Mountain bike storage ideas
We're beginning the shopping process for our first RV. We'll be living in it full-time. Here's the difficult spot we're in: We have (2) $5000+ mountain bikes that we will be bringing with us. Obvio...
Forum Discussion
..Since you're going to be full-time, I'm betting no matter how much basement storage you have, you will fill it up with other stuff and will not want to tie a bunch of it up with bikes. Also, being full-time, you sure aren't going to want the bikes inside, either. Since you don't want the bikes outside, that pretty well rules out keeping the bikes anywhere on or in the MH. :)
Given your requirements, I think you're limited to two choices, already mentioned: Either a large enclosed trailer to carry both bikes and your toad (and maybe a small shop), or get you a toad large enough to carry bikes inside back of toad. As mentioned in previous post, a good size SUV or pickup truck with a shell should allow such.
I vote for getting a pickup with a shell as your toad. Depending on the shell you use and the pickup, you might could fit the bikes in the back without even having to remove the front wheel. I agree that an enclosed trailer could be difficult to deal with at some campgrounds, I wouldn't want that, either.
Also, going with this approach would allow you to take the bikes with you to off-the-beaten path places with your toad, that you would not want to take the MH. From what it sounds like you want to do, I'm thinking this would be something you'd want, right? :)
When we towed a TT with a large SUV (Ford Excursion), that's what we did - all 4 of our bikes fit in the back of the Excursion. A pickup would be even better, that way you wouldn't be getting the inside of your vehicle dirty when you have to put bikes away dirty. Now, we carry our bikes on the back of our toad with a hitch mounted rack, but I do sometimes miss being able to store the bikes inside like we used to.
..Only downside to the pickup or large SUV for a toad approach: With a toad that heavy, your MH choices will be limited somewhat. Most all gasser MHs will not have a hitch receiver capable of handling a toad that big. You will probably have to go with a diesel pusher of some variety, which will mean a bunch more $$.
Given your requirements, I think you're limited to two choices, already mentioned: Either a large enclosed trailer to carry both bikes and your toad (and maybe a small shop), or get you a toad large enough to carry bikes inside back of toad. As mentioned in previous post, a good size SUV or pickup truck with a shell should allow such.
I vote for getting a pickup with a shell as your toad. Depending on the shell you use and the pickup, you might could fit the bikes in the back without even having to remove the front wheel. I agree that an enclosed trailer could be difficult to deal with at some campgrounds, I wouldn't want that, either.
Also, going with this approach would allow you to take the bikes with you to off-the-beaten path places with your toad, that you would not want to take the MH. From what it sounds like you want to do, I'm thinking this would be something you'd want, right? :)
When we towed a TT with a large SUV (Ford Excursion), that's what we did - all 4 of our bikes fit in the back of the Excursion. A pickup would be even better, that way you wouldn't be getting the inside of your vehicle dirty when you have to put bikes away dirty. Now, we carry our bikes on the back of our toad with a hitch mounted rack, but I do sometimes miss being able to store the bikes inside like we used to.
..Only downside to the pickup or large SUV for a toad approach: With a toad that heavy, your MH choices will be limited somewhat. Most all gasser MHs will not have a hitch receiver capable of handling a toad that big. You will probably have to go with a diesel pusher of some variety, which will mean a bunch more $$.
