Overland 4x4 Plus Motorcycle
 

A year or so ago, our overland motorcycle trip was cut short.

Much of this related to Mrs Fox's frequent injuries and the subsequent loss of confidence.

So roll on 18 months and "the trip" has found it's way back onto the agenda. However we'll have an additional passenger now, his name is Rusty and he's blonde.

So we have an Idea prep a 4x4 camper type vehicle and carry a motorcycle that can be unhitched and ridden independently along side the overland vehicle or used as a get about when camped up for a few days.

Our driving licenses limit us to a vehicle with with Maximum gross weight 3500kg, and ideally we don't fancy doing a cat c license, and we'd ideally like to avoid a trailer, so we either need a vehicle where the bike can travel inside or a rear mounted rack. It will need to sleep 2 plus space for the dog. Kitchen space etc.

*Edit* Availability in the UK/Europe is obviously a consideration

Our options are limited maybe there are options we haven't consider so over to you guys.

• Ex military ambulance conversion plus rear mc rack. - I know I'll stir arguments but Land rovers don't have the best reliably record
  Mercedes sprinter 313 4x4 Overland conversion (bike can travel in the van with bedroom above, if high top model) - probably as it's not a full on off roader it will be limited as to how far off the beaten track we can get??
  Toyota Hilux (or equivalent) Chassis plus camper box on rear (bike rack required)
  Toyota Hiace/ Mitubishi Delica 4x4 (or equivalent) camper conversion plus bike rack. (do these vehicles have the required nose weight for the bike rack).

Hey guys,

Id definitely look at the Sprinter 4x4, much as I love Land Rovers there simply is not enough room in them for long term living for us (with our 100 lb puppy and cat)

They are expensive vehicles though.... I would personally weld chassis extensions onto the back end and have the bike rack integrated as part of the vehicle, as a separate rack will not last long term with bad corrugations/ washboard, if you do this you just have to make sure it doesn't impact the departure angle too much, have fun!

Hi

I went to have a look at these people's stock last year. They had an ex search and rescue long high roof 4x4 Sprinter which was ok, and a swb high roof auto big engine ex-plod Sprinter that was A1 like new and I really should have bought :(

No connection, and they have some 4x4 Sprinters at the moment so their site says.

Used Vans Didcot, Used Van Dealer in Oxfordshire | Force Vans

I had similar thoughts a few years ago and ended up ditching the idea of the utility of 4 wheel drive; "when carrying a bike, why bother with that?" was the question that I couldn't answer for myself.
Some discussion is in the link;-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-camping-86483

I've seen force vans on tinter web and I'm passing in the next month or so. Currently quite keen on 4wd delica, hiace campers. There's a place in bristol that specialises in importing low milage ones.

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Totally agree with the what's the point comment. If everything on your trip needs to be functional then dont bother with bike. But my answer to why carry motorbike is for enjoyment.

And also to ride to the next town for a tow in the event of breakdown, to scout riverbanks for suitable crossing points but mainly for enjoyment, at the end of the day if you're not enjoying the trip then why bother.

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Aggggh!
That was never the question in my mind or ever a doubt.
The doubt was why bother with 4 wheel drive complications and costs when the bike can go there.

I also liked the look of the Delicas - as you say, they are still brought into the UK from salt-free Japan if only because of the RHD availability.
There are a few folk on ebay who advertise them and specialise in "doing them up" for sale.

Cars and vans' weight restrictions are usually quite maxed-out. So adding a motorcycle means you can have less in the car, this will be a limiting factor.

Get a c-class license.

Then I'll give you my motorcycle - when you buy the truck :D
Click here for out website - truck for sale

me personally i wouldn't bother with the 4x4 either but the reality is that Mrs Fox is never going to be strong enough to ride a motorcycle overland with both her physical issues and yoyoing confidence. Also I haven't yet seen a way of taking the dog on the bike over that distance that I am happy with.

I suspect we are still on different wavelengths.

I do as your OP point above, with lots of variations because of the flexibility afforded by my current solution:-
e.g.
1. Drive the van, two up, with the bike in the back (especially when it is hissing down with rain and/or there is distance to be covered).
2. Park up, ride the bike, two up or solo.
3. Wife drives the van somewhere or other and I ride the bike there and meet up later.

4x4 sprinter
 

Mad as it is, I'm also pondering the idea of a MWB 4x4 sprinter (hi roof) with a bike section in the back. For it to be useful the bike would have to be capable of being pulled in/out in a matter of minutes without having to do anything to it/assemble a front wheel etc.

Having a bike inside doesn't leave as much living space which is a real downside though, and every few 100kgs of extra equipment pushes the weight upwards towards 3500kg, and I'd prefer to have the overall weight as low as possible so it's not hampered too much off road.

Selection of 4x4 sprinters in the UK seems to be less than in Germany etc. Shame

You are going to be really limited on what m/cycle you can hang on the back of a camper , as you will overload the back axle . Certainly a delica or hilux wont cut it . Even landrover will be marginal , as normal loading of a 110
to overland standard with two pax will reach max axle loads . Normal euro style campervans only have enough spare axle capacity to manage a couple of pushbikes. You need a US style RV , or unimog etc to get to say a 250kg 2 wheeler (eg Burgman 400) hung on the back legally.