Vans are ideal vehicles for transporting motorcycles. If you can take out the rows of seats behind the driver, then you can have a large enclosed space that can fit a few bikes and other cargo. Seal the windows that you can hide your load from the world to reduce the risk of theft. The only thing missing is a tie down system to keep your bikes in place while you drive. Answer the following questions before searching for a motorcycle tie down system for vans:
How many bikes do you typically bring?
Most vans can accommodate up to 3 bikes simultaneously although some might be more comfortable with only two. Most people bring only one for their typical weekend rides. Purchase a system that can meet your needs. It might be more prudent for friends to share bike space in a van while they load other supplies in separate cars. This will allow them to maximize the space and the capacity of the motorcycle tie down system for vans.
Would you drill a hole on your van floor?
Some systems will require you to get a drill and create holes on the van floor. You can then screw their products to keep them solid and secure. While this can produce a strong hold, van owners might not be too happy to see holes on their vehicle. There would have to be several of them per bike. If you have three bikes, then that’s a lot of floor damage that might become hard to deal with later on. Other systems will leave the floor alone, instead using D rings, L tracks, and E tracks for security.
What is your experience with tie down systems?
Are you familiar with these systems? Have you been using them for years? Then you might not mind using the most complex products as you can set them up with ease. However, others might prefer simple designs and mechanisms. These can be installed in five minutes or less such that loading and unloading will not be an issue.
Would you like a fixed or a removable system?
If the van is dedicated for bike transport, then you probably won’t mind using a fixed system that stays permanently on the floor. If not, then you will want a removable system that can get out of the way when you have non-bike activities. Most will opt for the latter for versatility.