Yep, it is entirely doable to have a double cab ute and build a good sized deck capable of carrying two bikes easily. Makes it a bitch to get at the towbar too. The downside is that the urban streets and carparks are ridiculously small for an oversize vehicle of any sort. Only really a problem if you go into or park in town. I have an extra cab ute with a 2.4m long deck and the whole plot is 5.9m long.
Only a Rat can win a Rat Race!
I was meaning something more like this. Proper long.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...-976893345.htm
Originally Posted by Jane Omorogbe from UK MSN on the KTM990SM
I've been loooking at this issue for the last 5 months or so, trying to figure a way of getting my bike and my 3 year old son to (future) daycare, and then hopping on my bike to go to work. It would cut my (future) commute down by 30 minutes at least. Double cab for the next kid maybe...
Double cab, long bed, and low enough to ride the bike quickly on to. Hard to find a vehicle to suit. Even looked at vans, but not really good enough.
Also looking at the safety rating and fuel effeciency as well.
I have not found anything 'stock' that is modern or practical. Closest I've found is mid-2000 Ford Couriers, which have massive k's on their engines, and have been thrashed/modded past usefulness. Good for the odd track day though I suppose. Back tray down, and a few tie-downs involved.
I don't think New Zealand has the market for these vehicles.
You'd need to factor in the loading / unloading of the bike though. Not too long, but when you're talking about every day, making sure the ramp is secure, putting on your gear, I'm not sure you're really going to save much.
Avoid the steel type trays. While bigger and flat they're much higher, above the wheels. 4WD can be handy (I mountain bike as well, so getting up/down gravel trail heads is part of getting there) but can also raise the loading height. Utes are easier for accessing tie down points, even from outside the tray. Obviously impossible inside a van so a bit of a squeeze. Vans also have to be tall enough to take your bike.
Otherwise, depending on purpose, consider a trailer. Lower loading height, get the tow vehicle of your choice. Have to store the trailer though, maintain, etc.
Originally Posted by Jane Omorogbe from UK MSN on the KTM990SM
Yep, the 30 minutes is taking all of that into consideration, including unloading the bike. It's a geographical conundrum because of where we live because of hills, road layout, and waterways. I'd take one route to get to daycare in a car/ute, but then have to use another route from home on the bike to get to work. I'd wear my gear apart from helmet in the ute as well. My daily commute is about 196km at the moment, daycare would be on the way to work, but on a very slight tangent. I'd only be doing the drop-offs in the morning, so could take my time loading the bike back on in the afternoons. The 30 minutes in the morning saved would be great, makes life easier.
I did look at trailers as well, but it wouldn't work security or space wise, especially if I needed to take the bike on the back of the ute all of the way to work, as parking is an issue. Plus rego/maintenence etc.
There are a couple of things to be wary of as well. One of them being mates with cameras!
Only a Rat can win a Rat Race!
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