Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More - View Single Post - quick transport-on-minivan-roof question

06-16-2004, 09:13 AM

David Kerber wrote:

> In article <cap3ia$8t2$1@panix2.panix.com>, henry@panix.com says...

>> Howdy. My relatives are coming up to visit, and they're bringing up
>> two bikes with them ("teen/regular" sizes). They've got a Dodge
>> Caravan with factory roof rails. They'll be driving about 350 or so
>> miles from Virginia to NYC. The route will be almost totally on the
>> big interstate highways (relatively smooth roads), about 7 hours or
>> so (passing through Washington DC just to glance at the sights).
>>
>> The minivan will be full inside, so we were wondering if anyone has
>> just tossed a couple of bikes on the roof (front wheels removed, of
>> course) and just tied them down with bungee cords. This is not a
>> regular
>
> Use rope, not bungee cords, and put down an old blanket or something
> to protect the top of the vehicle, and they should be fine. You
> could even leave the front wheels on if you want.

Don't use those cheap, discount store bungee cords. Otherwise, stretchy is
preferable to non-stretchy. A bit of stretch keeps everything tight as the load
shifts, and keeps knots from loosening. Use nylon or dacron rope with a bit of
give to it, or dacron tie-down straps. Heavy duty marine bungee cord is
excellent, but it requires a trip to the marine hardware store.

> The other day I saw a *pile* of bikes on top of a minivan going down
> the interstate. Must have been 3 or 4 bikes there, but they were so
> entangled that I couldn't tell for sure.

I've done this too, and it works fine. To protect the top of the car, a heavy
blanket will work, especially a movers blanket made for this kind of thing.
Even better is dense, thin, ensolite foam, like sleeping bag pads for camping
(not foam rubber). Best of all are rubber bath mats with the suction cups on
the underside. These give great protection, and stay perfectly in place --
which prevents chafing the paint.

Matt O.

06-16-2004, 09:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
Matt O'Toole Posts: n/a	Re: quick transport-on-minivan-roof question David Kerber wrote: > In article <cap3ia$8t2$1@panix2.panix.com>, henry@panix.com says... >> Howdy. My relatives are coming up to visit, and they're bringing up >> two bikes with them ("teen/regular" sizes). They've got a Dodge >> Caravan with factory roof rails. They'll be driving about 350 or so >> miles from Virginia to NYC. The route will be almost totally on the >> big interstate highways (relatively smooth roads), about 7 hours or >> so (passing through Washington DC just to glance at the sights). >> >> The minivan will be full inside, so we were wondering if anyone has >> just tossed a couple of bikes on the roof (front wheels removed, of >> course) and just tied them down with bungee cords. This is not a >> regular > > Use rope, not bungee cords, and put down an old blanket or something > to protect the top of the vehicle, and they should be fine. You > could even leave the front wheels on if you want. Don't use those cheap, discount store bungee cords. Otherwise, stretchy is preferable to non-stretchy. A bit of stretch keeps everything tight as the load shifts, and keeps knots from loosening. Use nylon or dacron rope with a bit of give to it, or dacron tie-down straps. Heavy duty marine bungee cord is excellent, but it requires a trip to the marine hardware store. > The other day I saw a pile of bikes on top of a minivan going down > the interstate. Must have been 3 or 4 bikes there, but they were so > entangled that I couldn't tell for sure. I've done this too, and it works fine. To protect the top of the car, a heavy blanket will work, especially a movers blanket made for this kind of thing. Even better is dense, thin, ensolite foam, like sleeping bag pads for camping (not foam rubber). Best of all are rubber bath mats with the suction cups on the underside. These give great protection, and stay perfectly in place -- which prevents chafing the paint. Matt O.