softail in cargo van
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
softail in cargo van
Hi
Has anyone got any experience fitting a heritage softail into a cargo van? The opening in the back of the van with both doors open is 48" high by 48" wide. Also can someone give me the dimensions with handle bars tops to ground level with stock bar? I plan on removing windshield and loosening the bars and turn them down somewhat if I have to. I plan on making a ramp out of 2x10's one beside the other held together by 2x4's and set it on the drop down of the bumper.
Here's the bike I hope will fit.
Has anyone got any experience fitting a heritage softail into a cargo van? The opening in the back of the van with both doors open is 48" high by 48" wide. Also can someone give me the dimensions with handle bars tops to ground level with stock bar? I plan on removing windshield and loosening the bars and turn them down somewhat if I have to. I plan on making a ramp out of 2x10's one beside the other held together by 2x4's and set it on the drop down of the bumper.
Here's the bike I hope will fit.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Man, that's gonna be one hell of a tight fit. Also, is the van long enough for the bike to get all the way in? And then how are you going to tie it down?
I think I'd find a friend with a truck or trailer, or rent a trailer. May save you some headaches.
I think I'd find a friend with a truck or trailer, or rent a trailer. May save you some headaches.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
The van is 9 feet from the back doors to behind the seats. I was going to put a length of 2x10 behind the seats , push the bike up against the 2x10, the van walls is the bare metal frame type with lots of tie down spots.I hate trailers, I had bad experience with a utility trailer. I've never been up close to a heritage but I think it would be compareable in size to your roadking so I'm hoping worst case senario will be remove the windshield and loosen off the bars and lower them.
Last edited by RidemyEVO; Oct 19, 2011 at 07:02 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,282
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From: southeast PA
Well, you measured the van. Now you need to measure the bike, so you would have some idea what you're dealing with ahead of time. I'm sure the person who took the pic can help with that.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,446
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Hi
Has anyone got any experience fitting a heritage softail into a cargo van? The opening in the back of the van with both doors open is 48" high by 48" wide. Also can someone give me the dimensions with handle bars tops to ground level with stock bar? I plan on removing windshield and loosening the bars and turn them down somewhat if I have to. I plan on making a ramp out of 2x10's one beside the other held together by 2x4's and set it on the drop down of the bumper.
Here's the bike I hope will fit.
Has anyone got any experience fitting a heritage softail into a cargo van? The opening in the back of the van with both doors open is 48" high by 48" wide. Also can someone give me the dimensions with handle bars tops to ground level with stock bar? I plan on removing windshield and loosening the bars and turn them down somewhat if I have to. I plan on making a ramp out of 2x10's one beside the other held together by 2x4's and set it on the drop down of the bumper.
Here's the bike I hope will fit.
Just take a tape and do some measuring before you commit yourself that's all , sit on the bike hold it upright and measure to the highest point on the bars then do the door frame simple and pull the mirrors even if it does trust me on that one .
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
My wideglide front to back is like 92" or something like that. It's just a p-hair shy of 8ft. A heritage is gonna be a little shorter due to the decreased rake...
Length-wise should fit but I'm with the trailer/pick-up idea. Getting a bike into a cargo van is not going to be fun at all.
To the OP, what bad experience id you have with a utility trailer? Was it due to your negligence?
I've used a 4x8 utility trailer many times to haul my WG around the southeast. It had 12" tires and every time I used it (wasn't mine) I blew at least one tire.
Length-wise should fit but I'm with the trailer/pick-up idea. Getting a bike into a cargo van is not going to be fun at all.
To the OP, what bad experience id you have with a utility trailer? Was it due to your negligence?
I've used a 4x8 utility trailer many times to haul my WG around the southeast. It had 12" tires and every time I used it (wasn't mine) I blew at least one tire.
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: Northern Ontario
Got it home fine, lowered the bars a bit and removed windshield, thanks guys,
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 16
From: USA
Ah, you did it already. Good deal. I was going to tell you that yes, it will fit. I had a 1988 Chevy G20 cargo van and my old Softail fit in there just fine. Had to lower the bars, of course to get it in.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 32
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From: Nashville, Tennessee
My buddies dad use to have an old Marlboro panel van that was red and had no windows. Just a 1992 Chevy van, and it worked perfectly for his RK. Put a hoop between the front seats and a small electric winch by the doghouse. He even had a custom license plate that read HOGPEN on it. Worked like a charm and when he had the bike out it gave him a great place for his sleeping bag and gear.
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