I’m renting a mini-van to drive from Chicago to New Orleans for the 70.3 in April and I am taking at least 5 bikes but would like to take 6 or even 7 if it is possible.
I won’t know the exact make and model of the van until I pick it up at the rental agency, but past experience tells me I should be able to do the following and I am looking for the mini van owners out there to either confirm or deny this:
If it comes with “captains” chairs in the middle, I plan on taking those out and leaving them in Chicago. The rear bench will be removed only if absolutely necessary. The only gear in the van will be my own (I’m a chick so figure at least one more bag than a guy travelling to the same race). All pedals will be removed and frames wrapped in transition towels. Front wheels may be removed.
I don’t want it to be so complex that unpacking and repacking the van is hard (just in case I stay in a hotel during the trip), but I want to maximize the number of bikes so as to keep costs per bike down while still making sure that at least a few of my meals are paid for during the trip.
So I guess two questions:
-Max number of bikes with various seating configurations
And
-What extra insurance should I buy ahead of time. I have home-owners and typically my American Express Card adds an extra fee when I rent cars and that adds extra insurance.
I live in the suburbs and will be racing in N.O. as well. I have a Dodge Caravan with stow-n-go seats, to get the bikes in (5) you will need to remove all or fold into the floor all seats. Because of the tri-bars just removing the front wheels will not allow you to fit the bikes with the two captains chairs intact. I have never tried to get 7 bikes in my van. With creative packing you should be able to get your luggage in if they are not really wide bags. Chances are you will need to store them between bikes. If you have some space leave the area behind the passenger seat slightly open, they will want to tilt the seat back and nap while you drive, it is a 14 hour drive if you only stop for gas. If I am able I will look at it more closely this evening and if I find different results will post them.
Thanks for the post. I’m driving myself so my luggage can go on the passenger seat - - and I’m definitely removing the captain’s chairs (or at least one of them), because they are so bulky.
I rented a mini van for the TTT last year and there were three of us in the van (some giant chevy van), with the rear bench and one captain’s chair removed, 3 sets of gear, 3 bikes - - we just rolled the bikes in and were pretty haphazard with how we packed the van and we had TONS of room. With the way we had it we could easilly have taken a fourth bike (just might have had to pay attention to how we packed things). That’s why I’m thinking if I remove two people from the equation and the other captain’s chair, the five bikes is a no-brainer…ideally I would like to do six though.
Since there is no guarantee I will get a van with stow-and-go seats, do you think removing ALL of the seating will do the trick if need be - - do you think seven is possible or are you saying six is the max?
I think six would be the max, but you might be able to squeeze seven in with some good packing. I ride a small frame and I always have to remove the front wheel just because of the height.
I have a Dodge Grand Caravan and I regularly fit 4 mtn bikes in the back and only take out the rear seat (3rd row). If you can take out all the seats and remove the wheels, you shoudn’t have any trouble getting 7 bikes inside. Without wheels you should be able to put them in sideways by alternating which way the handlebars face.
If you’re eliminated both the middle and back row of seats, you whould have plenty of room. You’ll have extra room front to back so you can stagger the bikes that way. I’d throw blankets over each bike as you pack them so they can lean up against one another without getting rubs. As far as the bars go, you may actually be able to pack the bikes better if you leave some of the front wheels on, so you’re getting the bars up higher than the other bikes. If you take the back wheels off 1-2 of the bikes, you should be able to load them in the side door and stick them behind the front seats.
Okay I tried it out, with good packing you can get 7 bikes in the back with all seats removed, not much room for luggage unless you put it in the passenger seat. This is of course was in my caravan. I ride a 54cm bike and I put the bike in completely intact, no wheels removed. I can fit 6 bikes across and the 7th bike would need to go in perpendicular to the six (right behind the drivers and passengers seat).
We took 11 bikes to Boston last year in a mini van. Not sure of the make of van, 'cause I took a plane instead. Here is what it looked like…can you find all 11?
That is freaking awesome!!! I probably don’t want to deal with the puzzle like quality of that packing job given that I will be travelling alone and may stop in a hotel if I get tired…but very cool! Thanks!
That is freaking awesome!!! I probably don’t want to deal with the puzzle like quality of that packing job given that I will be travelling alone and may stop in a hotel if I get tired…but very cool! Thanks!
Thoughts…
Unless you plan on taking the bikes out of the van, I would not recommend staying in a hotel/motel overnight. Too risky for my taste. My plan of action would be to either;
A) - If you have a ‘private’ garage, to pack the bikes the night before, get a good night’s sleep and leave as early as you can. Take a few breaks along the way to stretch you legs, even a 5 minute walk around the parking lot. If you feel you need a nap, take it during the late afternoon at a rest stop.
B) - If you don’t have a garage and the van will be outside, also get a good night’s sleep and pack the van in the morning. And leave as early as you can.
I hope you have someone helping you pack all bikes. I’ve always had 2-3 Red Bulls with me on long trips. I find they really help.
Thanks - - Yep, have to pack the van right before I leave but I will have it all staged in my living room and my boyfriend will hopefully help out (I should prolly ask him since it means he’s getting up at 3 AM with me).
I’m a nerd so I’ve already used a mapping program to designate 20 minutes rests every 4 hours of driving, 21 mpg hwy, 17 minor arterials and a $3/gallon average price (it’s less than that NOW but I like to be conservative). I did this drive more times than I care to admit when I was in college but I’m a little older now so I am budgeting for a motel - - and the reason why I don’t want TOO complex of a packing job is for exactly the reason you state - - I have to bring all the bikes into the hotel room with me and repack when I leave. Six sounds perfect. I’d like to offer the seventh spot to someone but I don’t want to tempt fate and make this a crazy long / complex trip.
I can one-up you on the red bull: I cold brew my coffee and make an extract that needs to be diluted by half in order to even be drinkable. Friends who consider themselves coffee addicts think that my extract is too strong…but it’s better then hot-brewed because it is less acidic.
Thanks again for everyone’s suggestions. If anyone has input on insurance - - particularly if you were ever in a car accident where bikes that didn’t belong to you got damaged (god forbid), what kind of insurance would cover contents? I know very little about insurance other than that when you actually make a claim the companies will invariably try to $crew you.
We rented a Caravan and drove to Steelhead from Atlanta. We had 6 Tribikes and 4 people inside with no issues. That included luggage and race wheels. We could have easily fit a couple of more had we wanted to get creative.
For Insurance: I would call to see what your deductible is currently at. If it is high, you might want to lower it for the trip. You can change it once you return from your race. You can also give them the ‘hypothetical’ scenario of taking a road trip with expensive cargo and see what they say.
Would like to hear how you cold brew your coffee. Sounds interesting. I think I have built up an immunity to coffee/coke caffeine, I can regularly drink some at night and go sleep soundly an hour later (pisses my wife off). With Red Bull, probably because I drink it so infrequently, it seems to have a stronger effect. I’m sure they also have some other ingredients.
