I have toyota tundra with the crew cab. However the short second row. One can easily fit a bike with front wheel off in the back seat foot sections. Easy in and out. I am sure a roof top tent could be rigged up.

All sorts of companies doing that.

I have the truck for a few reasons. My kids are grown so the I don't need minivan anymore. If I am involved in accident I like the idea of having the mass around me. My uncle and aunt were killed in a head on with a truck three years ago. They were in a sedan. The truck driver walked away. I also own rural property and like the cargo capacity for wood and need high clearance to get on the land. With no bike in second row I can still transport five people

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They constantly try to escape from the darkness outside and within
Dreaming of systems so perfect that no one will need to be good T.S. Eliot

F150 crew cab. My 56 felt IA fit in the back seat (seats folded up)without taking any wheels off.

GMC Yukon XL Denali.

You can sleep inside it.

Ignore the haters and go for a Dodge Grand Caravan with the “Stow and Go” seats.

They’re pretty cheap and like a barn inside. I can throw a couple bikes and all my gear in the back and still lay down and grab a nap while waiting for the race to start.

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Same here - I have an F150 crew cab, and I can fit any road or tri bike in the back seat without removing any wheels. Just have to put the seats up. I can also fit a 29er mountain bike back there but have to remove the front wheel.

With a bed cover, I can also fit another bike in the bed and keep it out of sight. I realize why folks use exterior bike racks, but I really like having my bikes inside and/or out of sight, particularly if I’m traveling with bikes.

I’ve seen truck tents that go on a platform above the bed at the cabin level. In other words, you still get the use of the full height of your truck bed up to the roof of the main cabin. If I was truck camping, that’s what I would do.

A couple of years ago I had a race that was 4 hr away by car and my bike transport vehicle was in the shop. Rented the smallest SUV that would work, but they were out of that model when I showed up. Offered me what they had, including the Grand Carvan with Stow and Go seating. Phenomenal! So...much...space. Bike inside, wheels on plus all my gear and still tons of unused room. Could do two bikes / racers / gear pretty easily and very convenient. Of course, my DD is a Mazda MX-5 that I installed a trailer hitch on so I could use a hitch mount bike carrier. WAY less convenient than the Grand Caravan. But WAY more fun to drive during non-race days...

thumbs up this answer extra points for the bike

Subaru Outback. I can fit my bike with either one of the split back seat folded down and front wheel removed. Also installing a hitch was super easy. I use this with Kuat mostly for my MTB or when carrying multiple bikes.

Car comes with roof rack so not a problem with tent. I'm tempted to get one.

I have a 2016 Nissan Murano. 60-40 split rear seats with the ability to put a bike in with wheel removed. I just recently installed a trailer hitch and bought a Kuat rack, but before this, I had no problems putting the bike in the back with one seat folded down. You can also purchase a tent that fits nicely on the hatch or you could just as easily use a rooftop tent.

This is where I wish I still had my Honda Element. They had all kinds of gear you could mount on that thing and my gear easily fit inside. Alas, not many people wanted the box on wheels.

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I wish they still made the box on wheels

Honda Odyssey here. I took the middle section of the middle seat out. The outboard seats then slide inward. I rigged a Yakima base bar behind the middle seats with a tray on it so the bike (front wheel off) is facing the back, and I believe I could put a tray on each side, though that would make getting in the middle seat difficult. I never take the bike out unless I need to haul more than 4 people—and obviously to ride it. Like others have said, tons of room in today’s minivans with third rows that fold into the floor. I also keep a crate with my swim bag, tool kit, and pump, then all my sandbags are lined up across the back now that my gym is back on lockdown.

As for the tent on top, I’ve never seen one in person, though there’s at least one online. Odyssey is FWD only, so it’s not nearly the camping vehicle my 4Runner was, but the useable space for normal daily driving is much better.

Mercedes E wagon. Rear seat down and you can have two fully assembled bike. Tent, no problem. For bonus points and real off road capabilities, G class. Just avoid the G65.

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I have a Yukon XL also. Great for family road trips. I love the space for dogs and gear and kids and skiing and snow and off road travel. But for bike transport I think these large SUVs are not nearly as good as other options despite their interior size. I’ve tried several options.

1. Hitch mounted rack - not ideal. The main downside here is that a hitch mounted rack interferes with the rear camera. Yukons, like all large SUVs, have parking assist and proximity sensors which, along with the camera, all get negated by the rack. These features are necessary on a vehicle this size for safe operation and maneuvering in tight spaces. As stated by others bikes on external racks are also subject to theft and damage.
2. Inside - third row down. This vehicle has a nice sized third row. If I put it down I still have the full bench second row for passengers and decent room for gear. I had my bike mechanic rig a front fork clamp onto a 2x4 sized for the space. So I clamp the front wheel down and It keeps it nice and steady back there and I retain full lift gate access and rear camera/parking functions. I still have to store the wheel somewhere.
3. Inside - laying flat with wheels on. This is the easiest but it eats into the second row space. So family travel is impacted. This is what I do if I travel solo.
4. Roof mount. My least favorite option. It is uncomfortably high and too awkward to get a bike up there without a ladder. Even then I feel like I’m about to bite it or tear up my shoulders.

I have traveled to races with friends in a minivan and I think it is the best way to go hands down for convenience and bike hauling. Roll in / roll out; safe and super convenient.

Cheers,
-Doug

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It really depends on what else you want to do with it and where you are in the world.

For me the Mitsibishi Pajero is the perfect vehicle as the height means I can roll my road and TT bike in upright, and with front wheels on. I can also very easily leave the single seat up in the back, and so carry 3 bikes and 3 adults and all the clobber with space spare. I even managed once, to carry 3 people, 3 MTB, 3 Road bike and a spare set of wheels for an adventure race, all in the car. That was a little less comfy.

Toyota Funcargo

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Well, I have a PhD :-)

Subaru Outback is compelling. My XL fat bike or full suspension 29er with 800 mm bars fit inside with both wheels on (with the dropper post down). Road, gravel or tri bike is no problem.

Super easy to add a hitch receiver. If you swap out the roof rails, it will hold any rooftop tent. The factory rails and crossbars will manage one person just fine though. Fantastic mileage compared to anything else with comparable capacity, similar ground clearance to a Forerunner or Cherokee, and amazing in winter weather with the right tires.

No kidding! I’m at that stage in life when I can pretty much buy whatever car I want ... and I want a Honda Element.

I think budget is a deciding factor. Hell, you could go full sprinter van and have 80k+ into one of those and be very comfortable. I have always hated laying my bike down, I don't have any reason just don't like it. I went to a race years ago and on the way to the race a couple had their bikes on their rear mount and somebody ran into them and smashed their bikes. They did not race that day and then had to deal with the joy of insurance and what not.

My wife and I have a older transit connect long wheel base. Not the most aesthetically appealing car but very functional. We can put both bikes in standing up and ratched strap them in place. Gear/dog goes in the middle. We can position them differently and carry 2 people if need be, but that means tires come off.

We love it, but not for everybody.

GMC Sierra Trucks fit a bike in the back seat area, without having to even take the front wheel off...and then you could just use the truck bed for your camper area...

You could get something like a Model X. Camp mode makes for some comfortable sleeping in hot climates and the fold down seats make carrying a bike pretty easy.

I am personally not a fan of the big ass SUV. Just remember that every gallon of gas you are burning releases about 20 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere (~600 lbs/tank of gas). Most of the western US suffered from some truly horrible air quality. Canceling races for COVID was bad enough. There were tons of days from August through October where doing anything outside wasn’t feasible. At some point we collectively need to change our behavior.

I'm still rolling around in my 2006 Honda Element with about 150k miles on it. I absolutely love that car. I bought it used in 2008 with about 20k miles on it. All three of my kids have driven it as their first cars (I reserved weekend rights for MTB and gravel rides) and it was great for them. It's pretty indestructible and just the right amount of power (i.e. not much) for them to stay out of trouble. My youngest graduates and leaves for college this summer and I'm so excited because I'll get it back full-time.

Btw, there are persistent rumors that Honda will be bringing it back sometime soon. I'll be first in line at the dealership.

Yup. We have a 2013 Outback that has been perfect for bike transport. I think we've fit up to 3 bikes in the back, but generally transport on a hitch rack. Other options might be a bit roomier but the Outback is super versatile and most likely gets better mileage than the trucks. Plus general ease of driving.

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I have a Mercedes Sprinter, and it's incredible. Not a fancy van conversion or anything, I just have a big family and we outgrew normal van/SUV size. Even with all of the seats in, there is room behind the last row for a couple of bikes. I love it.

I got a Ford Explorer that works great. Midsize suv and can easily fit a bike in the bike with the seats down with room for other stuff. My other half has a suburban and obviously those can fit a ton. Can a bike in the back without taking any seats down lol. We have an old Dodge Ram that a bike can fit in the back seat with the seats up which is really nice. Ive also seen a lot of people with like a thru axel mount on the bed of the truck that fits into that seems nice. If you want midsize (where you'd need to put the back seats down but still plenty of room) id say the explorer is a good option, although people always think your a cop and slow down LOL. If you want a ton of space and don't mind paying or it and looking for a SUV than you can't go wrong with a suburban. For trucks, I feel like a lot of them have the seats that go up in the back and most are wide enough to fit a bike without taking anything off.

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Dodge Caravan fits your criteria. That's what I have, and it's fantastic for hauling people and stuff.

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I guess I should mention I need AWD or 4WD as this rig is going to be in the plains of North Dakota

F150 with a tnue cover FTW. i will never not own a truck and the f150 is the best

How is it as a winter warrior? The caravan

I’m not sure you NEED AWD/4WD. What you NEED are winter tires. Complete game changer for winter driving.

Every Outback is AWD. It's a blast in snow with winter tires. It's the only time that an Outback ever feels 'quick' though. Winter tires and 2 wheel drive > AWD or 4WD on all seasons though.

winter tires are a necessity yes, im talking more so for overland type driving as to why I want AWD

I have a 2010 Element SC. 135K miles and it runs like the day I bought it new. I keep the rear seats stored in the garage since it is just me and my wife. I cut a matt to fit the entire back. I've looked at new options and always come to the same conclusion ...all others are inferior. I'm hoping to get another 10 years out of the vehicle and according to Consumer Reports that is highly likely wih this car.

If you can find an FJ Cruiser, thats what I'd recommend. Lots of options/pics of camping w/rooftop tents (and additional tents that attach to sides, etc.). It's like a house with additions. And you can fit the bike IN the vehicle, and has your 4WD capability... and the 'coolness' factor rates high :-)

It's one of my vehicles, and the one I use it as my bike-mobile. I have a 2x4 w/fork mounts setup in the back and bikes mount to it (facing rearward). Didn't see it mentioned but the other nice thing is the rear side doors are 'suicide' door-style. So when the front door is open and the rear side door is also open you have the front and rear seats accessible to get to and put stuff away. Plus with the doors open that way, you also have a convenient screen for changing/unchanging if you care about modesty.

Note - since they don't make them anymore, you can look for a used one (not sure if you meant a brand new vehicle, or a new-to-you vehicle)

Our Honda odyssey was by far the easiest for bikes. Roll them right in. Tons of room for gear.

New, new to me. No preference! All about the capabilities and capacity. I dont care how it looks haha

The new Land Rover Defender...it has a factory tent option.

This!
Good gas mileage vs SUV or minivan. I test drove the forester too but love that the outback drives more like a sedan (it's also longer too so easier to fit bike).

It's got high ground clearance. I've had no problems with bad snow storms in midwest and multiple road trips to CO. I've never taken it off-road but I've read reports and videos of it going off-road.

I have a 2020 Tesla Model S and one of the deciding factors was the practicality. 58cm venge fits with both wheels on and my 29er fits with the front wheel off. Two bikes can easily stack on their sides with a blanket/tarp between them. I recently took a mountain biking and fishing trip with my son. Both mountain bikes, both fishing poles, and all of our stuff fit easily. I’ve seen pics of rooftop tents for it as well, though haven’t tried myself. Super practical, virtually no maintenance, and no gas. TCO over five years is significantly better than a comparable gas vehicle.

bet

this is really my frontrunner atm. it seems to check most boxes

Volvo XC60.

Honda Element is being re-released in a few months. take a look at that; great utility-type vehicle, perfect for dogs and bikes. can spray out the interior with water hose. and is AWD.

I think something that most fits your criteria would be a crew or double cab pickup with a bed topper. Sleep in the topper and bike in the cab. Roof top tents get really pricey and destroy gas mileage. Plus, it's obvious when you are using it.

A topper would be pretty stealth, the truck would be very off road/overland capable, and you could find something reasonably priced.

I prefer Ford if going for a gas engine, and probably Ram if diesel. But they are all quite good since there is so much competition.

docdave1 wrote:

Honda Element is being re-released in a few months. take a look at that; great utility-type vehicle, perfect for dogs and bikes. can spray out the interior with water hose. and is AWD.

I can't believe you fell for that. The Honda Element re-release is a long running hoax ever since they stopped manufacturing the vehicle. Every year, the hoax is updated complete with fake you tube videos and so on. If if were true, I would be first in line to trade mine in for a new one.

https://www.elementownersclub.com/threads/honda-bringing-back-the-element-for-2021-edit-not-true.164849/

Front wheel drive Volvo V70's with dedicated snow wheels have been brilliant for me. Elegant, comfortable, incredibly roomy, and super dependable. Go for the the XC version if you need four wheel drive at the expense of a few miles per gallon.

Seriously... great.

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2020 National Masters Champion - M40-44 - 400m IM
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Honda Odyssey 2018 or newer. Fold the back row down and middle row seats move in 4 directions.

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2020 National Masters Champion - M40-44 - 400m IM
Canadian Record Holder 35-39M & 40-44M - 200 m Butterfly (LCM)

Plenty of non AWD on the road here in Canada, winter tires and Givr. Nothing beats the folding seats on the newer minivans for volume (cubic feet) you get more floor to ceiling height than SUVs.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/...eoesophageal_fistula
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_palsy
2020 National Masters Champion - M40-44 - 400m IM
Canadian Record Holder 35-39M & 40-44M - 200 m Butterfly (LCM)

I looked at one before buying my last car. No roll down rear windows was the deal breaker

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See your bike fit. https://bikefitr.appspot.com/

well shit, that sucks. I fell hook, line , and sinker. Oh, well, it's a new Honda Crv for me; great for my tribike.

are you talking a full size pickup or colorado, tacoma size?

Prob a full size, the bikes won't fit as well in the back of a compact pickup.

I would fight you for first in line if that were true, but it's a long running hoax. Here's a different source than the one I quoted above.

https://fifthelementcamping.com/blog-articles/2020/7/7/new-element

I have nothing of value to add other than to comment that used truck prices are insane right now.

by insane you mean insanely high?

Yes, used truck prices are exceptionally high. Used cars in general, especially.

If you want a light duty truck. The ram trx is the best. The raptor is a nice second. The f150 or ram 1500 is a nice “car” with a bed.

If you want a real truck. Go 350/3500 depending on your preferred brand.

I'm not 100 percent on anything yet. But definitely not used

Minivan or van is going to be your best bet.

If you're dead set on AWD/4WD, the Toyota Sienna comes in AWD. Otherwise a Honda Odyssey, Dodge Grand Caravan, etc. would all work with a set of good winter tires.

The other option would be go for a 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter or AWD Ford Transit, or something similar.

Audi Sportback

Any chance you could post a photo? I'm in the market for a new car to replace my 2005 Xterra workhorse, and one of the requirements is the car's ability to transport my upright bike inside. I've looked at Outbacks on the road and wondered if they might work. Would love to see how you fit your bike inside.