How Many Bikes Can You Fit in a Transit Van? (3 Bike Types, 5 Vans)

If you’re an avid adventurer like myself, you are likely curious about how many bikes you can fit in your transit van. With how many different vans there are and the various bike types, it can be challenging to pinpoint the exact number of bikes that will fit in a vehicle. If you know the interior measurements of a van you have and the sizes of the bikes you want to transport, you can easily work out how many will fit in your transit van.

How many bikes you can fit in a transit van will largely depend on the type of transit van you have and what kind of bikes you will place within it. Generally, you can fit four motorcycles or five bicycles, or four dirt bikes inside a large transit vehicle.

There are also a few methods you can use to fit more bikes in, which we'll discuss later in this article.

Different Van Length Dimensions

Below are the different van length interior dimensions for the transit vans we have mentioned in this article. We have also included the maximum cargo carrying capacity for the largest wheelbase length, which is important to note when determining how many bikes you can fit in a van.

Mercedes Transit Van
Inside Dimensions	L1	L2	L3	L4	Width
Interior Length (mm)	2607	3272	4307	4707	1787
Interior length (inch)	102.6	128.8	169.5	185.3	70.3

Ford Transit Connect Van
Inside Dimensions	L1	L2	L3	L4	Width
Interior Length (mm)	1786	2152	-	-	1543/1496
Interior length (inch)	70.31	84.72	-	-	60.74/58.89

Nissan NV Van
Inside Dimensions	L1	L2	L3	L4	Width
Interior Length (mm)	3048	3048	3048	-	1783.0
Interior length (inch)	120.0	120.0	120.0	-	70.2

Ram ProMaster Van
Inside Dimensions	L1	L2	L3	L4	Width
Interior Length (mm)	2670	3120	3705	4070	1920.0
Interior length (inch)	105.1	122.8	145.9	160.2	75.6

GMC Savana Van
Inside Dimensions	L1	L2	L3	L4	Width
Interior Length (mm)	3929.	4410	-	-	1332.7
Interior length (inch)	154.7	173.65	-	-	52.47

Amount of Bikes per Type and Van Length

Below is the table of different bike types and their dimensions that we have used to determine how many bikes can fit in the various transit vans. We have also provided a brief description of each van and the measurement calculations of the different bikes showing how many of each model you can fit in. We have used the smallest and largest wheelbase lengths to determine how many bikes would fit.

Bike Type	Bike Name	Wheelbase Length (inches)	Width (inches)	Weight (pounds)
Motorcycle	2021 Yamaha MT-07	55.11	30.7	394.60
Mountain Bicycle	2021 Yeti Cycles SB130 Turq T1 XT	47.46	30.7	30.09
Dirt Bike	2021 Honda CRF450RL	58.9	33.3	291.0

The formula used to establish how many bikes fit in the smallest and largest van lengths: Length x Width of Van = Total Cargo Area (inch) ÷ Length x Width of Bike = Total Area of Bike (inch)

2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van

The largest transit van on our list is the 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter. This van offers plenty of state-of-the-art features and the largest cargo carrying capacity available on the market. These vans are known for their impressive safety features and for being incredibly easy to drive and maneuver.

Unlike other transit vans, you will have the option of choosing a four-wheel-drive capability with the 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter, and you can choose between three engine types. The interior cargo space is easily adaptable and versatile, and the off-road capabilities make it appealing to many different business industries.

However, it is imperative to note that it is one of the most expensive transit vans available, and the additional optional amenities, although attractive, are somewhat costly.

• Motorcycles: Smallest van length = 4 motorcycles and the largest van length = 7 motorcycles.
• Mountain Bicycles: Smallest van length = 4 mountain bicycles, and the largest van length = 8 mountain bicycles.
• Dirt Bikes: Smallest van length = 3 dirt bikes, and the largest van length = 6 dirt bikes.

2021 Ford Transit Connect Van

If you don’t have many items that you need to transport regularly, like bikes, you might only need a compact transit van. The 2021 Ford Transit Connect is a favorite amongst those who want a fuel-efficient van with a decent cargo carrying capacity. This van can be fitted with storage carrying racks which are incredibly handy when you need to transport bikes.

The 2021 Ford Transit Connect is reasonably priced, and as such, it doesn’t come with as many comprehensive safety features as other transit vans on the market, but you will have standard safety features. Additionally, the cargo area is easily configurable, making it capable of transporting bulky and streamlined items.

Unlike its competitors, this vehicle does have a lower payload capacity, but the modern layout and controls and configurable interior make up for the load capacity it lacks.

• Motorcycles: Smallest van = 2 motorcycles and the largest van length = 2 motorcycles.
• Mountain Bicycles: Smallest van length = 2 mountain bicycles, and the largest van length = 3 mountain bicycles.
• Dirt Bikes: Smallest van length = 2 dirt bikes, and the largest van length = 2 dirt bikes.

2021 Nissan NV

Are you obsessed with Nissan's vans because of their reputable reputation? If so, you will likely want to opt for the 2021 Nissan NV for your bike transporting needs. This van has been a market staple since 2012 because of its moderately affordable price and vast cargo capacity that rivals even the Mercedes Benz Sprinter transit van.

Like the 2021 Ford Transit Connect, the 2021 Nissan NV can be outfitted with various storage racks and cabinets. This means that you could even fit a contraption to load and secure your bikes into when you are transporting them, making the journey much more manageable.

Additionally, this van has impressive acceleration capabilities, is comfortable to drive because of its efficient handling, and provides drivers with excellent visibility due to its tall windows. Perhaps the only downsides to this vehicle are the outdated technology and the fact that there is no all-wheel-drive capability.

• Motorcycles: This van can fit 4 motorcycles because it has the same length and width across all 2021 models.
• Mountain Bicycles: This van can fit 5 mountain bicycles because it has the same length and width across all 2021 models.
• Dirt Bikes: This van can fit 4 dirt bikes because it has the same length and width across all 2021 models.

2021 Ram ProMaster Van

Sometimes it is unpleasant to travel to your next adventure in your transit van with your equipment like your various bikes if you are using a vehicle with outdated or subpar features. The 2021 Ram ProMaster transit van is one of the best upmarket transit vehicles that comes with outstanding features like heated seating and superior driver safety aids.

This van is a full-size transit vehicle that can come equipped with a V-6 powertrain which makes driving long distances with a loaded car a breeze. Additionally, the cargo capacity is incredibly impressive, especially for the reasonable price these vehicles start at.

With this van, you will likely enjoy features like remote keyless entry, brake assist, an infotainment center, and proximity keyless entry. However, this van’s suspension is more rigid than most, so you will notice that it drives firmly over uneven terrain, which can prove uncomfortable.

• Motorcycles: Smallest van length = 4 motorcycles and the largest van length = 7 motorcycles.
• Mountain Bicycles: Smallest van length = 5 mountain bicycles, and the largest van length = 6 mountain bicycles.
• Dirt Bikes: Smallest van length = 4 dirt bikes, and the largest van length = 6 dirt bikes.

GMC Savana Van

Often you won’t need an overtly modern transit vehicle with modern features but rather a reliable, traditional workhorse van. Should this be the case, you might seriously want to have a closer look at the 2021 GMC Savana transit van. This van has immense strength and hauling capabilities due to its heavy-duty platform and towing feature.

The 2021 GMC Savana van has a truck-like ladder frame with an agreeable cargo capacity that allows you the versatility to store tons of equipment such as bikes. Additionally, the towing feature on this van is capable of towing up to 10000 pounds.

This van has a rugged but appealing frame and a powerful engine. The interior isn’t fancy, nor is it packed with infotainment features like its competitors. Moreover, there are not many driver-assist features, and the fuel efficiency leaves much to be desired. However, as we mentioned before, the 2021 GMC Savana van is incredibly reliable, and its low price makes it still a popular choice amongst businesses and adventurers.

• Motorcycles: Smallest van length = 4 motorcycles and the largest van length = 5 motorcycles.
• Mountain Bicycles: Smallest van length = 5 mountain bicycles, and the largest van length = 6 mountain bicycles.
• Dirt Bikes: Smallest van length = 4 dirt bikes, and the largest van length = 4 dirt bikes.

Ways to Fit More Bikes in a Transit Van

If you need to fit more bikes than your cargo area allows, there are primarily two other ways you can transport your bikes. You don’t need to disassemble numerous bike parts if you employ one of the below methods we will discuss. Additionally, if you need some of your cargo space for other equipment, you might want to consider one of the methods we have listed, as it may help you figure out how to transport the number of bikes you can take with you.

The Hitch Rack method

Before we look into this method, it’s important to note that not every transit van will come with a towing hitch. This means you might need to purchase additional parts and tools for the hitch rack method.

If you want to utilize this method to fit more bikes in your transit van, all you need to do is purchase a hitch rack compatible with your van. This rack will attach to the tow hitch receiver at the rear of the vehicle. Some hitch rack models will fit a bike by allowing it to hang on a rack in cradles, while other models will have a wheel tray that you load a bike onto.

Additionally, some hitch racks can be adjusted to carry multiple bikes at once. You should note that this method will work with bicycles, motorcycles, and dirt bikes, but you may be limited to only transporting an additional one or two. If you don’t mind fitting a hitch rack to your transit van, you can fit more bikes outside it while you store others inside the cargo area.

The Vacuum Mounting Method

Suppose you want a simple way to transport one or two more bikes; you may want to look into vacuum mounting apparatus. Vacuum mounting equipment quickly and effectively fits onto transit vans and other vehicle types through heavy-duty suction cups.

You will attach vacuum mounting equipment to either a glass surface or painted surface, and as long as it is installed properly, it will hold your bicycle in place. Often you will use vacuum bonding on the roof of your transit van as it is the safest place. This method is only suitable for bicycles as the suction apparatus usually cannot hold the weight of a motorcycle or dirt bike.

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