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Tandems IN cars

Huw Thomas2013-06-19 19:25:20

Hello all

I need a new car and - ideally - want one that I can fit a tandem into (Orbit Routier).

I could get a van or a roof rack but would love to know if anyone has discovered a car (people mover or estate) that it's easy to get a tandem in and out of. Preferably without any dismantling!

Partly just want to use the car for getting out of town and then heading off on rides but will also want something with enough oomph to tow a caravan for longer trips abroad. Hopefully, also want something economical for those long journeys.

Thanks in advance for all advice! Cheers, Huw

Ian T2013-06-20 14:27:18

You'll struggle with "oomph to tow a caravan" and "economical".

I could fit mine with just front wheel off in the back of a Volvo V90 / 900/ 700 series volvo. The Diesel versions are relativley economical and they are cheap to buy. I now have a V70 and suspect I could do the same but haven't yet tried, although the V70 is quite as large as the V90.

Andrew Bristow2013-06-20 16:04:05

I have seen an undismantled Dawes Galaxy Twin inside, fittingly, a Ford Galaxy.

: Hello all

: I need a new car and - ideally - want one that I can fit a tandem into (Orbit
: Routier).

: I could get a van or a roof rack but would love to know if anyone has
: discovered a car (people mover or estate) that it's easy to get a tandem
: in and out of. Preferably without any dismantling!

: Partly just want to use the car for getting out of town and then heading off
: on rides but will also want something with enough oomph to tow a caravan
: for longer trips abroad. Hopefully, also want something economical for
: those long journeys.

: Thanks in advance for all advice! Cheers, Huw

Roy Bradshaw2013-06-20 19:13:56

Similar story to Ian's. I had a Peugeot 406 estate which would take my tandem OK after removing the front wheel - tip the rear seat backs forward and with the front end of the tandem resting on the top of the rear seats it partially drops into the gap behind the front seats, then drop the wheels into the same space.

I had been pleased with the 406 but bought a newer 407 2 litre diesel. Surprise! The distance from the back of the front seats to the rear of the car was shorter and I have to remove both wheels, Furthermore although it didn't affect the tandem too much, the rear door slopes inwards towards the top and makes putting in two solos, one on top of the other, rather fiddly. The engine etc on the 407 is far superior to the 406 and I get about 47 mpg general running and 34 mpg towing the caravan travelling at about 60mph on a mainly motorway journey and plenty in reserve if you need to get past a slower vehicle in a bit of a hurry. A friend has a 1.6 Citroen C5 and says he gets 44 mpg when towing the caravan but he has a slightly smaller caravan, and I rather suspect rose tinted spectacles when talking about his car.

I'm afraid the Peugeot is a case of Style over Practicality, but apart from that niggle I am satisfied with the 407, and as most cars appear to have been designed from the same computer program, perhaps other newer cars suffer the same way, Best to take the tandem along and try getting it in before you buy.

ericonabike2013-06-26 21:27:13

Buy a 2005 Citroen Berlingo with 2/1 split rear seat and non-carpeted load bay. Remove single rear seat [secured with 4 Torx screws] and passenger headrest. Move passenger seat fully forward and recline it fully. Lower rear seat on tandem. Roll tandem inside, rear wheel first, strap down with ratchet straps. Insert co-pilot into rear double seat. Reverse process on arrival.

Russell Wiles2013-06-27 13:13:50

: Hello all

: I need a new car and - ideally - want one that I can fit a tandem into (Orbit
: Routier).

: I could get a van or a roof rack but would love to know if anyone has
: discovered a car (people mover or estate) that it's easy to get a tandem
: in and out of. Preferably without any dismantling!

: Partly just want to use the car for getting out of town and then heading off
: on rides but will also want something with enough oomph to tow a caravan
: for longer trips abroad. Hopefully, also want something economical for
: those long journeys.

: Thanks in advance for all advice! Cheers, Huw

The only car to consider is a Citroen Xsara Picasso. Numerous members of the Tandem Club have seen ours and bought one for themselves.

It's practical, comfortable and economical and will take a tandem with only the front wheel out.

John O'Neil2013-10-16 20:05:29

: The only car to consider is a Citroen Xsara Picasso. Numerous members of the
: Tandem Club have seen ours and bought one for themselves.

: It's practical, comfortable and economical and will take a tandem with only
: the front wheel out.

Just browsing this site as we've just bought a tandem. As luck would have it we also have a Citroen Xsara Picasso. We've got to pick up the tandem on Saturday and were going to go by train and ride it home however it's going to chuck it down and we want our first ride to be a pleasant experience so.......
Just how do you get a tandem in a Picasso. Would hate to drive over only to find we couldn't get it in.

TIA

Tim Hall2013-10-16 20:18:09

: Just browsing this site as we've just bought a tandem. As luck would have it
: we also have a Citroen Xsara Picasso. We've got to pick up the tandem on
: Saturday and were going to go by train and ride it home however it's going
: to chuck it down and we want our first ride to be a pleasant experience
: so.......
: Just how do you get a tandem in a Picasso. Would hate to drive over only to
: find we couldn't get it in.

: TIA
Just in case Russell doesn't see this thread before you pick up your tandem, I thought I'd jump in with what I remember of what he does. Seats down, to give a flat loading area, front wheel out, reverse tandem in snugly between the front seats. I think he's got a block of wood with quick release spindle fixed to it to take the, now empty, front forks. You may have to deploy tactical bungees in its place. Job done.

John O'Neil2013-10-16 20:35:37

: Just in case Russell doesn't see this thread before you pick up your tandem,
: I thought I'd jump in with what I remember of what he does. Seats down, to
: give a flat loading area, front wheel out, reverse tandem in snugly
: between the front seats. I think he's got a block of wood with quick
: release spindle fixed to it to take the, now empty, front forks. You may
: have to deploy tactical bungees in its place. Job done.

Thanks very much for that Tim. We'll give it a go and if we can't make it work I'll ride it home on me tod.

Russell Wiles2013-10-16 21:37:27

: Just browsing this site as we've just bought a tandem. As luck would have it
: we also have a Citroen Xsara Picasso. We've got to pick up the tandem on
: Saturday and were going to go by train and ride it home however it's going
: to chuck it down and we want our first ride to be a pleasant experience
: so.......
: Just how do you get a tandem in a Picasso. Would hate to drive over only to
: find we couldn't get it in.

: TIA

Hi John

Tim has the right idea with his description. I have sent emails with pictures to others who have asked the same question so will work out how to post them here or I will email them to you if you let me have your address.

Russell Wiles2013-10-16 21:47:12

It's too late and too dificult to work out what to do so I hope this explains things - apologies for the rotation. Send me an email and I'll let you have the other photos.

Huw Thomas2013-06-27 16:16:54

Thanks to you all for the advice so far - much appreciated.

I've also been looking online and have now got my eye on a VW Caddy Maxi - with a 2.26m load space it should just take the tandem without having to take out any wheels.

I know it's more of a van than a car but...

Jeremy Pascoe2013-07-01 22:33:16

Hi

I use hire cars quite a lot to move my tandem around. it is suprising what you can get it it. Ours is a mountain tandem so a long fork and wide bars and a rack

all with both front seats in use

Vauxhall meriva - both wheels off and only just - bars had to be turned as well

toyota Avensis estate easily in with wheels off

toyota rav 4 - easy with wheels off

Mondeo hatchback - just in with wheels off

Berling - stripped right down - fork off as well but 4 people in the car Using a crtidge headset its easy to remove the fork.

Alex Reeves2013-07-03 20:49:13

You can also put tandems in or on Saloon cars. In the photo is a picture of a tandem in my Passat saloon, with still room for 3 people.


Lisa Bevan2013-07-21 05:44:33

: You can also put tandems in or on Saloon cars. In the photo is a picture of a
: tandem in my Passat saloon, with still room for 3 people.

We have a passat estate and can JUST get our girl in with wheels off, passenger front seat right the way forward, and rear seats fully down. I would love more details on your technique, but suspect our front pannier racks are the culprit for adding difficulty......

indy2013-08-09 08:35:38

You can even get a tandem inside a Honda Jazz:

http://www.blayleys.com/articles/cars/

Peter Valente2013-08-16 07:52:47

I use a Mark 2 Berlingo. I generally have the rear seats out anyway but they are quickly removable and it is only necessary to remove the double seat.

I made up a bracket to hold the front fork with wheel removed and the tandem goes in upright with the rear wheel between the front seat backs. With this set up I can also carry two solos along with the tandem.

I don't find removal of the front wheel to be a hassle in order to get the bike in the car. It is possible to fit the thing in without remving the front wheel but that requires very careful positioning and takes up more space than is convenient if you want to get anything else in.

I admit that it would be much easier for many cars if mudguards were not fitted but that is not a practical suggestion in my view.

Sheila Margaret Ward2013-10-13 17:00:42

: I use a Mark 2 Berlingo. I generally have the rear seats out anyway but they
: are quickly removable and it is only necessary to remove the double seat.

: I made up a bracket to hold the front fork with wheel removed and the tandem
: goes in upright with the rear wheel between the front seat backs. With
: this set up I can also carry two solos along with the tandem.

: I don't find removal of the front wheel to be a hassle in order to get the
: bike in the car. It is possible to fit the thing in without remving the
: front wheel but that requires very careful positioning and takes up more
: space than is convenient if you want to get anything else in.

: I admit that it would be much easier for many cars if mudguards were not
: fitted but that is not a practical suggestion in my view.

We have a Fiat Ulysse people carrier, and can fit our 1998 Thorn tandem in with the front wheel removed on its side or vertically without removing the front wheel. When it is flat we still support it (after years) with our first idea which was various polystyrene bits out of a computer box. Always meant to do something tailor-made but never got round to it. If we put it in vertically (it has to poke in between the front seats)we use luggage type ratchet straps to hold it vertical.

Roland Collicott2022-10-06 21:34:48

Hello,

We need to get another car (currently have a C3 picasso) and the longest tandem we have is a mountain bike one (~2.6 m long). We can get this in our picasso, with the front wheel out and the front seat down, but given we need to change the car, can anyone recommend a car that we don't need to take the front wheel out or fold the front seat down, please? Also, any recommendations that are a hybred or electric car??

Many thanks

Wendy

Roland Collicott2022-10-06 21:34:48

Hello,

We need to get another car (currently have a C3 picasso) and the longest tandem we have is a mountain bike one (~2.6 m long). We can get this in our picasso, with the front wheel out and the front seat down, but given we need to change the car, can anyone recommend a car that we don't need to take the front wheel out or fold the front seat down, please? Also, any recommendations that are a hybred or electric car??

Many thanks

Wendy

Martin Thompson2022-10-07 08:30:45
We have a VW Caddy Maxi. It takes our full length tandem without removing any wheels with driver and two passengers plus loads of luggage room. There is a ramp (for a wheelchair) that makes the whole process simple and painless. Without the tandem it takes an extra passenger. Martin 
Malcolm Gammon2022-10-07 10:51:39
We have a VW Caravelle. This takes a tandem easily without removing any wheels. When we bought it we specified the 6 seat option instead of a 3rd row bench seat. This allows the tandem to slot down the middle. No hybrid versions available. With 4 motion and 204 bhp It’s a fantastic tow car too. The new version VW Multivan has just arrived (Caravelle replacement) and is in hybrid form if required. However the headroom at the rear door is reduced from the Caravelle and our tall Gepida tandem won’t fit. I think most tandems will go in though. Some dealers still have new Caravelles for sale. Malcolm. 
Michael Hughes2022-10-07 16:12:52

I have a Berlingo based Romahome motor caravan and a Dawes Double Edge tandem. 50 mpg on a Continental tour at least 45 mpg local running (diesel) no hassle with parking and can even use multistorey car parks. Tandem is230 cm long but available length is 260 with the front wheel between the backrests of the front seats.

The Dacia Logan is probably one of the best estates but the maximum length of the loadspace with an inhabited front seat is only 2 meters and the height of the tailgate aperture is only 80 cm with everything in place my Dawes has a height of approx 1 metre. If you can get your tandem into your caravan for travel to a holiday destination you might consider using a trailer for your local trips. One built like a dinghy trailer would suffice. An alternative to the caravan might be a trailer tent equipped with a large luggage rack for the tandem. If you take your holidays in warm and sunny places the tent aspect is not much of a concern and towing a trailer tent rather than a caravan has several advantages.

I have used roof racks but very much prefer not to.(I am 80 plus),

Andy Rice2022-10-07 17:48:57

For many years (17) we had a Mondeo 2lt turbo diesel estate. We could easily get our tandem in the back with just the front wheel removed.

We also towed a caravan with it for a number of years.

When not towing it would do 55-60mph on the motorway too. 
Last year we traded it in for an MG5 electric estate car. It's smaller than the Mondeo obviously, more like a Focus estate but we can still get out tandem in the back with a bit of work (no mudguards and both wheels out). We went to the French Alpes last summer and it was a straightforward drive. 
Can't tow with it unfortunately so not suitable for OP but certainly an interesting option if not towing. 
 

Andy

Roland Collicott2022-10-08 09:45:15

Thank you all for your comments! I've had a look on-line at some of the cars suggested; now need to look into them more closely. Think i feel a spreadsheet coming on :-)

Thanks again - much appreciated!

Roland and Wendy

2023-03-14 18:56:12

I wonder if Martin Thompson could say what length his "full length" tandem is. Ours is 2.5m

Also what year his Caddy Maxi is. Manufacturers seem to change the interior layout from year to year, usually by adding more gadgets, leaving less space for essential items like tandems!

Sheila Ward2023-03-22 10:29:03

I warmly recommend our Citroen New Berlingo 7 seater with the third row removed (and tucked away for ever at the back of the garage!). We bought it for the enormous Greenspeed tandem trike which comes in two halves and fits in with inches to spare, but our upright goes in easily whole with the second row seats folded and the rear wheel between the front seats (leaves enough room to change gear. We have the electric handbrake version so no handbrake to get in the way.) Captain has made a simple bit of wood to level up the rear wheel a bit as the folded back is not totally flat. There are handy points to thread through some retaining straps.This leaves loads of room for luggage.

Can supply pics if required.

Sally Kertzman2023-03-22 18:51:50
We have a VW Caddy Maxi life. This is the second one we have bought as they are so fantastic. The storage space is tremendous e.g. we have been able to get 3 bikes, a wheelchair and 4 people in with all their baggage. The tandem rolls diagonally in without adjusting. Usually we replace the front wheel with a small wheel (from our Bob Yak but a small child's bike wheel would do) then it fits flush against the side. We can then use the other space to full capacity (which may involve all our work kit for timing races). Our old Caddy is still going strong after 12 years as our daughter is now using it to get both their bikes to cycle races. Good fuel economy as well.