I wonder if you faced them in opposite directions, would they be easier to load and unload. Or maybe you need some e-scooters. ;-)) Now for those kayaks...
LOL! Great video. It's a slippery slope once you start down the road of "comfort & convenience" while camping. I think that's why the original pioneers built log cabins when "roughing" it; as it was just too hard to keep packing & unpacking. I digress. For years we've been backpackers but now as we hit our later sixties (I'm 67 we will not discuss my wife's age,), we started to think about RV'ing but since we have eldercare responsibilities, which makes it difficult to book campgrounds in advance, we decided to just get a four door Jeep which will allow us to sleep off the ground and secondly just pop into a dispersed camping site on the spur of the moment. My wife and I have been SHOCKED at how much room there is in the Jeep to store stuff we always wanted but couldn't fit in our backpacks. There is room for a Front Runner rear seat foot-well water tank and tons of gear storage under that seat. Room for two Solo Sleeping Mats rolled out with our bedding. We use the deck lid off our Tuffy Security Trunk to stack our cooler, food & cooking supply box and the pop-up bathroom cabana above our feet. Recovery gear goes in the Jeep's rear floor storage compartment. And once the rear tailgate is opened and the Goose Gear Table dropped we have an instant kitchen. We hang our day packs off the back of the front seats. Essentially we've turned the Jeep into a mobile backpack/tent for two. We really enjoy your videos as they have allowed us to brainstorm through watching your trials & tribulations a system that's dialed in for us vs. just doing the more traditional RV'ing that you and our friends are doing.
Neat vid guys and I would have bet you would have done everything possible to store those bikes inside. But after watching I completely understand. And that "Alaska" comment did not go un noticed. I'd love to get up there in 2023 just to join W& W AK - their event looked amazing! It'll be 5 years since our visit and not a day goes by that I don't think about or tell a story about Alaska!
We have a Class B, Pleasureway Ascent on a Sprinter that I also use as my daily drive. We carry our 2 ebikes (Rad Mini like your) on a 1Up Bike Rack and store the their batteries inside for now. I watched several EKKO videos and have been impressed with many of their features, especially the inside Garage Storage and Twin Beds! IMO, the Inside Garage Feature is one of the main FEATURES that I wouldn't want to give up for any reason! The added security that this provides is priceless, not to mention the cost saving of not having to buy a Bike Rack and Swing Arm, around $1200.00. So the question becomes how best to "Have your Cake and Eat it to). I envision a narrow Aluminum Loading Ramp to make it a one man job to load/unload the bikes. Secondly, a False Floor (5-10 inches high) to utilize the loss space underneath the Bikes, while also using Overhead Storage Racks above the Bikes. So, how do all this. Maybe loading the Bikes in opposite directions, so the Handle Bars fit better against each other and using Hold Down Straps to secure everything. While the OutDoor Kitchen maybe nice, its a matter of priority, Bikes vs Kitchen vs more Storage Space, I'll take the Bikes and more Storage Options every time. We have used a 8 inch Aluminum Tube underneath our RVs for years to store our Patio Rug and now our Gazebo in, which has worked out great. Finally, if there is still a need for more Storage, a small Storage Trunk is a great alternative solution. We will using this option to re-mount of Storage Tube to to gain better Ground Clarence.
Thought about a false floor too. If the handles don't hit as you're loading them due to the angle it would be the perfect solution! Thanks for sharing with us!
Hey Lynn, Owen and Maggie. Immediately I thought “bins.” Stackable for one thing. It would be heavy with the bike folded but a super large bin from HD or Lowes, fold the bike, you and Lynn could lift together. They’d be inside and safe from weather and if you can’t use 5em you don’t have to worry about them on the back. If you really like the bikes on the back, how about a shelving system so you can stack large things on bottom, smaller stuff (in bins to contain them) on top or knacks on top? Do the kayaks even fit in that area? Obie nets for ceiling for the lightest things, like extra paper goods or paddles, etc. After packing every few years because of Tony being in the service, I learned to pack things really well and love the challenge of making things work. Hope you’re out having fun. The outdoor kitchen seems to work for you! Martha & Tony
We did try folding the bikes and measuring them without bins and it seems by the time we put them in tubs it will take up the same amount of space. We don’t have the kayaks yet, but they are on Owen’s wish list but not a priority right now. Thank you for all the storage suggestions, we will work on incorporating some of them.
Thanks for solving a lot of issues we had questions on, of course, there are more questions to come. Our future (4th) beagle will, of course, take her half out of the middle of the bed on either side, lol. We are still seriously considering a park model to buy for our summers working in Colorado since we manage 8 sets of camp hosts for a total of 13 campgrounds. Only one of us can ride a bike after a motorcycle accident 40 years ago, but the bike isn't a full-time choice yet since we are still working 60-hour weeks, the bike can stay at a park model on the other end of our winter journey. The Ekko would essentially be our in-between journeys and also a quick place to park at the Host Campsite when we get sudden vacancies that frequently happen due to family, health, breakdown or other issues. We've learned that even a small campground without a host present becomes a free-for-all or sometimes best intentions & other times not. People tend to pay for their campsite when they think they are being monitored, LOL. However, something nimble like the Ekko works great until another camp host can be found to take the spot, not everyone wants to man the 4-foot toilet brush after a detailed lesson, lol. The question I haven't solved yet is how to take our jeep with us. The Ekko can tow 4,000# & a stripped down jeep with the backseat removed can weigh around 3,800#. It wouldn't be a rock crawler, but something heavily used in our winter and summer on our days off. Would you say that towing a vehicle with the Ekko is probably a bad idea or one for me to continue to explore? Since it wouldn't be a heavy big-tire rock crawler, then maybe a 3,700# hybrid FWD Maverick light duty pickup once they start building them again, maybe a better choice for the weight class. But naysayers are going to warn me about being bogged down while on our 3,000-mile journey from FL to Chicago to Colorado and back the same route every year. What say?
Wasn't a waste of time at all. Now you know for sure. You guys need to do what makes you happy. Glad you shared your walmart griddle. We just took a little camping trip (we have a tent). I bought one before we went. It worked great!! Thanks for the tip.
Another good video Lynn & Owen! We like our ebikes in the garage - BUT - we don’t have the outside kitchen. If we did, we would probably come to the same conclusion that you guys did. Wayne & Mary
I installed a 2" front receiver on the van, I already had one on the rear. I bought a duel motorcycle rack that I can use on the front or rear. It only takes a couple of minutes to load or unload the bikes and no lifting.
Thanks for taking the time to show EKKO garage options and challenges. I think it is the most prominent feature, but no one has produced a decent video about it. Until Van Trekking👍🏻
I have to agree with those stating e bikes in garage and locker in back! We traveled from Maine to Myrtle Beach last year and the back motion caused us to lose a part to our wheel. Thankfully local bike shop (Peedee Bike), fixed us up, but we now have a toad that we can put bikes in and keep safe and DRY. Loved your video, food for thought!!
What do you use for locking on the bikes? We drove to Canada from Oregon this summer in our Travato with two Rad Power bikes on a Hollywood rack. For me to feel secure I bought 3 heavy chains - Vulcan Security 6ft and two 3ft - for locks I got one (ABUS 37/55 MK KD Granit Alloy Steel Padlock Master Keyed) for the big chain and 2 Paclock “UCS-3A” Series locks for the two smaller chains. When riding I do take chains and locks in the side saddle bags. Also we cover the bikes with a real nice cover and to hold that down one of those strechy nets. ALSO look at the Paclock Aluminum Locking Hitch Pin Lock, this thing makes me feel very secure. We really are enjoying your new Ekko along with you. Also you really must do so much work on your videos the editing is amazing. Thanks for all the enjoyment we have been getting watching you for the last 3 years.
Good choice with bike rack. Keep it simple.. box system works well, easy to move them around and you can see what your looking for easily. Loving the ecko and your videos are making it easier for me to decide on my upgrade from a b van.
My ebike would fit in the garage of our Winnebago 25B Class C but I don't want to stress out the rotocast floor in it and possibly cause a crack so I carry it on a Hollywood RV Rider rack which makes it much easier to load and unload.
YT: 'RV Organization -setting the gear garage up for bikes' by The Fit RV 6mos ago had the same challenge. I have no doubt that time will tell WHICH works best for you. I was thinking that netting from the ceiling would hold stuff, also a drop down box shelf from the ceiling would hold quite a bit. Leaving the ends open you could slide items like your rug, or outdoor room in and out on it.
We have packed and unpacked our garage space SO many times. We keep shifting and moving and reorganizing. Each time it seems a wee bit better so I don't think it's time wasted. Let's call it trip anticipation!
I know you've since gotten different bikes, but if you really needed to put them in the garage, you could probably get a folding ramp to help load them in.
Hi guys ok so I think the bike rack is the way to go, you will always have your stuff packed and ready inside and if you decide to take bikes put the rack on also I feel its easy to use bikes from rack just an opinion great vid
Fit rv made racks on the ceiling where their chairs can slide in to utilize their vertical space. In my case, were I to make the choice, I would put the bikes in since they are the most expensive item. But you have traveled all over with them on the back and not had a problem so, as you said, it does indeed need to be an individual decision. I hope you find your choice works well for you. Happy tails.
I’d love that space for our bikes! I hate putting them on rack. I worry about them bouncing around etc. we actually put them inside if the trip is direct without stops. We have zero garage space. Old rig I guess before people had “toys”. Have you tried folding them? We folded ours day we recieved them but not since. It seemed like a good feature but not for us.
Get storage rack for the roof - you got a ladder. If you watch Careys and Pistol with their van they bought a storage bag for the roof that is waterproof. Personally I would get storage for the roof and put the bikes in the lockable storage area.
Curious as to your age. We're 69 and 70. We'd never be able to navigate the ladder with anything in our hands. The challenge of old age. But we're still spry enough to travel, so no complaints!
I guess the question we all have to answer is how much worse my trip will be if I don't have a particular toy? Could I find some less equipment intensive activity. While I love my toys (multiple canoes, grill/smokers, canoes, bikes), I have found that we are content cooking on the inside stove and hiking on longer trips. It keeps it simple and lets us enjoy the destination. I still get to use the toys at home.
I can guarantee the thermocell works great. Many times I’ve been sitting at camp swatting skidos while waiting for the Thermocell to heat up and then they are magically gone. I know I need a new pad when they start biting again.
Interesting quandary. We have a Travato with the same bike rack and a 1Up RakAttach swingaway unit because of our back doors. Quality stuff, but yes, it makes our 21' van a lot longer, and those expensive e-bikes are still outside. If I had the Ekko and e-bikes, I'd be tempted to use a cargo carrier on the back and keep the high value bikes secured inside the big storage locker. Have you seen the Yakima EXO GearLocker and swingbase system? Not cheap (about $1K together), but quality stuff. You probably wouldn't need a swingaway base as the locker is just 16" high, but I don't think they sell a fixed base unit. Anyway, just another option. As always, we enjoyed the video! And we're Very envious of all that space you have now!
Thanks for sharing. You have answered a question for all of us that may use the same type of bikes. BTW: you should remove the batteries from the bikes to lesson the weight of the bikes and protect the batteries. Also the ebike electronics are not waterproof so you should find a nice cover. Where’s the Ekko lic. Plate? Will you need to relocate it? Thanks again for sharing the journey.
I’m glad you found a way to take the ebikes. Glad you have some room left if you need to bring other things. Do you have room to put the kayaks anywhere just in case you want to bring them? Hope you enjoy the day today with it being Labor Day. Enjoy your week too!
We have not figured out the kayak situation yet, we are looking a Oru kayaks (which are foldable) and we would have room for those. Still a lot to figure out. Thanks for watching.
@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Oh ok that’s sounds like a great plan for kayaking . Never knew they had fold up ones. But those sound good to use and fit in your garage. Or where they might fit.
Good informative video! We have the same bikes and rack as you do. No option to fit bikes inside our small converted Sprinter van. I don't like carrying the bikes outside but we don't take them on every trip. We went to the Yukon this summer and didn't take them. Always tradeoffs. Have you considered the weight impact of the bikes out the back? The Ekko is on our lottery win list, but I'm a bit concerned about their cargo capacity, especially weight behind the rear axle. Have you ever weighed it when all loaded up?
I don’t think so, it would be very hard to load at dirt bike through the doors, there are D’rings but I don’t think I would trust them to hold up a dirt bake.
First, put tire sealant in your bike tubes. Second, store the bikes outside but lock them up with an Abus hardened square chain and Abus chain lock. Loop both bikes, rack, and hitch together and consider a bike alarm. Third, don't bring the batteries inside ever unless you are not going to be in the RV. The chances of having a battery fire from those is too great to be taking any chances. Treat the batteries like bombs, charge and store them away from inside the RV.
The Jury is still out on the Battery Security questions, but they do represent a Potential Safety Problem worth thinking about. We store our Ebike Batteries inside our Class B, rather than on the Bike Rack, to improve Weight Distribution and Security but are thinking about moving them to under the hood of our Sprinter for better safety!
Do they fold? Can you put 1 (through the center) in a plastic container and shove to the left? Same thing with the other and shove right? Will that allow room for some of your other stuff right in the middle? Otherwise, looks like an outside bike rack carry.
I've only just started watching your videos, but am wondering how often you use your bikes? Hubby and I are contemplating whether the Ekko would be a good fit for us, with the same bike quandary... Thanks, we enjoy your videos!
![Stromae, Pomme - “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Visualizer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1F3OGIFnW1k/mqdefault.jpg)
I wonder if you faced them in opposite directions, would they be easier to load and unload. Or maybe you need some e-scooters. ;-)) Now for those kayaks...
Good job on getting all figured out
Just when I thought you were going to finally have a smooth, nice looking rear end, you’re going back to your old ways.
Not yet. Hold your horses. Haven't left the driveway with the rack on yet. 😂
The bike rack looks like the best option........Happy Trails🦮
LOL! Great video. It's a slippery slope once you start down the road of "comfort & convenience" while camping. I think that's why the original pioneers built log cabins when "roughing" it; as it was just too hard to keep packing & unpacking. I digress. For years we've been backpackers but now as we hit our later sixties (I'm 67 we will not discuss my wife's age,), we started to think about RV'ing but since we have eldercare responsibilities, which makes it difficult to book campgrounds in advance, we decided to just get a four door Jeep which will allow us to sleep off the ground and secondly just pop into a dispersed camping site on the spur of the moment. My wife and I have been SHOCKED at how much room there is in the Jeep to store stuff we always wanted but couldn't fit in our backpacks. There is room for a Front Runner rear seat foot-well water tank and tons of gear storage under that seat. Room for two Solo Sleeping Mats rolled out with our bedding. We use the deck lid off our Tuffy Security Trunk to stack our cooler, food & cooking supply box and the pop-up bathroom cabana above our feet. Recovery gear goes in the Jeep's rear floor storage compartment. And once the rear tailgate is opened and the Goose Gear Table dropped we have an instant kitchen. We hang our day packs off the back of the front seats. Essentially we've turned the Jeep into a mobile backpack/tent for two. We really enjoy your videos as they have allowed us to brainstorm through watching your trials & tribulations a system that's dialed in for us vs. just doing the more traditional RV'ing that you and our friends are doing.
Sounds like you have a great setup. We appreciate you sharing that with us.
You have me rethinking my decision on a RV. I really like this EKKO.Hi Maggie!
Neat vid guys and I would have bet you would have done everything possible to store those bikes inside. But after watching I completely understand. And that "Alaska" comment did not go un noticed. I'd love to get up there in 2023 just to join W& W AK - their event looked amazing! It'll be 5 years since our visit and not a day goes by that I don't think about or tell a story about Alaska!
Consider keeping the bikes safe inside and placing a cargo box on the hitch for your other items. Should be about the same overall length.
Thanks for the suggestion. We will consider that.
We have a Class B, Pleasureway Ascent on a Sprinter that I also use as my daily drive. We carry our 2 ebikes (Rad Mini like your) on a 1Up Bike Rack and store the their batteries inside for now.
I watched several EKKO videos and have been impressed with many of their features, especially the inside Garage Storage and Twin Beds!
IMO, the Inside Garage Feature is one of the main FEATURES that I wouldn't want to give up for any reason! The added security that this provides is priceless, not to mention the cost saving of not having to buy a Bike Rack and Swing Arm, around $1200.00. So the question becomes how best to "Have your Cake and Eat it to). I envision a narrow Aluminum Loading Ramp to make it a one man job to load/unload the bikes. Secondly, a False Floor (5-10 inches high) to utilize the loss space underneath the Bikes, while also using Overhead Storage Racks above the Bikes.
So, how do all this. Maybe loading the Bikes in opposite directions, so the Handle Bars fit better against each other and using Hold Down Straps to secure everything. While the OutDoor Kitchen maybe nice, its a matter of priority, Bikes vs Kitchen vs more Storage Space, I'll take the Bikes and more Storage Options every time. We have used a 8 inch Aluminum Tube underneath our RVs for years to store our Patio Rug and now our Gazebo in, which has worked out great. Finally, if there is still a need for more Storage, a small Storage Trunk is a great alternative solution. We will using this option to re-mount of Storage Tube to to gain better Ground Clarence.
Thought about a false floor too. If the handles don't hit as you're loading them due to the angle it would be the perfect solution! Thanks for sharing with us!
Hey Lynn, Owen and Maggie. Immediately I thought “bins.” Stackable for one thing. It would be heavy with the bike folded but a super large bin from HD or Lowes, fold the bike, you and Lynn could lift together. They’d be inside and safe from weather and if you can’t use 5em you don’t have to worry about them on the back.
If you really like the bikes on the back, how about a shelving system so you can stack large things on bottom, smaller stuff (in bins to contain them) on top or knacks on top? Do the kayaks even fit in that area?
Obie nets for ceiling for the lightest things, like extra paper goods or paddles, etc.
After packing every few years because of Tony being in the service, I learned to pack things really well and love the challenge of making things work.
Hope you’re out having fun.
The outdoor kitchen seems to work for you!
Martha & Tony
We did try folding the bikes and measuring them without bins and it seems by the time we put them in tubs it will take up the same amount of space. We don’t have the kayaks yet, but they are on Owen’s wish list but not a priority right now. Thank you for all the storage suggestions, we will work on incorporating some of them.
@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle it’ll be fun to watch you adjust and adapt this rig to what you need. Safe travels.
Thanks for solving a lot of issues we had questions on, of course, there are more questions to come. Our future (4th) beagle will, of course, take her half out of the middle of the bed on either side, lol. We are still seriously considering a park model to buy for our summers working in Colorado since we manage 8 sets of camp hosts for a total of 13 campgrounds. Only one of us can ride a bike after a motorcycle accident 40 years ago, but the bike isn't a full-time choice yet since we are still working 60-hour weeks, the bike can stay at a park model on the other end of our winter journey. The Ekko would essentially be our in-between journeys and also a quick place to park at the Host Campsite when we get sudden vacancies that frequently happen due to family, health, breakdown or other issues. We've learned that even a small campground without a host present becomes a free-for-all or sometimes best intentions & other times not. People tend to pay for their campsite when they think they are being monitored, LOL. However, something nimble like the Ekko works great until another camp host can be found to take the spot, not everyone wants to man the 4-foot toilet brush after a detailed lesson, lol. The question I haven't solved yet is how to take our jeep with us. The Ekko can tow 4,000# & a stripped down jeep with the backseat removed can weigh around 3,800#. It wouldn't be a rock crawler, but something heavily used in our winter and summer on our days off. Would you say that towing a vehicle with the Ekko is probably a bad idea or one for me to continue to explore? Since it wouldn't be a heavy big-tire rock crawler, then maybe a 3,700# hybrid FWD Maverick light duty pickup once they start building them again, maybe a better choice for the weight class. But naysayers are going to warn me about being bogged down while on our 3,000-mile journey from FL to Chicago to Colorado and back the same route every year. What say?
Great thought process to come to your final conclusion. It was work, but well worth it.
Wasn't a waste of time at all. Now you know for sure. You guys need to do what makes you happy. Glad you shared your walmart griddle. We just took a little camping trip (we have a tent). I bought one before we went. It worked great!! Thanks for the tip.
You are so welcome. We thought the griddle worked great.
Another good video Lynn & Owen! We like our ebikes in the garage - BUT - we don’t have the outside kitchen. If we did, we would probably come to the same conclusion that you guys did. Wayne & Mary
I installed a 2" front receiver on the van, I already had one on the rear.
I bought a duel motorcycle rack that I can use on the front or rear. It only takes a couple of minutes to load or unload the bikes and no lifting.
Thanks for taking the time to show EKKO garage options and challenges. I think it is the most prominent feature, but no one has produced a decent video about it. Until Van Trekking👍🏻
Watch out for the Bike Burglars. I've seen where they get stolen off the back. Great video. Thanks.
Good Job. This is the not so fun but necessary part of adventure. Happy tails and safe travels.
very informative!! Thank you!!
You are welcome, thanks for watching.
I have to agree with those stating e bikes in garage and locker in back! We traveled from Maine to Myrtle Beach last year and the back motion caused us to lose a part to our wheel. Thankfully local bike shop (Peedee Bike), fixed us up, but we now have a toad that we can put bikes in and keep safe and DRY. Loved your video, food for thought!!
What do you use for locking on the bikes? We drove to Canada from Oregon this summer in our Travato with two Rad Power bikes on a Hollywood rack. For me to feel secure I bought 3 heavy chains - Vulcan Security 6ft and two 3ft - for locks I got one (ABUS 37/55 MK KD Granit Alloy Steel Padlock Master Keyed) for the big chain and 2 Paclock “UCS-3A” Series locks for the two smaller chains. When riding I do take chains and locks in the side saddle bags. Also we cover the bikes with a real nice cover and to hold that down one of those strechy nets. ALSO look at the Paclock Aluminum Locking Hitch Pin Lock, this thing makes me feel very secure. We really are enjoying your new Ekko along with you. Also you really must do so much work on your videos the editing is amazing. Thanks for all the enjoyment we have been getting watching you for the last 3 years.
Maybe a false floor is too much trouble, but you could put a lot of that rarely used stuff under the bikes.
Great idea! Rug, room, leveling blocks, electric cords, sewer stuff... build vertical shelves at one end and you just might get it all in!
I had the same idea!
Good choice with bike rack. Keep it simple.. box system works well, easy to move them around and you can see what your looking for easily. Loving the ecko and your videos are making it easier for me to decide on my upgrade from a b van.
Glad you are with us. We totally agree… simple is the best way to go.
Those hanging leveling blocks are going to swing back and forth and bang up the RV wall.
My ebike would fit in the garage of our Winnebago 25B Class C but I don't want to stress out the rotocast floor in it and possibly cause a crack so I carry it on a Hollywood RV Rider rack which makes it much easier to load and unload.
YT: 'RV Organization -setting the gear garage up for bikes' by The Fit RV 6mos ago had the same challenge. I have no doubt that time will tell WHICH works best for you. I was thinking that netting from the ceiling would hold stuff, also a drop down box shelf
from the ceiling would hold quite a bit. Leaving the ends open you could slide items like your rug, or outdoor room in and out on it.
How about facing opposite directions so the handlebars don’t hit each other?
Safe Travels. If you can take the battery off the bikes, I guess that helps to keep them from getting stolen.
We have packed and unpacked our garage space SO many times. We keep shifting and moving and reorganizing. Each time it seems a wee bit better so I don't think it's time wasted. Let's call it trip anticipation!
bS & BK & BC As always a great video !!
I know you've since gotten different bikes, but if you really needed to put them in the garage, you could probably get a folding ramp to help load them in.
One of my favorite sayings is “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” When you really want to take something with you, it will be done. :)
Hi guys ok so I think the bike rack is the way to go, you will always have your stuff packed and ready inside and if you decide to take bikes put the rack on also I feel its easy to use bikes from rack just an opinion great vid
Fit rv made racks on the ceiling where their chairs can slide in to utilize their vertical space. In my case, were I to make the choice, I would put the bikes in since they are the most expensive item. But you have traveled all over with them on the back and not had a problem so, as you said, it does indeed need to be an individual decision. I hope you find your choice works well for you. Happy tails.
I’d love that space for our bikes! I hate putting them on rack. I worry about them bouncing around etc. we actually put them inside if the trip is direct without stops. We have zero garage space. Old rig I guess before people had “toys”. Have you tried folding them? We folded ours day we recieved them but not since. It seemed like a good feature but not for us.
Get storage rack for the roof - you got a ladder. If you watch Careys and Pistol with their van they bought a storage bag for the roof that is waterproof. Personally I would get storage for the roof and put the bikes in the lockable storage area.
Curious as to your age. We're 69 and 70. We'd never be able to navigate the ladder with anything in our hands. The challenge of old age. But we're still spry enough to travel, so no complaints!
I guess the question we all have to answer is how much worse my trip will be if I don't have a particular toy? Could I find some less equipment intensive activity. While I love my toys (multiple canoes, grill/smokers, canoes, bikes), I have found that we are content cooking on the inside stove and hiking on longer trips. It keeps it simple and lets us enjoy the destination. I still get to use the toys at home.
What a great lesson for all of us. Thank you!
I can guarantee the thermocell works great. Many times I’ve been sitting at camp swatting skidos while waiting for the Thermocell to heat up and then they are magically gone. I know I need a new pad when they start biting again.
Interesting quandary. We have a Travato with the same bike rack and a 1Up RakAttach swingaway unit because of our back doors. Quality stuff, but yes, it makes our 21' van a lot longer, and those expensive e-bikes are still outside. If I had the Ekko and e-bikes, I'd be tempted to use a cargo carrier on the back and keep the high value bikes secured inside the big storage locker. Have you seen the Yakima EXO GearLocker and swingbase system? Not cheap (about $1K together), but quality stuff. You probably wouldn't need a swingaway base as the locker is just 16" high, but I don't think they sell a fixed base unit. Anyway, just another option. As always, we enjoyed the video! And we're Very envious of all that space you have now!
Thanks for sharing. You have answered a question for all of us that may use the same type of bikes. BTW: you should remove the batteries from the bikes to lesson the weight of the bikes and protect the batteries. Also the ebike electronics are not waterproof so you should find a nice cover. Where’s the Ekko lic. Plate? Will you need to relocate it? Thanks again for sharing the journey.
I’m glad you found a way to take the ebikes. Glad you have some room left if you need to bring other things. Do you have room to put the kayaks anywhere just in case you want to bring them? Hope you enjoy the day today with it being Labor Day. Enjoy your week too!
We have not figured out the kayak situation yet, we are looking a Oru kayaks (which are foldable) and we would have room for those. Still a lot to figure out. Thanks for watching.
@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Oh ok that’s sounds like a great plan for kayaking . Never knew they had fold up ones. But those sound good to use and fit in your garage. Or where they might fit.
Good informative video! We have the same bikes and rack as you do. No option to fit bikes inside our small converted Sprinter van. I don't like carrying the bikes outside but we don't take them on every trip. We went to the Yukon this summer and didn't take them. Always tradeoffs.
Have you considered the weight impact of the bikes out the back? The Ekko is on our lottery win list, but I'm a bit concerned about their cargo capacity, especially weight behind the rear axle. Have you ever weighed it when all loaded up?
We haven’t really had the cargo area loaded yet, but as soon as we figure things out we will weight it. Thanks for the reminder.
Hi guys,
When yiu had that rack on your revel, did the back doors still open all the way?
Question: Is it possible to carry an adult dirt bike in this garage? If possible, how would this garage hold this dirt bike?
I don’t think so, it would be very hard to load at dirt bike through the doors, there are D’rings but I don’t think I would trust them to hold up a dirt bake.
What is the bike rack you have? I'm not thrilled with ours, and yours did look easier to tilt.
First, put tire sealant in your bike tubes.
Second, store the bikes outside but lock them up with an Abus hardened square chain and Abus chain lock. Loop both bikes, rack, and hitch together and consider a bike alarm.
Third, don't bring the batteries inside ever unless you are not going to be in the RV. The chances of having a battery fire from those is too great to be taking any chances. Treat the batteries like bombs, charge and store them away from inside the RV.
Thank you for all the great advice.
The Jury is still out on the Battery Security questions, but they do represent a Potential Safety Problem worth thinking about. We store our Ebike Batteries inside our Class B, rather than on the Bike Rack, to improve Weight Distribution and Security but are thinking about moving them to under the hood of our Sprinter for better safety!
What happened to the cargo trailer?
Ya don’t know if you don’t try different ways of packing. Lots of options with your EKKO
I am still trying to get someone to give the actual weight of an EKKO with gear and water. It just seems like there might not be much OCCC left.
We will weigh at scales one of these days and list. But like you I'm betting there's not much room.
@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle I’ll be looking forward to it .
Do they fold? Can you put 1 (through the center) in a plastic container and shove to the left? Same thing with the other and shove right? Will that allow room for some of your other stuff right in the middle? Otherwise, looks like an outside bike rack carry.
He said he did not want to have to lift the entire bike, so folding was out.
Trying putting one bike from each side
Get you a bike rack and it will save you a lot of time and you won't have to break the bikes down to take them where you want to go
We already have a bike rack so it does sound like a no brained, but we were trying to keep our length down.
Use your bike rack?
That is what we will probably do.
I've only just started watching your videos, but am wondering how often you use your bikes? Hubby and I are contemplating whether the Ekko would be a good fit for us, with the same bike quandary... Thanks, we enjoy your videos!
Racks
Put ‘em on the back.
It does seem a lot of Ekko owners put there bikes on the back. We are still trying to figure it out.
I would keep them inside the garage. It keeps the temptation from opportunistic theives