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I’ve finally got myself a 64 plate Partner Tepee, which after a couple of teething problems which the dealer has sorted, I’m really liking.
What I’m after is some advice on how people are strapping their fully built up bikes in. I’m possibly being a bit dense but I can’t work out a way to do it without using the internal sliding door handle. But I’d like to be able to open the doors with the bikes in.
Plus, any other useful tips greatly appreciated.
Assuming you've taken the seats out? I've just put a couple of zip ties through the top mount for the passenger seatbelts which I leave in place permanently. Then when I put the bikes in I loop a small tie down strap (it's about 60cm long) through the zip tie loop and round the saddle rails, doesn't have to be super strong, it's just enough to keep the bike upright....
mahowlett
Assuming you’ve taken the seats out? I’ve just put a couple of zip ties through the top mount for the passenger seatbelts which I leave in place permanently. Then when I put the bikes in I loop a small tie down strap (it’s about 60cm long) through the zip tie loop and round the saddle rails, doesn’t have to be super strong, it’s just enough to keep the bike upright….
Why didn't I think of that! Yep, all rear seats out, so cable tie each side it is, both me and the wife bike so quite often they'll be two bikes in the back.
Assume you have the front wheels sat in the rear footwell turned at 90deg?
Yeah, though, you might need some pipe lagging on the ends of the bars if they are really wide as they can rub on the roof... though I no longer care... It's not going to have any resale value when I'm done with it anyway 🙂
2 rear seats out, bikes longways down the left side, assembled, front wheels turned nearly 90 left and overlap them. 3 will go like this (and you have 3 seats).
Secure bikes with bungees to the metal hoop that normally locates the seats, and I also loop the base of the rear wheels to the rearmost tie down point.
3 bikes, 3 people, nothing's rubbing and you can open and close both doors at will.
Fits with my XL 29ers including silly long enduro nonsense, so anyone's 3 bikes will fit like that.
If you want to get more in, similar deal but take front wheels out, keep the bikes upright and "top and tail" them, 6 will go in easy with all rear seats out.
If you're going a long way with lots of luggage with 3+3, front wheels out and jam a couple big items of luggage under the forks and bikes in as usual, then wheels down the side.
If you want to do 4+4 bikes: Both wheels off, one seat out. Bikes go upside down, across the boot. Then the extra width by the windows handles the extra length you need for dropouts etc. Then wheels go vertically inline racked in the space where you took a seat out. Simples.
Cheers IA, I'll refer back to this if ever I need more than the two in there. Do they not need strapping high up to stop them toppling over? And I assume you have sheets or something between bike to stop rubbing? I am precious about my bikes!
They don't topple over cos if you bungee from the big metal hoop that secures the top of the seats you've removed, you're generally bungeeing around the top tube area.
They don't move, so they don't rub. If they touch at all it's either between cranks or on the stays by the dropout. In which case if you're precious then jam a glove in there. Depending on bikes the grip of one bike might sit on the stem of the next or something - but that's rubber on metal contact so no issue.
I've had mine since '09 and never had any lost paint/complaints from passengers getting their bikes carried.
Helps a bit to have different sized bungees, and bungee each bike to the hoop as you put it in, then you don't drop them on each other/yourself getting them in/out. And if you slide open the left door (behind the bikes) you have a massive space under the frames to jam kit.
I'll see if I've a loaded pic of it online anywhere...
I bolt mine to fork ups mounted on a plywood stand that fits in the rear footwell. I can get 2 mountain and 2 road bikes behind the drivers seat and still be able to recline the passenger seat ( perfect for those trips to the Alps).
IA
They don’t topple over cos if you bungee from the big metal hoop that secures the top of the seats you’ve removed, you’re generally bungeeing around the top tube area.
Can't picture a the big metal hoop you're talking about, will have another look tonight when sweeping the back out.
Unfortunately I am that precious, well I don't mind bumps & scrapes from riding but it infuriates me when I cause it in the garage or leaning the bike on a concrete fence post etc.