Bike in back of hatchback for moving 2000 miles?

[Mad Cow Disease]

I'm moving towing my Subaru hatchback on a car carrier behind a 16' moving truck. I do have a bike rack for the hatch but I'll probably be driving through some rainy weather and getting the bicycle all wet and muddy doesn't appeal to me. Could I lay down the rear seats, take off the front wheel,and just lay the bike down in the trunk cushioned with a blanket or two? The car has got enough clearance.

Putting the bicycle in the truck does not seem like a good idea unless I pack it in a box, and for that I would have to probably buy the box, hire the LBS to pack it. All which is about 70 miles round trip and figure about $50-70 not including gas and time back and forth. I'm busy enough packing as is.

Any negatives to this approach I've neglected to consider, or things I can do to protect the bike?

[hfc]

I don't see a problem. Ive carried bikes around in backs of cars (including a Suby) all the time.

[nova_rider]

No negatives. Preferred over external rack anytime. Just make sure the bike isn't rubbing up against anything. Cover the greasy drivetrain with a old sheet, towel, or large garbage bag.

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[Lombard]

What negatives could there possibly be in doing this? I transport my bike in a smaller hatchback than this all the time. Remove front wheel and put it in a safe place. Just be sure to place the bike drivetrain side up so derailleur doesn't get bent. You may want to cover it with a tarp just to keep it out of sight-out of mind to would-be thieves.

[duriel]

rear derailier up!

[Marc]

rear derailier up!

Or just use the rack. It is a bicycle, not a newspaper.

[n2deep]

No negatives. Preferred over external rack anytime. Just make sure the bike isn't rubbing up against anything. Cover the greasy drivetrain with a old sheet, towel, or large garbage bag.

I use the 55 gal 3m garbage bags to cover the back end of the bike to the crankset and place the derailuer on top,, no worries..

[Steve B.]

You are aware of course, that as a full time AWD vehicle a Subaru cannot be towed on 2 wheels, Needs a flatbed trailer.

[Jay Strongbow]

Could I lay down the rear seats, take off the front wheel,and just lay the bike down in the trunk cushioned with a blanket or two? The car has got enough clearance.

You own the car and bike. What are you asking us that wouldn't be made perfectly clear by taking 30 seconds to try it?

[Drone 5200]

Just make sure the bike is wearing it's seatbelt and everything should be fine.


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[jason124]

Just make sure the bike is wearing it's seatbelt and everything should be fine.

Come on now... its a bike. It should be wearing a helmet!

[factory feel]

change out the tubes when you arrive at your destination and all should be fine.

[No Time Toulouse]

You are aware of course, that as a full time AWD vehicle a Subaru cannot be towed on 2 wheels, Needs a flatbed trailer.

Yes, very important. You will destroy your transmission (or more likely the viscous couplings to the rear wheels) if you try to pull it with a 2 wheel dolly.

[blackfrancois]

What negatives could there possibly be in doing this?

just this:

cover it with a tarp ... out of sight-out of ... thieves.

[Lombard]

You are aware of course, that as a full time AWD vehicle a Subaru cannot be towed on 2 wheels, Needs a flatbed trailer.

This is true. An full time AWD vehicle (all Subarus) must be towed on a flatbed. Towing on two wheels will wreck the transfer case and viscous coupler.

[redondoaveb]

If its a carbon bike just make sure it doesn't get too hot in the car. Everyone knows that carbon bikes are known to assplode in hot cars.

[jason124]

This is true. An full time AWD vehicle (all Subarus) must be towed on a flatbed. Towing on two wheels will wreck the transfer case and viscous coupler.

I know this is off-topic, can you remove the driveshaft from front to rear and tow on a dolly?

If you don't want to tow it with a flat bed, you can tow it all 4 on the ground so that all wheels are spinning at the same rate.

[nova_rider]

I know this is off-topic, can you remove the driveshaft from front to rear and tow on a dolly?

If you don't want to tow it with a flat bed, you can tow it all 4 on the ground so that all wheels are spinning at the same rate.

Of course you can. But with today's awd system, it'll likely be much more involved in decoupling the drivetrain. Towing on all four can introduce tracking issues if vehicle's frontend is out of alignment, but I suspect getting this verified won't be high on one's moving to do list.

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[PJay]

two wheel dolly is cheaper but flatbed is really not that much more difficult, and in my opinion is easier to maneuver.

[dir-t]

I remember years ago when someone posted a thread asking where he could find a suitable cardboard box to use to ship a fork for warranty work.

Next to that thread, this "can I put my bike in my car" thread is, well, I guess I shouldn't say.

[duriel]

I didn't see that one, but between this one and the 'changing tubes' one, it is very exciting reading!~

[4slomo]

Decrease the air pressure in your tires to keep them from exploding in a hot car in the summer heat (voice of experience).

[Lombard]

Decrease the air pressure in your tires to keep them from exploding in a hot car in the summer heat (voice of experience).

This.

[Steve B.]

This is as note a "ghost post".

The OP posted, possibly saw the reply's, got what info. he/she needed and is gone with no follow up, thank you, etc..

Bye !.

[Srode]

change out the tubes when you arrive at your destination and all should be fine.

No need to change the tube, just the air in them