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[zx10r-Alan]

I'm looking for a van which is small enough to be used everyday as general transport, but which can easily fit 2 bikes (my 10r and my GF's Raptor 1000) and some bags/boxes when we move to spain. I like the look of the Renault Traffic LWB (60mpg appeals), but the rear looks quite compact for 2 big bikes.

Also, for those who travel long distances with bikes in vans, whats the best way to secure them? Do you use front wheel lock chocks and straps, side stand and straps, paddock stand & straps?

[HammyUK]

Trafic LWB will easily swallow 2 bikes and all your gear.
A SWB will take 2 bikes but will be tight for kit.
If you look at the "Brunters" thread you'll see the Movano MWB I had then with bikes, genny, kit, etc in it easily.
May pay to look at a LHD here as no issues matriculating it later on.
Trust me - a RHD is a PITA, they will register it but it's not good being on the "wrong side" permanently.
Or buy a Spanish registered van and use that.

[faulksie]

not sure how true it is, but i heard that rhd vehicles were near on impossible to get registered in Spain.

As far as transporting bikes, i used to have a MWB high roof sprinter van that with two bikes left loads of room for other bits and extra space. The space and height made it easy to load and unload the bikes. Floor height being lower would be a definite advantage, particularly with a damaged bike.

Depending on load, used matress with bike strapped to side of van leaning against it, or if space not required used one of those stands the front wheel fits into, with ties that fit onto the bars, which keep bike upright and gives room each side, or just bike on side-stand, well strapped in.

[zx10r-Alan]

Yea, the Spanish don't let you put a foreign 'commercial' on their plates. It's only until we're established, then we'll buy a Spanish van. Can't buy a Spanish van first as we can't register & insure it until we're residents. And driving a rhd van will be easy after driving a rhd artic around most of Europe.

[HammyUK]

Not quite right - you can put commercials on spanish plates as they can't refuse under EU laws - they just make it "difficult".
Also you CAN buy a spanish reg vehicle without a residencia - you just need a NIE number (social security number).
My wife used to deal with all this stuff when we lived there 
Besides - the residencia can be got from the National Police in about 3 days now.

[zx10r-Alan]

Not quite right - you can put commercials on spanish plates as they can't refuse under EU laws - they just make it "difficult".
Also you CAN buy a spanish reg vehicle without a residencia - you just need a NIE number (social security number).
My wife used to deal with all this stuff when we lived there 
Besides - the residencia can be got from the National Police in about 3 days now.

The problem is that the next time we go over, it'll be to move in (hopefully, unless there are any complications), and we'll need the van before then. How do you register a vehicle when you don't have an address? The same with insurance, surely you need to state where the van is kept?
We can use the british van for 6 months, then we'll bring it back and leave it with a relative to sell unless we can sell it to someone over there wanting to move back to this shit-hole.

[zx10r-Alan]

Does anyone have any photos of a couple of bikes in the back of either the Movano or Vivaro so I can how tight they are and how much space there is left?

[HammyUK]

Look at the Brunters thread - pics of my Movano MWB there

[zx10r-Alan]

I thought I had, and could only see pics of the bikes outside the van. I'll take another look.

[GRNINJA]

This is crazy I took 2 zx10r's happily to bruntingthorpe in an oldish vito...

not sure if I got images but all the used to do is put cushioning against the walls and then rachet the bikes the the wall either side I have enough space in the middle for ramps , spare wheels and tyres, tool boxes 20ltr petrol containers x 2 and I think it had a bass box in the back too...

[zx10r-Alan]

Well i've bought a Vivaro LWB, loads of space for 2 bikes, riding gear and overnight bits including tent/stove etc.

[davemfox]

Transit 

Dave