Outside was my final solution. Hitch mount. Because if not, and once you measured, you’ll have literally 4 ft left. If you use the high platform bed, it’ll be so tight for the bike and for the bed, both will be “usable” but crappy. You wouldn’t even be able to flip over without touching the ceiling.

I’ve seen builds with bikes under and bed on top. Unless you have the extended, there just is not enough room


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Not saying I won’t end up in the same place and prioritize a big bed, but this is where I think some creative hoist and hinges, multiple piece mattress, or Murphy bed might do the trick but I certainly am hoping to find some ideas already proved out!

 

I have the same transit. I frequently ride/race my FC450 and ride mountain bikes too. I went with the adventure wagon Moab bed (comes tomorrow), and risk racing lock n load pro. This bed is adjustable from floor to roof. This way it can be lower with mtbs, little higher when sleeping with dirtbike, or to the roof when you are just at the track for the day.

 

Here's a very early pic of my Murphy bed system. It's a 60/40 split that folds down into one big bed, or I can use one if I'm by myself and need to sleep with bike. Like in a rest area. I made a second version since this pic that is slightly less bulky and lighter. The advantage to this setup is theres room for a big bike like my super tenere or bmw gs, but I can fit two track bikes if someone goes on a track day with me. I used a boltiton chock and it allows me to place the wheel chocks exactly where needed, and I can add/remove chocks or change them depending on wheel size. They make chocks for mtb, dirt bikes, cruisers, sportbikes, etc. Maximum flexibility.

These are old pics, I have since remade the beds slightly differently so they fit against the wall better and give 5" more width across the cargo area. There is also a 2 person middle seat, and fridge.

This is a 148" mr standard length.

The bed is super comfortable with two people. I had the mattresses custom made at a local upholstery shop. With covers, they were a bit over $300.

 

The beds take less than 10 seconds to setup since they can be stored fully made. And the boltiton chock takes about 30 seconds to remove. Obviously, the middle seat is quick release but heavy.

And yes, the drivers side bed is a bit longer as I'm on the tall side. My life partner and my race partner are both shorter and can use the shorter bed. The passenger side bed is shorter to prevent issues getting in from the side door.

 

I have an RB components bed that mounts against the side wall. I usually drive to an event and take the bike out to setup for the weekend. The bike goes outside or in someone else's trailer. On two occasions, I did have to sleep next to the bike. It was tight.

 

Definitely possible with a 148. I had a fixed bed in my last motovan, a promaster 159 ext. I actually loaded the bike backwards to have the bed lower. I opted to downsize for this build and after 2 weeks living out of it and riding nearly everyday I will say it works great. I used the RB designs hinged platform bed mounts to make a foldaway bed. Bed is mounted on L track and is adjustable up and down depending on how I'm using the van. I actually built two identical beds but the other is not installed in this picture, they fold down nearly together when both installed. With this setup I can squeeze 2 bikes inside.

Having to ability to fold the beds up out of the way is great when loading, changing, hanging out, day trips etc. We use this van for skiing and camping and we really this layout. I have a full 4' galley up front and a removable Captain's chair.

I would suggest installing L track and using bike binders to secure your bike, simplifies loading and layout

 

@Jason521 the MOAB bed is definitely something I’ve considered, but to move it up and down you’d have to remove the mattress I think. Agree? That’s a pain.

@AzB great concept, definitely seems workable! Kudos to you for home design. Leads right in to the RB Components ideas…

@Deano @PilchuckVan now this is interesting! I’ve never seen RB Components stuff. But when I look on the website I don’t see this particular side hinge bed. Which specific piece are you using here?
The bike binders are ideal but I haven’t found a product like that that works for ADV bikes. Mine weighs somewhere north of 375 lbs, probably around 405 with all the protection and accessories I have on it.

Thanks!

 

@Jason521 the MOAB bed is definitely something I’ve considered, but to move it up and down you’d have to remove the mattress I think. Agree? That’s a pain.

@AzB great concept, definitely seems workable! Kudos to you for home design. Leads right in to the RB Components ideas…

@Deano @PilchuckVan now this is interesting! I’ve never seen RB Components stuff. But when I look on the website I don’t see this particular side hinge bed. Which specific piece are you using here?
The bike binders are ideal but I haven’t found a product like that that works for ADV bikes. Mine weighs somewhere north of 375 lbs, probably around 405 with all the protection and accessories I have on it.

Thanks!

On their website

Category->Folding Furniture->Sofa Sleeper (76")

Make sure you're sitting down when you get the shipping quote (At least for the East coast)

 

Fridge on the dog crate for night time. That's a Yam 1200 Super Tenere which can come in the side door or be backed in if I back up to have a level ramp.

 

Nice setup. Looks like you designed the bed yourself?

How do you handle the ramp setup for coming in the side door with the moto?

Thank you!

 

Here's how we approached our motovan build

Basic MotoVan/Camper Build

Hey folks, My wife and I have been long-time van fans. Started off in a 94 Dodge B250 and lived out of that for a year full time. Moved on to an Ford Econoline to haul motorcycles with, but replaced that with a more family friendly vehicle after we had a kid. Finally pulled the trigger on a...

www.fordtransitusaforum.com

 

I've been considering a small winch so I could load my super tenere in backwards through the rear doors. I can't even imagine going through the side door... that's impressive!

 

Not my build, but I'd like to do something similar, seal off the rear and loft a sleeping area over the front of the bikes. And probably not a couch either...

 

FWIW, I have a 148 that I've also given a bunk 'n bike mode (rest of the time, has a size full bed, east/west).

I'm using a Risk Racing stand. Haven't used it a ton, but so far so good. So, that's one option, depending on the bike(s). Think my 701 is at the stand's max weight? Can't say how the Risk compares to binders (which I should check out), aside from it prob being stiffer (and pricy).

 

FWIW, I have a 148 that I've also given a bunk 'n bike mode (rest of the time, has a size full bed, east/west).

I'm using a Risk Racing stand to anchor my 701. Haven't used it a ton, but so far so good. So, that's one option to consider, depending on which bike you're carrying. Think mine is at the stand's max weight?

The stand max weight is 315, too low for me unfortunately. I would have loved to use it!

Are you using L-track for your various bed setups?

Currently leaning in this general direction…

 

Two dirtbikes or dual sports in under the bed. Key is going in backwards so you need a ramp long enough to reduce the angle. Backwards loading keeps handlebars closer to back doors so you can get bed lower for more headroom. Has worked fine so far.

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Nice functional setup!!
But as a 140lb female backing my ~400lb ADV bike up a ramp doesn’t give me much confidence.

 

Hi All,
148” high roof Transit here. Setting it up as a camper van and considering my setup options to haul mtb’s, dirt bike and/or ADV bike. My van isn’t built out yet but I loaded a friend’s KTM 1290R this weekend using a Condor chock tied down to the factory tie downs, plus tie downs on the bike. It was nice to have the full floor open for that! Plus room for our mtb’s alongside the KTM.
But I’d like to build out a permanent bed solution and considering whether to maintain room for a moto inside the van or just use hitch/trailer. I want it all inside the van if possible…the unicorn setup lol! Maybe something tilting/Murphy bed style…not sure. Probably wouldn’t be able to fit a 1290 but at least my BMW G310GS which isn’t all that big.

just curious to see others’ setups like this. Plenty of moto (dirt bike) camper setups online to see but not so many with bigger bikes and beds.

thanks in advance for sharing your creative solutions!

Hi All,
148” high roof Transit here. Setting it up as a camper van and considering my setup options to haul mtb’s, dirt bike and/or ADV bike. My van isn’t built out yet but I loaded a friend’s KTM 1290R this weekend using a Condor chock tied down to the factory tie downs, plus tie downs on the bike. It was nice to have the full floor open for that! Plus room for our mtb’s alongside the KTM.
But I’d like to build out a permanent bed solution and considering whether to maintain room for a moto inside the van or just use hitch/trailer. I want it all inside the van if possible…the unicorn setup lol! Maybe something tilting/Murphy bed style…not sure. Probably wouldn’t be able to fit a 1290 but at least my BMW G310GS which isn’t all that big.

just curious to see others’ setups like this. Plenty of moto (dirt bike) camper setups online to see but not so many with bigger bikes and beds.

thanks in advance for sharing your creative solutions!

Hi All,
148” high roof Transit here. Setting it up as a camper van and considering my setup options to haul mtb’s, dirt bike and/or ADV bike. My van isn’t built out yet but I loaded a friend’s KTM 1290R this weekend using a Condor chock tied down to the factory tie downs, plus tie downs on the bike. It was nice to have the full floor open for that! Plus room for our mtb’s alongside the KTM.
But I’d like to build out a permanent bed solution and considering whether to maintain room for a moto inside the van or just use hitch/trailer. I want it all inside the van if possible…the unicorn setup lol! Maybe something tilting/Murphy bed style…not sure. Probably wouldn’t be able to fit a 1290 but at least my BMW G310GS which isn’t all that big.

just curious to see others’ setups like this. Plenty of moto (dirt bike) camper setups online to see but not so many with bigger bikes and beds.

thanks in advance for sharing your creative solutions!

My motovan uses the ramps as a bed platform. We don't do much boondocking, as we look forward to RV park showers and bathrooms after days of riding and motocamping off the bikes. The bikes, F800GS & KLR650, are held down by Pitbull bike restraints.

 

Any info on that winch Sawdog?

 

The winch is just a 2500 pound Outland ATV winch from Harbor Freight. I girth hitch, 1" tubular webbing to the D-rings and loop through

screw
links added to their winch plate. Power is from Transit customer connection point and grounded near e-brake. Anderson style 50 amp quick connect with a strain relief is used between winch and van power.

 

@ 438Transitbuild
What's that gas tank looking thing under the rear bumper ?
What is it used for?

 

I believe that’s a water tank from WaterPORT. Mounts on the hitch.

 

Well, got my Maxxair fan installed today. Next up is Thinsulate insulation. Have to put the bed planning aside for another day. Going to use the van this coming weekend for its first camping trip; mtb only, no moto, so I’ll have plenty of room for my air bed on the floor!

Currently still leaning towards Outlaw MotoVan’s bunk setup mounted to L track and secured with hinge one side and tie downs to ceiling eye bolts on the other. One on each side. Should be simple to build which I like!

 

For the ceiling, if you want to avoid big eye bolts (overhead hazard?), I've had good luck with L track studs/rings in various lengths of L track. (The little round L track "anchors" are also nice, but only take two bolts, so I've not been using them overhead.) I've had good luck sourcing from US Cargo Control.

 

I towed a trailer behind mine and used the van as a trackside base for a couple of years.

 

The direction I'm planning to go if I can ever get a van may not be of much use since I'll be going with an extended but I'll share anyway.

Check out the Transmoto build by Wilderness Vans. https://www.wildernessvans.com/conversions/transmoto/

We plan to do something similar but with an elevator bed.

 

Nice design but too small for my ADV bike.

 

I pulled the bike in backwards with a Harbor Freight 2500 lb ATV winch. I have a 80/20 floor frame so bolted the winch to the 80/20 that goes across the van behind the front seats. Winch has a portable remote. Ramp was a light simple 5" wide, 3" sides, 8' long ramp made from 1/2" plywood. Steady the bike as it goes up the ramp while holding the winch control. The van end of the ramp bolted to another 80/20 extrusion that goes across the van at the rear doors. Hinge at van connection.

 

Super Tenere and GS are about 7.5 ft. With my front tire tucked into the back corner and bars turned, here's where the back ends up:

 

Figure that I can chime in on this. This was the layout in my E-350 which was sadly stolen, but I used it for hauling myself and either my Multistrada, my SV650 track bike, or my Husky 501 (which was stolen along with the van).

This was a former wheelchair van, and I used the lift to move the bikes in and out. Honestly I'm not sure it was actually any faster than a ramp, but it sure was cool.

I'll be doing something similar with my upcoming 2022 Transit that I just ordered, although I won't have a wheelchair lift. I'll make do with a ramp and likely a small winch, but the layout will be similar.

 

now THAT’S a way to load a moto!!!

gotta be honest had no idea so many people used winches to load motos. Never seen that in person before.

 

My track hauler, needs more attention to the interior now though.

 

I haven’t installed my risk racing lock n load pro yet, but with that installed I should be able to lower the bed even more since the bars won’t have to be turned like that.

The Moab bed is literally the perfect setup in my opinion. I don’t always have a dirtbike so it’s super nice being able to lower the bed to any position and still use the entire cargo floor space of the van. You can also remove panels from the platform to make more standing space when not sleeping. Mattress is a queen size.

 

There is almost always at least one motorcycle in the van. I built the bike rack.
It is very heavy duty and adjustable but permanently mounted