Campervan bike storage starts at the doorway, not beneath the bed. A bicycle may fit inside the proposed garage once positioned, yet be awkward to get through the opening or impossible to load without removing every other bag.
Use the actual bicycle and normal travelling equipment to test the route. Include any changes you are genuinely willing to make at every stop, such as removing a wheel using the bicycle manufacturer’s procedure.
Measure the bicycle in its travelling form
Record the space used by the handlebars, pedals, saddle and wheels. Include bags or accessories that will remain fitted. If a wheel comes off, give that wheel a protected place of its own and check the bicycle maker’s handling and storage instructions.
For two bicycles, test both together. Handlebar positions and pedal movement can make the combined shape different from twice the width of one bike. Keep a practical way to identify and access the parts removed from each.
Test the doorway and the turn inside
Mark the rear opening at its finished dimensions, allowing for trim, door fittings and the bed structure. Walk the bike through the intended movement slowly. Check where your hands go, where the pedals pass and whether you need room outside to turn the frame.
Think about an ordinary campsite pitch. You may have less space behind the van than in the workshop. A loading arrangement that needs a long clear run deserves testing before the furniture is fixed.
- Check the narrowest point of the opening.
- Allow space to grip and guide the bicycle.
- Protect vulnerable bicycle parts as its maker recommends.
- Keep the loading route separate from loose travel bags.
Balance garage height against bed comfort
A higher bed can accommodate a taller load, but it reduces the room above the mattress and changes the climb into bed. Mock up the complete sleeping height with the intended mattress included. Sit up and try the route out before raising the platform further.
Compare a different bicycle packing position with a different bed height. Do not remove or alter bed supports simply to clear a handlebar. Have any proposed structural change assessed by the furniture designer.
Plan access after the bikes are loaded
List the items needed at every stop: chairs, footwear, an extra layer and the equipment used to set up camp. Check whether each can be reached with the bicycles still in place. Keep essential inspection and isolation points accessible too.
Separate muddy equipment from bedding and clean clothes. Use removable protection where it helps cleaning, and dry wet gear appropriately before longer storage. An enclosed garage should not become a place where moisture is hidden between tightly packed bags.
Specify the complete travel arrangement
Have the bicycle, loose parts and storage furniture appropriately restrained for travel. Confirm the intended fixing arrangement and loading with the relevant suppliers or installer; a bike wedged between boxes is not a specified restraint system.
Include bicycles, accessories and storage hardware in the whole vehicle weight plan. Check the loaded van and its applicable limits rather than assuming an empty garage means spare carrying capacity.
See the garage storage guide and fixed bed access guide for the surrounding layout. Send NEVAN your bicycle and luggage dimensions when discussing the kit, and confirm whether a suitable storage arrangement is available for your configuration.
Frequently asked questions
What should I measure before building storage for a bike?
Record length, handlebar width and height in the exact transport position. Walk it through the real doorway and measure the turning space inside.
Can I reach other gear with the bike loaded?
Try the layout with the bike secured and boxes packed. Put daily equipment where it can come out without moving the bike.
