Mountain Biking • Adventure Van Life
Chase Dirt, Sleep at the Trailhead
You know the feeling. Wake up in a parking lot, coffee's already brewing, and there's nobody on the trail yet. The bike's right there — you slept three feet from it. No driving to the trailhead, no finding parking, no forgetting your helmet at home. This is what mountain bikers figured out years ago: a van isn't just transportation. It's basecamp.
The single most debated topic in MTB van builds: where do the bikes go? There's no perfect answer — just tradeoffs based on how you ride and live.
Remove the front wheel and mount the fork to a rack inside the van. Bikes are protected from weather, theft, and road grime. They stay cleaner and you don't advertise that you've got expensive gear.
Pros: Security, protection, stealth • Cons: Takes interior space, have to remove wheels • Best for: Long trips, expensive bikes, wet climates
Bikes live under the bed platform on slide-out trays. Pull the tray out the back doors, grab your bike, go. Keeps the living area separate from the muddy bike area.
Pros: Easy access, contained mess • Cons: Limits bed height, complex to build • Best for: Daily riders, wet/muddy conditions
Simple, keeps bikes outside and living space intact. Works great until you're in a sketch parking lot overnight or dealing with rain for a week straight.
Pros: Maximizes interior space, easy loading • Cons: Security risk, weather exposure • Best for: Short trips, trusted areas, good weather
Keeps bikes completely out of the way but adds height (watch those parking garages and drive-throughs) and requires lifting bikes overhead. Works better for road bikes than heavy e-MTBs.
Pros: Interior and rear access clear • Cons: Height, lifting, potential damage • Best for: Multiple bike types, lighter bikes
MTB requires more gear than almost any other sport. Helmets, pads, shoes, tools, spare parts, pump, hydration packs, probably a stand... and that's just for one person. Organized storage is the difference between a functional van and a constant frustration.
Helmet & Gear Hooks
Mount hooks near the doors so helmets and packs have a home. Wet stuff dries, nothing gets lost in the pile.
Tool Station
Dedicated drawer or cabinet for bike tools, tubes, pump, lube. When something breaks at the trailhead, you know exactly where everything is.
Wet/Dry Separation
The key to not destroying your van. Keep muddy shoes and gear in a contained area — not mixed with your bedding and clean clothes.
Repair Stand Mount
Some builds include a fold-out repair stand — game changer for trailside fixes. Others just carry a portable stand.
OZK is based in Northwest Arkansas — one of the best mountain biking regions in the world. When you pick up your van, you're already at some of the best trails in the country:
We ride. We get it. OZK builds vans for mountain bikers who want smart bike storage, organized gear, and the freedom to chase trails anywhere. Come by the shop in Fayetteville — ride Slaughter Pen, check out what we're building, and let's talk about your setup.
Building a van around your bikes? We've done this a lot and we ride too. Let's figure out the best storage setup for how you actually ride.
ADDRESS:
6159 E Huntsville Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72701
PHONE:
(479) 326-9200
EMAIL:
info@ozkvans.com