How to Choose a Motorcycle Transport Van: A Comprehensive Guide from Essentials to Loading, Transporting, and Vehicle Selection

What is a motorcycle "Transporter" (Trampo)?

Source: https://pixabay.com/ja/photos/AF-784392/

A vehicle used to transport motorcycles is called a "transporter" (or "trampo" for short), derived from the English word "transport" (something that transports).

A trampo is essential for transporting competition motorcycles (such as racers and motocross bikes) that do not have license plates and cannot be ridden on public roads to race venues.

Situations where a trampo is used

Various types of vehicles are used as trampos, such as van-type passenger cars like the Hiace, minivans like the Step WGN, and kei-car one-box vans like the Every.

The most common use for a trampo is to transport competition vehicles to race venues, but some people also use them to bring their motorcycles along on trips so they can ride at their destination.

Even with a moped, if you load it onto a trampo, you can travel long distances using expressways and even sleep in the car, expanding your range of activity.

Things to consider and how to choose a trampo for your motorcycle

Source: https://pixabay.com/ja/photos/B9-2707699/

While various types of passenger cars are chosen as motorcycle trampos, it is recommended to consider the following points when selecting one:

Vehicle type
Loading capacity and space
Ease of use
Budget

We will explain each point in detail, so please use this as a reference when choosing your trampo.

1. Vehicle type

The basic performance of the trampo vehicle, such as its power and fuel efficiency, is also an important factor to consider based on your usage.

For example, if you need to transport a motorcycle over many steep hills, a low-powered trampo would be difficult and stressful.

If you plan to sleep in the car, you'll need a vehicle where the seats can recline even with the motorcycle loaded, otherwise you'll have to sleep upright. Therefore, choosing a vehicle type that suits your usage is necessary.

2. Loading capacity and space

You need to choose a trampo vehicle type that matches the size and type of motorcycle you will be loading. For example, if you are transporting a large motorcycle, a trampo with limited loading space may not be able to accommodate it.

While a large motorcycle can be loaded into a minivan with some clever arrangement of the loading space, if the total height of the motorcycle exceeds the space from the floor to the ceiling of the loading area, it cannot be loaded.

Furthermore, a wider loading space allows you to sleep in the car with the motorcycle loaded, or carry toolboxes and other equipment, enabling more relaxed transportation.

3. Ease of use

The ease of use of the passenger car serving as the trampo, such as the presence of sliding doors or hooks for securing belts in storage spaces, is also a point to check when choosing.

If you're carrying many items besides the motorcycle, such as toolboxes and motorcycle gear, they also need to be secured to prevent them from moving around during transit. Hooks would allow them to be secured.

The size of the trampo and its ease of driving are also important factors when choosing a trampo. If you're not comfortable driving large vehicles, choosing a long trampo like a Hiace will make driving difficult.

4. Budget

The budget required for purchase varies depending on the type of trampo, so if you have a set budget, you need to choose a trampo within that range.

When purchasing a trampo vehicle, the approximate budget is as follows:

Transporter Type	New Car On-the-Road Price	Used Car Market Price Range
Van (Hiace, etc.)	Approx. ¥3.2 million - ¥4.6 million	Approx. ¥700,000 - ¥4.5 million
Light One-Box Van (Every, etc.)	Approx. ¥1.3 million - ¥1.9 million	Approx. ¥120,000 - ¥2.2 million
Minivan (Step WGN, etc.)	Approx. ¥3.3 million - ¥4.5 million	Approx. ¥250,000 - ¥3.2 million
Light Truck (Sambar, etc.)	Approx. ¥1.3 million - ¥1.6 million	Approx. ¥100,000 - ¥1.3 million
Pickup Truck (Hilux, etc.)	Approx. ¥4.3 million - ¥5.5 million	Approx. ¥250,000 - ¥4.8 million

First, choose a trampo that is large enough to accommodate the motorcycle you will be loading. Then, based on your budget and circumstances, select a vehicle type and decide whether to buy new or used.

What items and equipment are necessary for a trampo?

Source: https://pixabay.com/ja/photos/A1-8191149/

We will introduce the essential and convenient items and equipment needed for a trampo when loading and transporting a motorcycle.

In particular, a ladder ramp and tie-down straps are indispensable, as you cannot load or secure a motorcycle without them.

Ladder ramp

A ladder ramp is an item that serves as a slope by being placed between the cargo area opening and the ground when loading a motorcycle into a trampo.

Except for ultra-lightweight motorcycles, a ladder ramp is essential for loading a motorcycle and will always be needed when using a trampo.

Ladder ramps have a "load capacity" that indicates how much weight they can withstand, so choose a ladder ramp appropriate for the motorcycle you will be loading.

■Folding aluminum ladder ramp

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/cj-tool506

Product Details

A folding ladder ramp allows you to effectively utilize the limited space in the cargo compartment.

Choosing a lightweight aluminum one will be beneficial for those who are not strong or who frequently load and unload motorcycles.

Size: (Total length) 1820 × (Width) 295 × (Height) 93: mm
Folded size: (Total length) 930 × (Width) 295 × (Height) 150: mm
Load capacity: 200kg
Reference retail price (tax included): ¥14,461

Tie-down straps

Tie-down straps are used to secure the motorcycle. One end is attached to the motorcycle, and the other end is hooked to the trampo to secure it.

Alternatively, you can secure the motorcycle by tying a strap around a stable part, such as the handlebars, and then hooking both ends of the tie-down strap. You can switch between methods depending on the loading situation.

Tie-down straps come in two types: ratchet type and buckle type (hooks only). The ratchet type is tightened by moving a handle (gear) back and forth.

■Ratchet tie-down strap

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/drc-d36-05-510

Product Details

This is a set of two easy-to-use ratchet-type tie-down straps, featuring safety hooks to prevent them from coming loose.

The S-hooks are vinyl-coated and come standard with safety hooks to prevent dislodgement and loop straps to prevent damage.

Quantity: Set of 2
Length: 170cm
Belt width: 2.5cm
Reference retail price (tax included): ¥3,470

Rubber mat

A rubber mat is a rubber-made mat laid in the cargo area to prevent it from getting scratched or dirty.

Some rubber mats have anti-slip processing, and the combination of rubber and anti-slip processing creates friction with the motorcycle tires, making the motorcycle less likely to slip, providing peace of mind.

Even when not carrying a motorcycle, laying a rubber mat will protect the trampo's cargo area from any loaded items.

■Cargo bed rubber mat

Source: www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0CQXHZ5XS

This is a rubber mat with anti-slip processing on the surface, suitable for use in trampo cargo areas, warehouses, and various other places.

This elastic and shrinkable rubber mat can be easily cut with scissors or a utility knife to fit the shape of your trampo's cargo area.

With a thickness of 3mm, it can be bent to conform to the shape of the cargo area, making it a versatile rubber mat for various cargo spaces.

Size: (Length) 500 × (Width) 100: cm
Thickness: 3mm
Reference retail price (tax included): ¥7,699

Brake lock

A brake lock is an item that allows you to keep the brake applied when a motorcycle is parked.

During motorcycle transport with a trampo, the brakes need to be locked to prevent the motorcycle from moving due to vibrations or G-forces. A brake lock eliminates the need to constantly secure the brake with cable ties or other means.

It's easy to attach and detach, and affordable, making it a convenient item to have.

■Front brake lock

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/d-96996

Product Details

This brake lock from DAYTONA, a major motorcycle accessories retailer, is an affordable item that firmly secures the front brake.

In addition to the yellow shown in the image, it is available in six colors, including red and blue, allowing you to choose a color that matches your preference or motorcycle.

Reference retail price (tax included): ¥761

Sub-belt

Sub-belts are auxiliary belts used when securing a motorcycle with tie-down straps.

Typically, a sub-belt is wrapped around a part of the motorcycle, and then the hook of a tie-down strap is attached to the sub-belt. This is useful when hooks cannot be directly attached to the motorcycle.

This auxiliary belt reduces the risk of damaging the motorcycle because the tie-down strap hooks do not need to be attached directly to the bike.

■Sub-belt

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/kj-303-0081r

Product Details

This is a set of two sub-belts with a suitable length of 550mm (55cm) and a width of 25mm (2.5cm).

The sub-belt is designed in a loop shape to prevent twisting when used in conjunction with tie-down straps.

Quantity: 2 pieces
Length: 550mm
Width: 25mm
Reference retail price (tax included): ¥1,085

Safely transporting your motorcycle with a trampo! Basic loading method

Source: https://pixabay.com/ja/photos/8A-500910/

Simply placing a motorcycle in a trampo carries the risk of it shifting or falling over during transport.

We will explain the basic steps for safe transportation using a trampo, so please refer to them.

Step 1: Set up the ladder ramp

To load a motorcycle into a trampo's cargo area, you first need to place a ladder ramp between the cargo opening and the ground to create a slope.

Once the ladder ramp is in place, securing it to the cargo area hooks with tie-down straps will prevent it from coming off during loading, providing peace of mind.

Also, if the loading area is sloped, the risk of the ladder ramp coming loose during loading increases, so load on a flat surface.

Step 2: Load the motorcycle

Once the ladder ramp is set up and secured, position the motorcycle in a straight line with the ramp and begin loading it into the trampo.

Depending on the transporter and motorcycle, the mirrors may interfere with the ceiling of the cargo area when loaded. Therefore, it is safer to remove the mirrors when loading for the first time.

It requires less effort to load the motorcycle with the engine running, but it is dangerous and can lead to accidents, so always load the motorcycle with the engine off.

Step 3: Secure to the handlebars or frame using tie-down straps

Once the motorcycle is loaded into the cargo area of the transporter, put it on its side stand to set it in place, then secure it with tie-down straps.

The tie-down straps should be attached to the handlebars or frame, but depending on the motorcycle, the hooks of the tie-down straps may not be able to be attached, and some people may worry about scratches.

If you cannot attach tie-down straps to your motorcycle or are concerned about scratches, you can attach sub-straps to the handlebars or frame. Then, by attaching the tie-down straps to the loops of the sub-straps, you can secure the motorcycle without worrying about scratches.

Step 4: Secure all four sides firmly and check that the motorcycle does not move.

After securing the motorcycle with tie-down straps, check that the motorcycle does not move back and forth or side to side and is firmly secured.

If the tie-down straps are loose, the motorcycle will move while driving, so ensuring that the tie-down straps are properly tensioned is also a key point for checking.

Once it is firmly secured, lock the front brake of the motorcycle. If you do not have a front brake lock, secure it with zip ties or similar.

Step 5: Using wheel chocks further stabilizes it.

While the motorcycle is secured with tie-down straps and a front brake lock, having wheel chocks such as a front wheel clamp will further stabilize the motorcycle body during transport.

If wheel chocks are not available, placing a non-slip rubber mat is effective, as the friction with the tire rubber will prevent it from slipping.

When transporting over long distances, tie-down straps may loosen along the way, so regularly checking the motorcycle's securement status will ensure safer transportation.

Suitable vehicle types for motorcycle transporters

Source: https://pixabay.com/ja/photos/9E-2251530/

There are various types and sizes of vehicles that can be used as motorcycle transporters.

We will introduce vehicle types that can be used as motorcycle transporters, categorized by vehicle type. If you are considering introducing a transporter, please refer to this information when making your choice.

Vehicle Type 1: Kei Trucks

Kei trucks are light vehicles with an open cargo bed, often used in agriculture.

The Suzuki "Carry," Subaru "Sambar Truck," and Daihatsu "Hijet Truck" can be used as motorcycle transporters, and all models are available new and used.

The open cargo bed of a kei truck means the motorcycle will get wet in the rain, and the cargo bed is relatively high, resulting in a very steep angle when a ladder ramp is used. These points should be noted.

Vehicle Type 2: One-Box Vans / Vans

One-box vans offer the largest loading capacity among vehicles, excluding car carriers.

The Toyota "Hiace" and Nissan "Caravan" are frequently used as transporters. They can carry two mopeds and offer ample storage capacity even for large motorcycles.

While the Hiace and Caravan are regular passenger vehicles, the Suzuki "Every" and Daihatsu "Atrai," which are kei cars, also offer surprising storage capacity for kei cars and are highly popular as transporters.

Vehicle Type 3: Minivans

Minivans are popular as family cars due to their appealing space that can accommodate both people and cargo.

The Toyota "Voxy," "Alphard/Vellfire," Honda "Step WGN," and Nissan "Serena" can be used as motorcycle transporters.

However, some minivans have a lower interior height compared to one-box vans and vans, so the overall height of the motorcycle may not clear in some cases. Therefore, it is advisable to measure and confirm the dimensions before purchasing.

How much does it cost to transport a motorcycle using a transporter?

Source: https://pixabay.com/ja/photos/A2-3401529/

Transporting a motorcycle using a transporter requires a minimum initial investment for vehicle purchase and maintenance, plus fuel costs for each trip. This initial cost ranges from approximately 1.2 million yen (for a kei truck) to 4.5 million yen (for a minivan).

The cost of transportation includes fuel and, if expressways are used, toll fees. Fuel costs vary depending on the transporter vehicle and the distance traveled.

Assuming a round trip of 200 km each way, fuel costs would be approximately 4,300 yen for a kei truck (calculated with 17 km/L fuel efficiency and 180 yen/L gasoline) and about 6,000 yen for a Hiace or similar van (calculated with 10 km/L fuel efficiency and 150 yen/L diesel).