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 I have a Hymer 644 with the underbed garage. Just wondered if anyone had used this space for taking a motorcycle with them? I have toyed with the idea of having a rack fitted but they are very expensive and to be honest don't really fancy having my pride and joy there waiting for someone to steal bits of it! Towing a trailer gets really annoying at the best of times with a car, so could imagine it being a nightmare with the van. Not only the speed issue, but parking would be impossible.

Have seen ramps advertised somewhere which can be used to push the bike into the garage. Has anyone tried this and had any problems? My bike weighs 200kg, but doesn't put me over the weight restrictions.

Any ideas gratefully recieved.

200 kilos may not put you over the gross weight of your van, but all that weight will be behind the rear wheels. This will make the front end very light and compromise the handling. A motorcycle rack fixed to the rear usually only go up to 160 kilos max. Motorhomes usually have a payload of 400 to 700 kilos, then you have to take into account of any accessories such as a canopy awning and all the items you carry, a 200 kilo bike could put you overweight. So a trailer is probably the only way to go.

What bike is it btw ?

Hi biker Jeff.

Yeah, I had thought about the handling thing and have to agree with you. I thought that by moving forward a few feet by going from a rack to inside the garage it might help, but like you say 200 kilos is a bit much!

I have a couple of bikes, a 600 Thundercat and a Ducati 996 which the manual says weighs 196 kilos without fuel.

I have just got into the campervan thing having only had the hymer now 3 months. I have this dream of going up to Scotland and getting the leathers on and having a fantastic ride out, without worrying about finding biker friendly b&b's/the weather etc.

Guess the only way to go is for a bike trailer, which I don't think is very expensive. I do worry about parking up and having bits nicked of it though. I guess campsites don't mind vans towing bike trailers do they? Or is this another extra charge!

Hi Farrier... Nice bikes.

But i wouldnt trust the company's official weights. Bike manufacturers are notorious for skimping on the listed specification weights of their bikes, because sports bikes are marketed to be as light as possible. These weights never take any fluids into account, water, oil, fuel, brake fluid, it all adds up. I've had bikes that have been 30 kilos over the official weight in the spec, and thats before any accessories i've added.

You can get covered lockable trailers for motorcycles, this also makes them a lot more visible in your mirrors.

 Hi there twooks! My mother bless her would love to get on the back of the bike. I'm afraid her 'getting her knee down' days are long gone. In fact she has had both of them replaced, along with a hip/elbow and shoulder. We reckon she is going to be worth a few quid in scrap one day!  We do get some strange looks at the x-ray machines at the airports! Ain't arthritis a terrible thing!

Still she loves the campervan. As for your reply Bridge99, I reckon that as my camper is a 6 berth, and I am only taking my Mum and a Jack Russel Terrier, the bike weighs less than 4 rotund adults and their luggage/beer! So I may just get it in the garage, make sure it is well tied down and give the van a run round the block and see what happens. As you say you have a test bike and unless it is in an enclosed trailer, then bits will be widely available to any budding Valentino Rossi that happens to be passing.

I second everthing Twooks has said, I have been down this road myself very recently and came to the conclusion the best and safest way to go is a trailer. Having decided I found and bought a lovely single bike trailer on Ebay.

Regards   Tone

Thanks guys. Nothing like listening to someone who has been there and done that! Will have to do the same and buy a bike trailer and do it properly, like you say, e-bay seems a good place to start. Setting of for Italy via the Alps in a fortnight (not taking the bike). This is our first trip abroad and I am so looking forward to it. 16 days and all that sunshine (hopefully) and wine!! This is what it's all about.

Regards Farrier.

I have an idea get someone to drive your van up, and ride the bike up there yourself, much quicker and much more fun!! or someone could ride it for you, I passed my bike test 18 years ago and should be free when your going to Scotland.

Titter titter my husband won`t let me have another bike he thinks they is too dangerous especially whenI have a 6 year  old to think about.

Rachelle