Bike Storage In a Van/Toy Hauler

howlinhoss · July 25th, 2016, 06:11 PM

Need some advice about bike storage in a van/toy hauler.
I do not have a garage so I park my bike outside under a quality cover. However, last week I picked up a Chevy Express Cargo Van strictly for trackdays and I am thinking about using it to store my bike.

Other than putting the bike up on stands, covering up the windows to avoid direct sunlight, taking the bike off the chock, loosening up the straps and avoiding extreme high temps is there anything else I should consider doing? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Pics for attention.

Snake · July 25th, 2016, 06:52 PM

Awesome toy hauler.

CaliGrrl · July 25th, 2016, 07:23 PM

Car cover so nobody can see that you have bikes inside? Or a wheel immobilizer so nobody can steal the whole van with bikes?

Ghostt · July 25th, 2016, 11:42 PM

Black out the windows, totally black them out, like paint.

Perhaps change out the windows with either steel, like a panel van, or Lexan.

Install better door locks.

Install a serious alarm.

AwDang · July 26th, 2016, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghostt

Black out the windows, totally black them out, like paint.

sign vinyl works great

VaFish · July 26th, 2016, 05:14 AM

I've been looking for a similar van or panel van for my son who is in the Army and has to store his bike outside.

I would be concerned about gas fumes building up in the van. An RV roof vent would be a good idea.

Around here many vans get broken into and tools or whatever get stolen out of them. Many of the vans have locks like this on the doors.

AwDang · July 26th, 2016, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaFish

I would be concerned about gas fumes building up in the van. An RV roof vent would be a good idea.

I've been looking for a similar van or panel van for my son who is in the Army and has to store his bike outside.

If your fuel system is functioning properly, it isn't a problem even with carb bikes

VaFish · July 26th, 2016, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwDang

If your fuel system is functioning properly, it isn't a problem even with carb bikes

Same with boat engines, but if you have an inboard you always open the cover or vent the engine compartment before starting them.

I think a pop up roof vent with a solar powered fan would be a good idea.

AwDang · July 26th, 2016, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaFish

Same with boat engines, but if you have an inboard you always open the cover or vent the engine compartment before starting them.

I think a pop up roof vent with a solar powered fan would be a good idea.

In a perfect world, constant air conditioning for the bikes safety and comfort is ideal. Sure a roof vent would be nice, but I'm not willing to open a 12x12 hole in my rain proof over head cover.

I live this everyday, you're speculating and best guessing.

VaFish · July 26th, 2016, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwDang

In a perfect world, constant air conditioning for the bikes safety and comfort is ideal. Sure a roof vent would be nice, but I'm not willing to open a 12x12 hole in my rain proof over head cover.

I live this everyday, you're speculating and best guessing.

I have a 12"x12" covered roof vent in my 26' travel trailer. It's been open for the last 15 years I have owned the trailer and not let any rain in.

We all have to do what makes us comfortable. If I'm parking a motorcycle in a van in a sunny parking lot the van will have a roof vent on it. You are free to do whatever you want.

We are just going to have to agree to disagree on this.

InvisiBill · July 26th, 2016, 05:54 AM

Another free security tip is just to back the van up against another object. It's a lot harder to get anything out of it if the doors can't actually be opened.

Some security features on the van would be a good idea though. Alarm, cover the windows, etc. On some vehicles, you can pull a single fuse to disable them without much cost or effort. Obviously, that's something easy to fix if a thief looks for it, but at least they can't just hop in and take off.

howlinhoss · July 27th, 2016, 09:18 PM

Thanks for all the tips! I am definitely going to cover the windows with vinyl or paint, install a door lock on the back/side doors, and invest in an alarm. I do not know if I am comfortable installing a roof vent but its definitely an option. Will post up when I get some of these van mods completed.

csmith12 · July 28th, 2016, 06:05 AM

Do you plan on running a battery tender on either of those bikes during longer periods of storage? If so, how do you plan on powering the tender? I story my bikes in my enclosed trailer over the winter, but it has proper electric hookups and such.

Triple Jim · July 28th, 2016, 06:50 AM

Obviously the amount of security precautions you need to take depends on where you live. I've left my motorcycles in an open trailer and in my window van at my house for several days at a time without locking anything. Where you live in MD, out in the MD countryside or in the DC or Baltimore suburbs for example, has a lot to do with how much security you need.

howlinhoss · July 28th, 2016, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

Do you plan on running a battery tender on either of those bikes during longer periods of storage? If so, how do you plan on powering the tender? I story my bikes in my enclosed trailer over the winter, but it has proper electric hookups and such.

When storing over the winter, I plan on taking out my batteries and put them on tenders.

csmith12 · July 28th, 2016, 07:26 AM

Ah removal! Sometimes problems have simple answers like that!

howlinhoss · July 28th, 2016, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

Ah removal! Sometimes problems have simple answers like that!

If only becoming faster was that simple!

July 25th, 2016, 06:11 PM	#1
howlinhoss ninjette.org member Name: Jose Location: Maryland Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300 Posts: 93	Bike Storage In a Van/Toy Hauler Need some advice about bike storage in a van/toy hauler. I do not have a garage so I park my bike outside under a quality cover. However, last week I picked up a Chevy Express Cargo Van strictly for trackdays and I am thinking about using it to store my bike. Other than putting the bike up on stands, covering up the windows to avoid direct sunlight, taking the bike off the chock, loosening up the straps and avoiding extreme high temps is there anything else I should consider doing? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks! Pics for attention.

July 25th, 2016, 11:42 PM	#4
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	Black out the windows, totally black them out, like paint. Perhaps change out the windows with either steel, like a panel van, or Lexan. Install better door locks. Install a serious alarm. __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

July 26th, 2016, 05:54 AM	#11
InvisiBill EX500 full of EX250 parts Name: Bill Location: Grand Rapids-ish, MI Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): '18 Ninja 400 • '09 Ninja 500R (selling) • '98 VFR800 (project) • '85 Vulcan VN700 (sold) Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Aug '15	Another free security tip is just to back the van up against another object. It's a lot harder to get anything out of it if the doors can't actually be opened. Some security features on the van would be a good idea though. Alarm, cover the windows, etc. On some vehicles, you can pull a single fuse to disable them without much cost or effort. Obviously, that's something easy to fix if a thief looks for it, but at least they can't just hop in and take off. __________________________________________________ * Unregistered, I'm not your mom and I'm not paying for your parts, so do whatever you want with your own bike. *

July 28th, 2016, 06:05 AM	#13
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Do you plan on running a battery tender on either of those bikes during longer periods of storage? If so, how do you plan on powering the tender? I story my bikes in my enclosed trailer over the winter, but it has proper electric hookups and such. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

July 28th, 2016, 07:26 AM	#16
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Ah removal! Sometimes problems have simple answers like that! __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

July 25th, 2016, 06:52 PM	#2
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Awesome toy hauler.

July 25th, 2016, 07:23 PM	#3
CaliGrrl ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kerry Location: Ventura, CA Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16	Car cover so nobody can see that you have bikes inside? Or a wheel immobilizer so nobody can steal the whole van with bikes?

July 27th, 2016, 09:18 PM	#12
howlinhoss ninjette.org member Name: Jose Location: Maryland Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300 Posts: 93	Thanks for all the tips! I am definitely going to cover the windows with vinyl or paint, install a door lock on the back/side doors, and invest in an alarm. I do not know if I am comfortable installing a roof vent but its definitely an option. Will post up when I get some of these van mods completed.

July 28th, 2016, 06:50 AM	#14
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	Obviously the amount of security precautions you need to take depends on where you live. I've left my motorcycles in an open trailer and in my window van at my house for several days at a time without locking anything. Where you live in MD, out in the MD countryside or in the DC or Baltimore suburbs for example, has a lot to do with how much security you need.

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