OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: gerpster on March 22, 2008, 08:13:54 pm
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Was wondering what everyone uses for getting their bikes to and from events and what ya reckon is the best way to go? ???
I currently use the old box trailer (6x4) which is a bit small ::) so am considering the options...bigger box trailer, custom trailer, ute, van, something else???
Was thinking that a van might be a good idea so i can sleep in it overnight at events etc. Only prob seems to be that vans are on the expensive side due to popularity with trades etc and anything of an 80s vintage has been well used and abused. Hmmm. :-\
So what do you use and what's best for you? ???
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I think vans are great.
I had one up to about 8 months ago. Now i have an enclosed trailer which is good too as you can secure everything, same as the van.Everything is out of the weather. An enclosed 3 bike trailer tends to be worth a minimum of $3 big ones.
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I have a ute but it has bucket seats so if I bring the kids it makes it hard so I made a box trailer its first trip is to CD5 so I hope it makes it because it will have 2 or 3 bikes in it.So if any of you blokes see a dickhead on the side of the road with a rooted trailer that will be me :-[ jimson
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One more vote for the van. Always secure, great to shelter in from the rain in your muddy gear, don't have to unload if you get home late. Got mine on e-bay for $3500 2 years ago, driven it every day since. Wish it had air-con though. Has fold-up rear seat so the dog can see out. Still can't back a trailer worth a damn.
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to get it all in one is difficult. i'm not a big fan of trailers but it just suits my lifestyle at present. i've been using a clapped out 6x4 box but now with more than one bike to ride it's getting moved out to pasture as i'm building an 8x5 flat tray with a box on the A frame for all the goodies. should be ready for the trip down to CD5. i'm going for the flat tray cause i like to wash my bikes on the trailer and this way the dirt won't settle and rust out the floor, it can still take my rubbish to the dump and who the hell wants to cart topsoil in a trailer anyway?
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A van and a trailer, that way I can get so much gear and crap to a meeting that I never need and it takes me 2 weeks to unload ::)
My Van with the trailer and Danny's Bedford. I think we had 7 bikes 5 riders and all the gear that goes with a weekend away.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f65/djracingyz/NorthVsSouth06209-1.jpg)
My Hiace super custom ltd van has air conditioning front and back, 3lt turbo diesel cruising with a trailer at 130k no problem(I just dont wont to get the speeding ticket), a built in thermos hot/cold box with ice maker and 1lt jug for making coffees on the way. The seats in the back swivel around which makes for changing in and out of your ride gear very easy. The back seats can fold down to make a bed. The front seats are bucket style seats and all the seats arent that crappy vinyl, they are material and the back of the van has carpet throughout. The rear doors are motorised so the shut properly and dont rattle. It has 3 sun roofs that are controlled electrically and all have roof sliders so the sun doesnt come in when you dont want it too. It doesnt ride like a van either because of the independant coil spring rear end and of cause power steering and electric windows. When it is raining my gear isnt getting wet and noone can steal it off the back like a ute.
For summing up, I think a van is the way to go. I can carry 4 people and 1 bike inside with all the gear and a trailer on the back has 3 more bikes. If I dont want to take a trailer I can always remove the seats and take 2 people, 2 bikes and all the gear.
I always like an extra person with me so they can make the coffee on the way. ;D
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I JUST GOT A BIKE TRAILER GIVEN TO ME.I HAVE BEING LOOKING AROUND FOR A CHEAPY TO FIX UP.A RESPRAY,SOME LIGHTS AND REGO AND AWAY I GO.I HAVE BEING USING THE OLDMANS UTE UNTIL NOW.
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XF ute. Not sexy, but dollar for dollar, nothing beats it. It will get you there at the speed limit, in a fair degree of comfort, and - the way I figure it - that's all that matters.
A new XR6 ute would be high on the shopping list if we ever win Lotto, but in the meantime the only threat to the XF's supremacy is some sort of mum-wagon...
I should also admit that the ute is my wife's.
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I have to agree with Nathan :o re: the XF ute. I owned one for 10 years and despite the occasional blown head gasket the dear old thing gave excellent service. They are reasonably comfortable (mine had a Ghia interior, air and power steer), and comfortably hold two bikes in the back and still have enough horsepower to tow a loaded 3 bike trailer. I sold the ute to racer Mark Peatman about 8 years ago and he's still got it today.
Even though the Jeep Cherokee (Mum wagon?) I now drive is the height of comfort and has ample power to tow my enclosed trailer, I surely miss the convenience of throwing a bike in the back of the ute. If I was a serious racer I'd go the VW or Iveco van route. I had an old SWB V4 Transit back when I was a serious racer and I could fit 4 bikes and all the gear into it. As long as there were no major hills on the journey it'd cruise happily at 100kph fully loaded.
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VS ute and open two bike trailer when taking a couple of bikes. I don't mind having the old bikes in the open and watch the older blokes nearly twist there heads off as they go past in the family wagon loaded up with screaming shit-machines.
The switched on theives know what are in those enclosed trailers and I find they end up being filled up with shit that you can't find anywhere else for.
I have the bikes locked to the trailer, trailer locked to the ute (one of those proper tow-bar locks) and a wheel lock for the trailer if we're so much as stopping for a piss.
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Its a very personalised choice but don't forget the Twin cab.
I've got a 20 yo 600,000klms Navara twin cab fourbee and I've never had a more reliable versatile vehicle. I've put three trailies in the back (yes, it was a squeeze and, no, I wouldn't put three resto's in there ;)).
It has also towed a 6 bike trailer - I moved 9 trailies in total, and no I didn't break any speed records and yes, I did brake early, slowly and progressively ;).
And been a fourbee it has been used to recover few bodies :D and bikes from deep in the bush.
You might have more class then me (20 yo 600,000klms multi-coloured Navara twin cab fourbee - my 'science experiment - seeing how far it will go). Maybe something more like this is your style 8) ;D (remember to tie down those bikes well though ::))
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l187/mx250a/nissan_navara_2008.jpg)
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I currently have an 8 x 5 with one of those bike mount racks in the front for the wheels (Smart Arse designs!!) - comfortably fit 3 bikes and some gear in it but dont like it all being open. I added a box to the front for fuel, tools etc which is handy but I am looking at an enclosed bike trailer with the hinged roof. I want to mount tent/annexe points to the side where the door will go and canvas around the hinge opening so can sleep either in or beside it - weather is pretty good for that in the west. Add a slide out fridge and generator and a fold down BBQ and it will be home away from home!!! ;D ;D
Rossco
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another vote for vans,i've had vans all my racing years,started with a kombi,was bastard with long wheel based bikes,(usually took a f/wheel off!!),Datsun Homer,brief flirtation with bongos!,(used to put 1200 coupe mtrs inem 8),then about 4 urvans,now running med w/base,mid roof transit with V6 dunnydoor mtr,hills do not exist ::),(records 6 r/race bikes to Tassie classic nats ;D),everythings inside,don't get rained on,can't be seen,looks like 5 million other white vans,(apart from stickers on back windows),no reversing probs,pain to park in soopermarkets but! ;),cheers :P
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68 Falcon ute. Ya gotta be period.
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Crash it would be bloody great if the petrol prices were period ;D
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I've got a 92 space cab Rodeo that just won't quit. Totally reliable for 245,000km and still more to come.
I've thought about a van but it's got to be my daily driver as well. The extra cab room is good for lock up type stuff and I found the double cab put too much weight too far back for my liking when carrying bikes. The space cab seems a good compromise between handling and room.
I've thought of a trailer but then you need somewhere to park it.
I've thought of a new ute but find it hard to justify the price. The current one is the 2.6L petrol and fitted with a cruise control. This has proven a real bonus on trips to far off race meetings.
A trip to the races for me is either 40km or 10,000, not much in between.
Cheers
Brent
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i still have my enclosed 3 bike trailer i built in 1984 :o
its great can lock it everything is out of weather and keeps car space clearer
ultimate is duel cab ute towing enclosed trailer
i have carried 6 bikes like this :o
vans are great i used to have a bedford but you are limeted to amount of bikes and room ;D
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2001 XR6 ute. Does the job nicely. Now clocked up over 250.000 kms and still going strong. Before that has XA GS ute factory fitted 351 4 speed with AC and power steer in bright lime glaze green, hammered it around for 10 years used as work horse, drag raced at local 1/8th mile, used and used and used. Always was faithful old ute.
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Hey Brent I've got the same truck, 92 Isuzu spacecab 2.6 L petrol burner. Love it to bits, going strong at 285000 kms. I noticed one time you saying how you thought some batches of fuel affect how much ya truck was burning. I've experienced the same thing, one day on a fill up it's used about 3-4 liters more fuel - nothings changed on the vehicle or driving habits. It has driven me to change air filters, spark plugs even fitted extractors. Fuel comsumption just strangely varies sometimes, it generally gets about 9kms to the liter.
It is just one good tough truck...Ah, trucks they are like dogs - every now & then you get a good one.
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Hey Greg,
I have a 7 by 4 box trailer with side rails all round, big wheels/near new tyres that will be sale for about $250 if the bike sells! ;D Painted flash massey fergasun red, all lights work rego'd til October 08
Muz
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I noticed one time you saying how you thought some batches of fuel affect how much ya truck was burning. I've experienced the same thing, one day on a fill up it's used about 3-4 liters more fuel - nothings changed on the vehicle or driving habits. It has driven me to change air filters, spark plugs even fitted extractors. Fuel comsumption just strangely varies sometimes, it generally gets about 9kms to the liter.
Thats probably variation in fuel. 'Oils arn't oils' and 'fuels arn't fuels'. Fuels do vary from brand to brand, batch to batch and servo to servo. I use mainly LPG and I notice the same thing. One day the ute is like a bird and the next ya thinking of selling the 'old dog'.
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Tow vehicle is a '98 Rodeo Crew Cab with a canopy turning it in to a H/Duty station wagon. 2.6L 4 cylinder engine running on LPG means it does not have an excess of power but will sit on the speed limit fully loaded. Trailer is currently a home made 2 bike job that is a bit too short as I built it for carrying my bultaco trials bikes years ago. In the process of building a new trailer based on a cut-down pop-top caravan. Will be 4m x 2m fully enclosed and capable of carrying 6 bikes plus tools and other nessecary equipment, with fold down bunk beds for those long trips and over night camping type events.
CJ
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75mod 265 valiant ute on gas,good thing about vals is they use a sedan floor plan leaving all that space beneath the tray right up to the diff totally out of sight
TT5 Matt
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I see the Rodeo utes get a good mention and I'll back that.
'No hungry wheel arches to eat up your payload space' as they say on the ads!
Mine had 320K plus on the clock when I slid into a pole.
It never missed a beat and I would've kept it for years :'(.
Unfortunatey I pranged it juuuust prior to buying my first VMXer - so the bikes are destined to be towed in a box trailer for the foreseeable future.
At least trailers are low to the ground and easily a one man load.
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Crash it would be bloody great if the petrol prices were period ;D
What???? ....fifteen cents a gallon. So that's a buck fifty to fill the ute and 30 cents for the bike. Out of the 60 dollar pay packet. And you could buy a new Maico.
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Eno I gave this new ethanol blend fuel a try. It's a bit cheaper and the ute runs quite happily on it but I lost about 20% in distance on the same amount of fuel. I keep a pretty close eye on my km/L and I ran 3 tanks of the stuff to try it. As soon as I went back to regular I got the 20% back.
Did you notice much difference with the extractors?
Here's a cheap power/economy trick for this model. I found this by accident and it makes a big difference. If you have the inlet hose running over the motor to the manifold, remove the plastic section and replace it with a parellel steel pipe. You need to add some fittings for the breather hoses. I also run an K&N filter which makes as much difference. Don't bother with a HYCLONE!
Brent
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Ethanol.... Pffft
Yeah spose its cheaper at the pump but seems you (well I do)spend more time at the next pump.
My tRUSTY 7x4 trailer gets towed (begrudgingly) behind the lil red thang and no its a not a bloody Honda its a 99 Celica.
Just moved from Brisneyland to Gladstone area and my poor lil car was filled to the gills with crap, lucky i dont smoke as i wouldnt have had room to fit a packet of rollie papers. Think I blew my back shocks on the way up.
Anyways as a comparison I drove legal (almost) and arrived with 1/3 of a tank of Shell ultra left, think its about a 60 litre tank. My girlfriend did the same trip in her Matiz ( sewing machine) and had to fill up at Childers or Gin Gin i forget which.
Fair enough she has to have the AC on but she wasnt driving fast or carrying a load and those lil cars are spose to be oily rag chasers.
Anyway my point being my car runs crap on ethanol blend stuff and the fuel economy is non existant. Seems like its the same as fuel for Dirt bikes.
Good fuel = Good Power= Less required to do the same task= Better Performance/Economy.
Try it out, it may work for you too.
I just had a thought.. what will happen when Ethanol is in short supply? sheesh ........Bourbon will be $200 a litre. Drink it freddie drink it ;D
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Brent, it made little difference to fuel consumption with the headers fitted (coby brand), it does rev a bit more freely & has more boogy when down shifting to take on other vehicles. Do you ever get the impression that one of these things could run on kerosene?, mine never pings, always fill up with 91. I reckon the compression must be low & you could get a lot more efficiency by raising compression. As it is it's very fuel tolerant & runs at a consistant temp.
I don't qiute understand that intake mod you spoke of, my trucks got a plastic frexible pipe from air box to a still air space in behind the headlight - looks like a savvy arrangement. The headers have a stub for the hot air supply - which now is really hot, won't be taking that off as the last time I did such a thing on a vehicle the carb promptly iced up.
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My personal motorcycle transporter is a 1991.5 Dodge W250 4x4 with a Cummins Turbodiesel. Whoo hoo!
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Navara idea for bikes (3 no problems with 3 bloke and kit) also good for work during the week and family all other times. Not a good protection as a van but seats 5!!
Just my 2p worth.
(http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/neilios_photos/IMG-20110305-00138.jpg)
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I built this about 2 years ago while I was travelling for work with the wife in tow so I could carry the road bike and all our gear we needed and am now using it for the dirt bike and can fit 3 bikes in there with all the camping and riding gear ;D
Oh and I made it as a box trailer with a removable canopy so it can be removed if required for whatever purpose ;)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Nice_surf/IMG_0023-1.jpg)
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Saw a bloke towing his MX'er today behind his 4wd. Literally. Front end of the bike sat in a holder on the rear bumper and the bikes rear wheel sat on the road and just rolled along. Cant say that it would do the gearbox bearings or knobby any good. Wouldn't use this arrangement on anything but suburban speed limits.................... :-\
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How long is a piece of string ??? ... but for me I always go for the biggest bang for bucks and sheer allround practicality :-\...... so for me I have chosen the often overlooked big floater ;D.. a ford wagon .... from EA to BA have owned four of them now.. you can buy them cheap.. a real (6ft) bloke and his missus can sleep in the back comfortably , it can tow a big trailer and five peeps EASY!.. cheap as chips for parts etcetc ;).
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There could be only one way to fix your problem have a chat to John at Let It Ride Floats & Trailer but if you find a old Bedford like the one Mert had in On Any Sunday let me know how cool would it be.
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Like you Marsman we use a Holden wagon or Toy landcruiser as we usualy leave home
on the Saterday and camp over.I tow a 2/3 bike trailer or if were going camping with 2
bikes i take the 7x5 box trailer . may have to get the plans off you Trav that looks real
neat..
Poppy..
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My first tow car was a '36 ford V8 [no brakes] and I made a little bracket bolted to the tow bar which would take the front axle of my 500 AJay.
Throw the front wheel in the boot and away you go!
Two probs with this scheme made me save up for a trailer. First shock when I saw another ajay in the pits that got there the same way but the bottom broke of a fork leg! I made sure I roped the handle bars down to the bumper bar for the trip home.
Then the cops decided that we could all be booked for towing an unregistered and unroadworthy 'trailer'
cheers pancho.
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93 mazda bravo dual cab with alloy tray off a single cab.fits 3 full size bikes with eeze plenty of room between bikes for fuel cans fold up ramp and other stuff.esky and all our gear plus 3 of us fit inside easy its got nearly 400.000k's andnever given a spot of trouble.cheers
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I have a van which was originally bought to haul bikes, but I've since have wisened up and purchsed a trailer.
While vans are great for security, mean better economy (as you aren't towing anything) they do have some big compromises.
Getting bikes in and out is a pain in the ass, it is hard to tie bikes down while in a van, and if you van is half decent and you like to carry people around at other times, dirty smelly bikes and gear soon spoil it.
Don't get me wrong, vans are great, you can get changed in them, store heaps of gear and put bikes in them when needed, for regular bike transport I'd recommend a ute or van + trailer combo though.