Which 4x4 vehicle?

[carlbiker]

Basically what allows a mtb to stand up in the boot? I guess size needs to be 1m high x 1.3m long so is there anything that allows for this? LR sport maybe, Merc GL. I’d rather a 4x4 also since I got stuck in a field not to long ago but not essential.

basically if a van had a baby with a 4x4 what would it be?

and if that’s not possible then what van would be more suitable? Merv Vito, Ford transporter? Etc. I am planning a few family camping trips also

 

[carlbiker]

Best Car for Mountain Bikers | Ride More Bikes interesting, it going to be easy to find what I’m looking for...

 

[Shinn]

Best Car for Mountain Bikers | Ride More Bikes interesting, it going to be easy to find what I’m looking for...

That is a crazy amount of information for such a topic. I currently have my third wrangler and it sucks moving cargo with but I've had the jeep bug since I was a kid. Nowadays I'd prefer a van so I could take a nap in between laps.

 

[simonk]

Unimog. Definitely.

 

[carlbiker]

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012137049144

 

[carlbiker]

Search Used Cars for sale in Bradford, West Yorkshire | Jap Car Finder a few 4x4 vans actually here

 

[Shinn]

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202

I would certainly get into an accident with the steering wheel on that side.

 

[carlbiker]

Nissan Elgrand Nismo review: a Japanese sports-MPV Reviews 2023 | Top Gear

What do we have here then? A slice of majestic JDM multi-purpose vehicle magic. Otherwise known as the Nissan Elgrand. Here, in racy Nismo trim. Hold on, what’s a multi-purpose vehicle? Oh to be young. MPVs are a dying breed. With the increased consumption of crossovers and the rise of the now...

www.topgear.com

Used Nissan Elgrand review: 1997-2014

Transporting a family, particularly a large one, often means sacrifices have to be made in areas like performance, comfort, and convenience. But many families have found that in the Nissan Elgrand they don’t have to make those sacrifices.

www.carsguide.com.au

 

[Pdoz]

Do you want a real 4x4 rather than an awd van ?

I can fit a couple of bikes in the back of my mitsubishi pajero relatively easily , but it involves folding down 1 or 2 middle row seats OR removing the front wheels if all 3 or the kids want to come for a drive. If they all want to bring their bikes then we carry 5 bikes on our shingleback rack

My ford ranger can manage shorter bikes in the tub , I guess that could be enclosed by a canopy if I wanted? We easily manage 5 bikes on the tailgate pad but again, the shingleback rack is easier. The pajero is a much better vehicle around town , modern utes are getting too long / high to be practical.

I'd love an awd van but my daughters chant " sketchy white paedo van" every time I make the suggestion.

 

[Mcharza]

The Van can also be a sexy one. Mitsubishi Delica 4x4

Used 2017 MITSUBISHI DELICA D5/CV1W for Sale BH568036 - BE FORWARD

 

[apac]

I bought a truck, Ford ranger, sold it 12 months later and bought a van. I'll probably only ever buy vans for the rest of my days.

 

[apac]

Have you looked into VW Caddy vans? Some are AWD and they also do long wheel base versions and high line.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Basically what allows a mtb to stand up in the boot? I guess size needs to be 1m high x 1.3m long so is there anything that allows for this? LR sport maybe, Merc GL. I’d rather a 4x4 also since I got stuck in a field not to long ago but not essential.

basically if a van had a baby with a 4x4 what would it be?

and if that’s not possible then what van would be more suitable? Merv Vito, Ford transporter? Etc. I am planning a few family camping trips also

Are you thinking mainly for getting to the trails, or coming back too ???

 

[R120]

It depends if you want the back seats useable when you have the bike in the back - IMO if you want a car to put a bike in with minimal hassle then there are really two good options, MPV's or massive estates.

Our family car is a Mere E Class estate, and with the rear seats down it will take any EMTB in the back without having to take wheels off etc - any of its rivals will do the same. If you want a 4x4 I would be tempted to go with one of the "jacked up" options like an Audi all road. Skoda, Volvo, VW, Merc all do versions of their biggest estates with four wheel drive and raised suspension, if your on a budget the Volvos are good value.

MPV wise I think the best route are the Peugeot/Citroen/Vauxhall MPVs base off the partner platform - on the LWB versions you can get a bike in the back with one of the rear seats folded down without taking he wheels off - they are no lookers but in terms of practicality hard to beat, and older models can be got for peanuts.

Finally one option worth considering is a used Skoda Yeti - again no looker but from an MTB point of view they tick all the bikes, can swallow bikes no problem, and you can completely remove the rear seats and turn into a "van" - the 4x4 version are surprisingly capable with the right tyres too.

 

[Jackware]

 

[Zimmerframe]

I think you need to go more Thunderbirds ... Something with a hook loader :

Super easy to load and unload your bikes - literally ride on ride off .. You can even set it at an angle and use it for jump practice !

Have different pods for Family days .. or a special "mother in law" pod where she can ride in her own sound insulated comfort, maybe with a time lock on the door for her own safety.

"Overnighter" pod with space to sleep and eat and still store bikes. Stick a tarp in there and fill it with sand or water for family beach and pool fun anywhere you like.

 

[CBSTD]

Go big or go home
or you could just by a transit custom trail?‍

 

[ggx]

There are Toyota and then the others!

 

[carlbiker]

Do you want a real 4x4 rather than an awd van ?

I can fit a couple of bikes in the back of my mitsubishi pajero relatively easily , but it involves folding down 1 or 2 middle row seats OR removing the front wheels if all 3 or the kids want to come for a drive. If they all want to bring their bikes then we carry 5 bikes on our shingleback rack

My ford ranger can manage shorter bikes in the tub , I guess that could be enclosed by a canopy if I wanted? We easily manage 5 bikes on the tailgate pad but again, the shingleback rack is easier. The pajero is a much better vehicle around town , modern utes are getting too long / high to be practical.

I'd love an awd van but my daughters chant " sketchy white paedo van" every time I make the suggestion.

AWD would be better at time of writing I didn’t know they existed in vans but seems even the jap imports might do them too

 

[MrSimmo]

I had a GLE63 until I was advised by the wife to sell, that was awesome highly recommend! Now we have a transporter shuttle which to be fair is better suited for bikes, kids, trips away, you can get 4x4 vans although rare.

 

[carlbiker]

I bought a truck, Ford ranger, sold it 12 months later and bought a van. I'll probably only ever buy vans for the rest of my days.

I’ve tried a Ford ranger, I quite enjoyed throwing the beast around but I felt it wasn’t practical at all and lugging bikes into the cabs were a pain, in the end I used the Thule carrier so wouldn’t go for a pickup double cab again

Do you find vans a boring thing to drive, slow, chunky etc?

Are you thinking mainly for getting to the trails, or coming back too ???

View attachment 47947

both!

It depends if you want the back seats useable when you have the bike in the back - IMO if you want a car to put a bike in with minimal hassle then there are really two good options, MPV's or massive estates.

Our family car is a Mere E Class estate, and with the rear seats down it will take any EMTB in the back without having to take wheels off etc - any of its rivals will do the same. If you want a 4x4 I would be tempted to go with one of the "jacked up" options like an Audi all road. Skoda, Volvo, VW, Merc all do versions of their biggest estates with four wheel drive and raised suspension, if your on a budget the Volvos are good value.

MPV wise I think the best route are the Peugeot/Citroen/Vauxhall MPVs base off the partner platform - on the LWB versions you can get a bike in the back with one of the rear seats folded down without taking he wheels off - they are no lookers but in terms of practicality hard to beat, and older models can be got for peanuts.

Finally one option worth considering is a used Skoda Yeti - again no looker but from an MTB point of view they tick all the bikes, can swallow bikes no problem, and you can completely remove the rear seats and turn into a "van" - the 4x4 version are surprisingly capable with the right tyres too.

AWD estate would be ideal if a bike could fit in fully wheeled, I guess your meaning sideways with the seats down? Standing would be nicer.... I could stomach sideways as the car will have mod cons like reverse cameras/sensors etc. I did like the look of the merc GL but omg bracket 50 insurance lol! You could go for an Audi Q7 maybe if going sideways but hmmmm.....I’ll check the yeti

 

[Sander23]

I own a caddy maxy gen 4. Its an awesome car.
The front interior is the same as a golf, fits in 5 people.
The back has around 1.30-1.40m space.
The motor is allmost identical as a golf gtd, ( got it chiptuned to a 200 hp with 460nm). Wich makes it very strong( once had +- 900 kg in the back, and pulled it like a charm)

 

[carlbiker]

I had a GLE63 until I was advised by the wife to sell, that was awesome highly recommend! Now we have a transporter shuttle which to be fair is better suited for bikes, kids, trips away, you can get 4x4 vans although rare.

Why are the insurance so bad on these? I was quoted £1800 for a 10 year old GL...

 

[Mteam]

I don't know much about vans etc, but for what it's worth the wifes 2018 Ford kuga awd seems to work well enough as a bike wagon. With the seats down my Orbea wild fs will go in the back upright if the front wheel is off. Plus with roof bars carrying the normal bikes, it'll take 3 people plus 3 bikes fine. Could probably get more bikes inside with more careful packing.

I'm sure they're all much of a muchness in terms of bike carrying ability. , unless looking at actual vans like transits, transporters, caddys etc.

 

[Pdoz]

AWD would be better at time of writing I didn’t know they existed in vans but seems even the jap imports might do them too

Our ambulances are AWD merc vans , apparently upgraded running gear so they are " safe" at silly speeds whilst carrying a load..

VW was doing awd vans last century, and so was mitsubishi ( l300 )

But you're competing with smart people who want to build campers if you are trying to find one of those second hand - new prices make an orbea seem cheap.

Do you really need the expense and complexity? That tip truck zim posted would be 4 wd with just the read axle

 

[jsharpe]

Since this is an eMTB forum thinking electric seems appropriate. This thread on one of the Rivian forums was talking about using their truck variant (R1T) to haul bikes.

 

[Monkey Dog]

AWD or 4X4 are no good unless you fit the correct tyres.

 

[Mcharza]

You guys have forgotten about the Subaru Outback. Goes anywhere and you can fit in the bikes. The only downside is the high fuel consumption.

 

[MrSimmo]

Why are the insurance so bad on these? I was quoted £1800 for a 10 year old GL...

625bhp meant people kept trying to nick it ? think mine was £1200 and I was 38 when I had it so wasnt a young driver thing.

If you want a pokey 4x4 but also like vans, you could get a 2.0t petrol t6 transporter than take it to rtech in Leicestershire to have a fettle! You could see 400 odd hp out of one ?

 

[apac]

@carlbiker I've got a vw transporter and I put chunky goodrich all terrain tyres on it, as big as would fit. I love it. Not boring to drive in my opinion. They drive just like cars. They are cheap and easy to remap if you want more power. There are two things that go wrong with them.. the EGR and the PDF, both can be mapped out So neither are an issue.