How to store an adult tricycle in a car
Adult tricycles are incredible for stability, cargo, and pure riding joy. But when it comes to transporting them? That wide rear axle can turn a quick weekend trip into a high-stakes game of Tetris.
If you’ve been staring blankly at your trunk wondering how to make it fit, don’t worry. Getting a trike into a vehicle is entirely doable with the right strategy. Here is your definitive guide on how to store and transport an adult tricycle in a car without breaking a sweat (or your bumper).
Method 1: The Interior Squeeze (Best for SUVs, Minivans, & Hatchbacks)
If you have a vehicle with a large cabin, your best bet is keeping the motor trike protected inside the car.
To load a trike internally, use this sequence to maximize space and prevent damage to your car’s interior:
1.Prep the vehicle: Clear the space.
Fold down all rear seats completely. Lay down an old blanket or a heavy-duty tarp across the floorboard to protect your car’s upholstery from chain grease and tire marks.
2.Condense the trike: Minimize its footprint.
If your trike has a folding frame, engage the hinge now. Lower the handlebars and the seat post to their absolute lowest positions. If your trike features a quick-release front wheel, pop it off—this removes a massive chunk of length.
3.Load rear-wheels first: The trick to positioning.
Back the tricycle into the car trunk-first. Because the rear axle is the widest part, you want to guide it carefully past the narrowest part of your trunk opening.
4.Anchor it down: Safety first.
An unsecured trike can become a dangerous projectile during a sudden stop. Thread a couple of bungee cords or ratchet straps through the trike’s frame and secure them to the cargo tie-down hooks inside your car.
Method 2: The Hitch-Mounted Rack (Best for Sedans & Smaller Cars)
If your car’s cabin is too small—or if you simply don’t want to wrestle a heavy trike into the back seat—going external is the smartest move. However, standard bike racks will not work.
Because of the wide dual-wheel rear footprint, you will need a specialized hitch-mounted platform trike rack.
Weight Warning: Adult tricycles (especially electric ones) are significantly heavier than standard bicycles—often weighing between 50 to 80 lbs. Ensure both your car’s tongue weight capacity and the rack itself are rated to handle the load.
Three Essential Tips Before You Hit the Road
- Watch the Derailleur: When loading the trike on its side or backing it into a tight space, always ensure the rear derailleur (the gear-shifting mechanism) is facing upward and not hitting the car floor. Bending this piece will ruin your shifting.
- Remove Loose Accessories: Take off baskets, water bottles, mirrors, and electronic displays before transporting. Wind resistance on a highway or bumping against a car seat can easily snap these fragile pieces off.
- Remove the Battery: If you are transporting an electric trike (an e-trike), always slide out the battery and keep it in the cabin with you. This keeps the battery out of elements like rain or intense heat, and sheds roughly 7–10 lbs of heavy lifting.
With a little patience and a solid tarp, you can easily take your trike wherever adventure calls. Happy riding!