C2rower Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 I am in the process of replacing my odyssey minivan which died recently. We would like to be able to remove the rear seats and put our mtn bikes in our new vehicle, including a 29er tandem. The front wheel is easily removable, and the distance from the front fork axle point to the back of the rear wheel is 87 inches. I was thinking if the center console between the front seats can be removed, the rear wheel could be between the front seats and the fork drop outs could be secured to a fork mount in the floor at the back of the van. An odyssey or sienna van would accommodate the tandem easily, but they they are bigger more expensive vehicles. The transit connect is an interesting package that would also get better mileage. Does this seem workable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ccrew Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 (edited) I can get a medium frame Fatbike (Salsa Mukluk) in and if I juggled i could probably get my BMC Trailfox in but I haven't tried so I can't say for sure. My cross bike and my road bike definitely. The console removal won't lend much to aesthetics however. With the factory roof rack if you're reasonably tall you could put bike/bikes up there by stepping in the side door as a stepstool. As far as the tandem going up there get the wagon with the rear barn doors instead of the hatch and it's an easy two-person as long as it's not some steel frame tank I'm going to put two kayak racks up there as soon as the weather breaks. Factory cross rails are Thule and you can't buy them for what the option costs. I also have a trailer hitch and one of the build it yourself Harbor Freight trailers for dragging stuff like sheets of plywood. You can't lay a sheet of plywood flat in it but with all the seats down it's all flat. Flip the passenger seat down and you can get 2x4's in and shut the hatch but the passenger has to sit behind the driver. We use ours for what it was designed for and we love it. It's not going to win races but we towed a 2000lb Uhaul with it VA to Denver and got 19mpg People turn heads to figure out what it is. my coworkers didn't know it was mine and mentioned it as "that eurovan" Edited April 2, 2016 by Ccrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C2rower Posted April 2, 2016 Author Share Posted April 2, 2016 Its a Salsa Powderkeg. 1x11 final drive SRAM with E-thirteen's new 9x44 cassette, absolute Black oval ring. Shimano XT stoker crank. Magura MT5, Stans Flow rims, Chris king ISO disc. Gravel Grinder bike. I'm going out to VanBortel in Rochester with tape measure this morning. i hate roof racks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ccrew Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Its a Salsa Powderkeg. 1x11 final drive SRAM with E-thirteen's new 9x44 cassette, absolute Black oval ring. Shimano XT stoker crank. Magura MT5, Stans Flow rims, Chris king ISO disc. Gravel Grinder bike. I'm going out to VanBortel in Rochester with tape measure this morning. i hate roof racks. I hear ya. Keep in mind the USB and AUX connections are inside the console and the power plug is in the front so the idea of removing the console is more than a unscrew and remove. Length wise with the front wheel off however inside my money is on that it will fit. Personally I'm fine with roof racks but overhangs when loaded make me nervous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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