Strapping motorbikes into the back of a van

[jmp49]

Ive always used two straps at the front, usually around the forkleg just above the lowest front yoke if I can get to it without plastics in the way and pulled down to load the front suspension up, front wheel hoop anchored the van but more recently overcentre front wheel hoop as pete describes, and a strap over the rear with a bit of padding & over the seat to lightly load the back down against the rear suspension. The very best van I owned for bike moving was a mk1 T35 renault master van, as it was fwd, the rear floor was so low it was at ankle height and you could just use a bit of wood or even bounce the front wheel in.
I have a bike trailer because my current master is rwd and too high to load easily into, and its a similar story on the trailer securing things, with the usual expectation the straps will want to flail round and need tying up before they flap and damage the bike in motion. It has a pivot on the axle and the drawbar stays on the car/van and the front of the trailer unbolts from the drawbar so that you undo a pin at the front and the whole trailer tips into a ramp you just wheel the bike up, and it rocks overcentre as you push and goes level so no need for a loading ramp.
Any real distance and I'd rather be loading into a box trailer or even better a van because you can periodically glance at it for reassurance. I lost a exhaust silencer once going 400km in a day with the open trailer, and various small bits, I tend to take mirrors etc off on a long trip now if its on the open trailer. I get the sensation a bike's getting shook round more on bumps and sproingy trailer suspension that it was designed for too.

 

[mtt.tr]

I've bought and sold countless motorbikes.

Wheel chock, straps through the lower yoke.

Rear often do a self cinching loop around the rear wheel this is just to stop it moving not so much keeping it upright

 

[harveyp6]

 

[harveyp6]

You don't need two of course, unless you want to....
About 38 quid on eBay

 

[premmington]

You don't need two of course, unless you want to....
About 38 quid on eBay

That is what I bought. (£38.99)

Reckon long term - will fabricate a wider ramp - unless I can score a full width wheel chair one off a dead taxi...

One of my workshop side roller doors has a short concrete ramp up to it - reckon if you backed a van up to it - with a ramp - the incline from workshop floor to van would be nothing. Will offer van up and weigh it up with a tape measure - for ramp length.

 

[Robotstar5]

Trailmater off road recovery do a lot of adventure bike recovery work, haven’t seen any of the bikes they recover fall off or break. Check out their YouTube channel for visual ideas

He builds all his stuff from experience like the XXJ for bike recovery, currently watching Trailmater getting a few changes/upgrades.

 

[Migmac]

He builds all his stuff from experience like the XXJ for bike recovery, currently watching Trailmater getting a few changes/upgrades.

I like how they just get on with things

 

[oldbikedavey]

Ducati singles fit very nicely in an Acadiane .
This , I know....

 

[addjunkie]

Front wheel chock and ratchet straps to a strong point at a decent angle from the lower yoke. And one at the back end somewhere to stop it bouncing.

A good ramp is a must. I once observed someone in tears after a ramp mishap. Too steep and not quite straight, front wheel didnt make the van. Bike on its side on the ramp. It was a nice restored Triumph Trident!

 

[Pete.]

I've been using a scaffold board for the last 20+ years.

 

[Screwdriver]

I've been using a scaffold board for the last 20+ years.

Pah! I wheelie mine over the bumper and stoppie up into the van.

 

[Martin Hocking]

I usually go four corners route. As long as the straps are pulling away from each other and downwards I don’t think it actually matters that much where you strap to on the bike (Within reason). Underneath all the security blanket guff, it’s the same in the picture below.


The pictures mainly to show the Ali trellis ramp on the left, my dad got it years ago I think it’s from the states. It’s folds out to full width so you haven’t got to hop. (Not so much a problem with a van though).

The other way I use, was shown to me by a bloke in Sheffield once, which is remarkably effective is one strap through a frame spar and strap the bike to the side of the van (you can add foam if your feeling posh). No messing.

 

[Martin Hocking]

Would your work insurance cover a bike kept in the back of your van @premmington ?

 

[premmington]

I usually go four corners route. As long as the straps are pulling away from each other and downwards I don’t think it actually matters that much where you strap to on the bike (Within reason). Underneath all the security blanket guff, it’s the same in the picture below.
View attachment 526259

The pictures mainly to show the Ali trellis ramp on the left, my dad got it years ago I think it’s from the states. It’s folds out to full width so you haven’t got to hop. (Not so much a problem with a van though).

The other way I use, was shown to me by a bloke in Sheffield once, which is remarkably effective is one strap through a frame spar and strap the bike to the side of the van (you can add foam if your feeling posh). No messing.

My mate does this with his green lane bike - got sort of camping matress things on wall of van - he puts strap on frame thru load point - and threads strap under bike and uses load point on other side of the van to tension strap (so he can get to ratchet mech on strap). I did note he got two bits of wood screwed to floor - to stop wheels slipping out from under the bike.

 

[premmington]

Would your work insurance cover a bike kept in the back of your van @premmington ?

Yeah... "in our care" - got cover for cars in yard - stock in transit.

Only restriction I got for motorbikes is - "demonstration for sales motorbikes" - got it for cars but not motorbikes.

Got cover for loan - courtesy cars and motorbikes - but would never lend a motorbike to a customer - just never...

I would put van with expensive bikes in it - in our workshop overnight thou - would make sense - just easy drive in when locking up

 

[Wedg1e]

I have the opposite problem... how to secure the Transit inside the Pan European

 

[Martin Hocking]

I thought you’d have it covered but I figured I’d mention it anyway insurance like finding ways to not pay…
As it’s kings Lynn maybe you can can set the other side of the van up as a kennel for very angry dogs!

 

[premmington]

I thought you’d have it covered but I figured I’d mention it anyway insurance like finding ways to not pay…
As it’s kings Lynn maybe you can can set the other side of the van up as a kennel for very angry dogs!

Inside of MWB Crafter van suits a motorbike electrical repair - you can stand up in one - I got one in there now on side stand - plastics off - laid on blanket at back of van out of the way. One bike in the middle of crafter/sprinter - you can get round all sides - with tank and stuff out of the way at back (not getting damaged in workshop).

These sort of repairs tend to drag on - you strip the tank and plastics off - have a little probe one day with a multimeter - decide what is wrong - then have to wait days/weeks for parts to come - none of it is wheels off or out - so no need for a lift. Leaving them stripped/laid out in the back of van - suits the task very well.

If I carry on doing as many as I have been doing - I will go for the full internal LED lighting thing in 240v and get a trailing - blue 16amp plug and lead to power up the installation.