Bike garage between cabin and box : what are the pros and cons of this idea ?
Posted by BlousonCuir@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 33 comments
Hello, i'm planning a box truck build and would like to get a small 125 or 200cc motorcycle.
ive thought about putting it inside the box but it would smell and take lots of space.
ive thought about putting it outside in the back on a bike carrier but im too afraid of thieves and as the back doors will be the only entry of the truck, you would have to move the bike way too much out of the way.
So i've thought about putting the box further away from the cabin (or just putting a smaller box to not have too much overhang) and building an extended over the cab storage or bed part.
It would give you a sort of tunnel to drive the bike into. Then you could hide it on both sides with heavy duty truck curtains or lightweight aluminum doors.
What are your thoughts on that ?
Has anyone done that before (would love pictures or video) ?
What are the pros, cons or flaw you see in this idea ?
Thanks !
becomings@reddit
Biggest concern for me would be space to actually get in and unload/load the bike. You’d waste a fair bit of space just for the access
sparhawk817@reddit
Not exactly what you're trying to do, but these guys have a lot of examples of how modular a flatbed or box truck chassis can be.
https://superlawntrucks.com/listings/new-2025-isuzu-gas-1u4-single-cab-super-contractor-truck-with-48-door-and-8-foot-dump-ready-for-immediate-delivery/
There's also units with a refrigerated chamber up front and then the main box is normal freight, which again, isn't what you're looking for, but might be easy to retrofit, or take ideas from.
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
it helps ! thanks !
ItselfSurprised05@reddit
Check out this one from that site.
It's almost exactly what you are talking about. Fully separate module between the box and cab.
Only thing it is missing is the bed section mounted to the box.
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
yes that's exactly that ! thanks !
Dirty_Vesper@reddit
I’ve seen these forward garages from a couple of the custom truck bed companies. Big enough for motor bike, spare tires, etc.
I feel like this would be rad to have and keep your COG forward. Nice to just have a place to put dirty stuff that not the living space.
Since you’re making it yourself, Would suggest having the ability to just hose down the whole thing and a drain to let the water out.
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
thanks for the picture !!
I was not thinking about a fully enclosed space but rather just a bike wheel rail bolted on the chassis so for hosing down it would be okay.
Thanks for your advice
e4Td4Y3L32aBHqp@reddit
hey blousoncuir, i see the benefits of keeping it simple and leaving it open, however i imagine you would open your garage to find a bike absolutely cover in road crud.
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
i understand what you mean. Problem is the van will likely be a 90's Mercedes T1 410D with a small 2,9L NA engine, that i need to keep under 3,5T because of my driving licence.
So a big box with all things in it + solar panels + batteries + water + honda etc... i'm trying to keep the weight down as much as possible... but i understand what you mean !
JCDU@reddit
Maybe carry less stuff? Most campers in Europe are under 3.5t as above that is often into truck licences etc. and many people can't drive one.
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
what do you mean everything i own fits into 2 backpacks. You are clearly not familiar with truck building in the EU
JCDU@reddit
I very much am, hence I wonder how you can manage to overload a 3.5t van with gear.
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
Gear is not the problem there, the van + the living box are already 2,8T, you add 150kg of water, 70kg of diesel, all furnitures, batteries, solar panels, 140kg of Honda etc etc etc... you become very close to 3,5T, even before putting the gears inside and even if you build light.
its pretty easy to understand i think
PonyThug@reddit
Make the garage around the bike out of plastic panels with aluminum structure. Shouldn’t weight more than 50kg
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
thanks !
WWYDWYOWAPL@reddit
Personally I put a RackAttach swing out carrier on the back of my Transit 250 van for my XT250. I could just drive it up the ramp onto the rack while standing next to it.
Seems like trying to load a bike into a tunnel would be really difficult unless it was tall enough to stand up inside of. Like, how are you going to hold on to the handlebars to keep it upright as you push it through there?
PonyThug@reddit
Only need the bike to be slightly inside the tunnel for it to stay upright tho.
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
i was thinking just riding on it and ducking my head ahah
your swing out carrier fixes the problem with my back doors but not about theft... a small honda is so light, it could be stolen in 5 min off of a back carrier i think
Tyler5280@reddit
This is a slick idea. I googled “RV motorcycle garage” and got some similar images to your excellent illustration.
I think you could simplify it and build the door to come down like a ramp on a toy hauler.
Or so a full length slide out that hinges down.
I was also thinking that box trucks are usually high enough you might be able to under sling a small bike? Sort of like a motor coach luggage tunnel?
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
thanks for your ideas and your appreciation of my MsPaint talent.
the door/ramp thing is a great idea that i didnt think of, it's great ! thanks
Der_Pitbull@reddit
I would make the "garage" at the back end of the box truck, and put the bed over that. That way you could have a passthru from the cab into the box/living area
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
cant do that as the back of the truck will be the main entrance / opening on the outside with a slide out deck for sunsets and thing, i cant have a bed or garage here, it needs to be open
keboh@reddit
Also, weight distribution-wise, having your bike further forward is ideal.
yourefunny@reddit
A couple are building a massive 6x6 MAN truck and have a forward dirtbike garage with a bunch of other stuff in it. Bobby Bolton (@one.life.truck.it) • Instagram photos and videos
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
thanks!!
DakarCarGunGuy@reddit
I'd be worried about possible gas fumes. Put the garage in the rear you could have it open on three sides for better access. Plus you could then if you want to connect the cab to the living space. No need to go outside to get inside.
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
not possible as i wrote in another comment
Sour_Sal@reddit
I love the idea if you can easily load and unload the bike.
I would attach the sleeping area to the living area, you don't want to crawl over the bike to get to the sleeping area.
Yes, because of smells and volatile fumes keep the bike stored in a vented "garage" area and keep it sealed from the living or driving area.
Since the bed is overhead that gives you a lot of room in the living area for comfort and necessary storage.
Depending on the box truck there may also be the ability to add underfloor storage and side boxes for supplies.
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
that's cool i didnt think about underfloor boxes and all ! I still need to be cautious with the weight of the total thing because my license limits me. But thanks for the input !
Sour_Sal@reddit
Yep, best way to save weight is no water storage and use portable containers. also whenever possible make your plywood lightweight by adding holes like a honeycomb, you can reduce about 50% of the weight without losing any strength once installed.
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
I was thinking of a small water storage for the minimum while driving
and then huge underside ones that id keep empty (would make me overweight) but that i would just fill 2 min before settling down somewhere for many days.
Also im planning to build furniture with just battens for the structure with 3mm plywood to cover
hawkmanj@reddit
I’ve seen a handful of expedition vehicles with FWC units on flatbeds with a storage area there called a “garage”. Think it would be a good solution as long as youre comfortable getting it in and out at whatever height the frame top is.
BlousonCuir@reddit (OP)
yeah and having the 150kg of the bike in the center behind the two axle is a good thing i think.
Thanks for your comment