriers for the minivan. In fact I don't like the idea of them at all, but they would destroy the van.
 
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One thing about the ramp plates on a van; don't screw it to the plank with nuts as they will stick through the underside of the ramp and dig into your bumper when you lay it on the door sill.
I threaded the alu. plate and screwed directly into it, then just shaved off the protruding bits.
View attachment 34049
Also you'll want an eye bolt there to hook the strap to when loading. That's it.
 
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e90 said:
I guess my options are to rent a van.. however, that would mean paying through the nose for mileage etc.

Apart from my car.. I do have access to a Honda Odysey minivan.. so I'm looking at possibly getting a trailer hitch installed for that... I'm pretty clueless as to what I need/where to get it. It looks like I would need a trailer hitch and a trailer ball as well as electric connectors for lights. Combined that looks like about $200-$250 worth of parts.. I'll also rather get everything professionally installed.. I'm guessing it would be an hour of labour? $130-$150 or so?
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If the van is nice and particularly if the van is not yours (you don't want to risk doing damage to the interior), go with the hitch and trailer provided that you have somewhere to store the trailer. Hitch City, U-haul, etc will install the hitch and wiring for you ... call them for a price; expect the total to be $300-ish if they install it. Trailer is up to you, there are lots of choices.
 
Ha, my van came with a hitch and wiring but I never even bothered to use them for my bike. Why bother when I can just tuck everything inside?
 
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