Suitable SUV to transport 2 Radexpand 5's

[sks]

Both my wife & I each bought an Expand5. We also happen to be considering a new mid-sized SUV, and would like any feedback on which ones work well, or don't work well to transport these folded inside instead of a hitch-mounted rack.  I have seen mention of using a 70 gal tote bin, which look bigger than expected. I'm not sure many of the SUVs will fit two of these inside, even with the rear seats down.   Any recommendations?  Thanks!


UPDATE:  We ultimately bought a new Hyundai Santa Fe and couldn't be happier how it can fit both bikes side by side with a lot of cargo room left.  The vertical and horizontal clearance exceeds most of the other mid sized SUVs we've looked at.  We load our bikes onto shallow plastic bins instead of a tote; they slide in easily and take up less room.  These are sold at Home Depot or Lowes as concrete mixing bins, and we stack two together for each bike to manage the weight.

[Ishy]

🤔. The totes are a good base for overall size except they seem to be a bit too long sometimes.   The tricky bit is the height.    I have a Toyota Corolla 2005.  And can fit one in the trunk and backseat.    I'd suggest getting a new moving blanket and experimenting with lifting them and arranging them.  If you can use the blanket to pull them in as you get one then the next into the hatch then by arranging them on the blanket in different configurations will give. You the minimum dimensions you would need to have.

Height, width and length. Good Luck!

[RadBob]

Hi
We have two Expand 5 bikes.
We have a 2021 Chevy Equinox
Fold down the seats and we take off the front wheel of each bike.
Fold the bike and place it in a 50 gallon Rubbermaid bin.
The bin makes it easy to pickup with a person on each end.
You can also remove the batteries to lighten the bin too.

Good luck!😁

[John Rose]

I own a RadMini ST2, and I just pulled the trigger on a RadExpand 5 today. When it arrives I can try fitting both of them into a Honda CRV.

Come to think of it, I might even be able to get them into the back seat of our 2008 Honda Fit. It has those rear "Magic Seats" that flip up, giving you floor-to-roof space. They're popular with owners of large dogs. Alternatively, the backs also flip down, as with most SUVs and hatchbacks.
The back seat may be easier because it's not as high to lift the bikes.


Image shows left seat up, right seat down.

[John Rose]

I've not gotten around to trying to get both in the Fit, but a recent experience revealed that it is much easier to get a RadExpand 5 plus a RadMini ST2 into the back of a CRV (with rear seat backs down) by not folding the frames. Even if you strap it to keep it folded, it's still cumbersome to lift.
Just fold the handlebars down, lift the front wheel up and in, then lift the rear end in. Have something like a yoga mat or even a flattened cardboard box or two to protect sides of the car interior.

Also, we've just bought a second CRV. The 2018 model has a cover for the spare tire compartment that can be positioned for either a flat floor, or at lower (2"?) level for more vertical room.

[edit: We don't bother to lower the seat posts, still lots of clearance.]

[radex5owner]

Hi John, So I've been wanting to see how my radexpand 5 could fit into my car (2018 Leaf).  I'm assuming with the seats down, the handle bars are folded down,  you are putting your bike on their side, right or rolling it in upright? Sound like a two person job to me?  I wonder if a ramp might help?

[tommead]

I just got mine into the back of my Mazda-3 hatchback. Have pics. I used my thick black rubber "mat" pulled out 1/2 way to protect the bumper. Good idea. Yes, it's heavy, and I'm 77 with a bit of leftover polio, but I got it in there. Main problem is the 6" "drop" from bumper to inside, so it might be bitchy to get OUT of the car; I'll soon know. Took seat-post out and battery out first. It won't stand UPRIGHT. So, I laid it on its side, but which side? I chose to stress the folded-up front end, rather than chain, derailleur, etc. on the right side of bike. All tips appreciated.  Tom in New Hampshire, wondering now about a CX-50 and do I wait for the hybrid or avoid that like yet another plague.

[John Rose]

[edit - Oh. I see that this post duplicates some info I already gave. Update: We sold the Fit, and I never got around to seeing if I could get both bikes into it.]

... I'm assuming with the seats down, the handle bars are folded down,  you are putting your bike on their side, right or rolling it in upright? Sound like a two person job to me?  I wonder if a ramp might help?

It was a two-person job getting them into the CRV. On this trip, I put them in transversely, with frame folded and handlebars folded down.
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Notice that there is still lots of room in the folded-down back seat.

The last time we took them anywhere though, I found that we did not have to fold the frame, just the handlebars. I put them in side-by-side facing forward and leaning to the left. I should've had a big piece of cardboard between them, and a second piece on the side that was leaning against the passenger door.

Recently though, I found two Rubbermaid Roughneck 189 litre/50 gallon bins at Canadian Tire for a decent price. It'll be easier to lift.

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This guy shows how he loads his 65 lb folding bike with a bin and a ramp, but I'm pretty sure one could do it without a ramp:

We have not tried loading ours with a bin yet.