SteveA

We are looking to rent a vehicle one-way - for a tandem tour this summer. Because of the one-way nature of the rental we don't want to use a rack on the vehicle. Like goldi-locks we are looking for something not-too-big and not-too-small. For cost reasons our choice would probably not be for a mini-van. If anyone can offer any suggestions for, perhaps mid-sized SUV's, etc. that can carry a tandem inside (both wheels off is fine) - we'd certainly appreciate it.

Econo-boxes, hummers, rental trucks, etc. all have their advantantages - but we are looking for something more middle-of-the road.

Thanks!
Steve

PeFSQ

Actually not mid-size but compact Honda Fit is super-practical. Although we do not own one, we have seen several teams carrying their tandems in this vehicle. The strategy is to fold down the front passenger seat and put the tandem in vertically standing, exactly as you would do in a mini-van. The only drawback is that your partner has to be driven around in the back passenger seat. You probably could transport a tandem in a similar fashion with other hatchback vehicles that allow the front passenger seat to be folded down, so, that would be the feature I would look for. Honda Fit also seems to have enough clearence in the trunk opening to allow loading the tandem without much hassle.

zonatandem

This was on BF a while back . . . Honda Fit; carries tandem easily and great gas mileage (40+ mpg) to boot.
Stoker would sit in her usual position . . . behind the captain!
We own an old (1997) Honda Accord station wagon; a great/economical/dependable/ tandem hauler and a bit larger than the Fit.
Enjoy the summner tour!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

SteveA

Thanks for the suggestion. My wife would prefer to sit side-by-side for our drive to the starting point - so we are looking for something that will allow that. If we were just driving up the road a bit she'd be fine fine with the front-rear seating.

gphagemann

We were in AZ recently and found that if you search non-airport rentals you have more cheap options. We rented a Jeep (Liberty?) that fit our tandem both wheels off fine. And, after some searching it ended up being about the same price as the smallest airport subcompact, including the Super Shuttle fees to the rental site. Extra time was only about 1/2 hour vs airport off-site rental area. Budget allowed lots of options, including one way to or from the airport. Good luck!

bikefor2

I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but I am wondering the same thing. I have a question about taking off 2 wheels and putting it inside. Do you lay it on it's side or stand it up? Either way, how do you support it and keep it from moving around?

geranimo57

We have a Chrysler 300, the back seats fold down - with both wheels off it lays flat in the trunk space plenty of room for bags etc.

SteveA

When we went to Spain a couple of years ago the taxi was a small crossover SUV-like/minivan 2wd hybrid and the tandem fit in the back just fine with both wheels off (and with both front and rear racks still on). We laid it flat (on it's side). The bags and things we had back there stopped it from moving around at all. We did lay it on top of the plastic bag that we transported it on the plane with (just to stop from greasing up someone else's vehicle).

My wife, the cab driver, the tandem, all of our bags and I fit just fine.

SteveA

Thanks. That sounds promising. We'll check the rental price for that class of vehicle. I would expect that it will get better MPG than a mini-van.

Geocyclist

Hyundai Santa Fe,

I've rented one of these vehicles for the last three summers. Tandem easily fits inside with plenty of space for luggage.

Enjoy your trip!