Carrying an electric fat bike

[Idahotom]

I have gotten WAY into electrically assisted bikes, I have 3 now, one little one I keep in my crane, as a dingy. One full sized one that folds and easily fits in the rear of the '08 HB (no rear seat, no spare tire carried, full sized Montague mountain bike folder), and..... a full sized non folding fat bike that weighs a bit over 60 lbs.

Right now I transport the fattie with my '99 Toyota Rav4, using a rack I built that bolts on the existing steel rack on the rear door that was intended for the spare tire. It works fine, but the 4 is a "gas hog" as compared to my Yaris, mid to maybe upper 20's mpg is about it, mid 40's for the Yaris is my norm.

I absolutely cannot stand the idea of a roof mount bike rack, for one thing getting the bike up there would be a pain, plus the aero drag has to be horrendous! Plus I think they really look like crap, especially on the sleek little Yaris. I don't want a trailer receiver rack that impedes the opening of the rear hatch either if I can help it.

I just got a new catalog from Northern Tool, and saw this little all aluminum trailer, $379.00 delivered. All I'd need to do is add a brake formed aluminum trough to capture the tires, and it would need to extend a bit past the little 4' bed length as the wheel base of the fat bike is about 5', then it'd be like the motorcycle trailers I've seen but much lighter. It would be super easy to load and secure the bike on this, and of course the trailer would be useful for other things, I'm just not too sure of the drag hit I'd take. I'd hate to end up getting very near the mileage of the 4. A few days ago I drove 275 miles with the Montague in the back of the Yaris, and I averaged 44.4 MPG. The thing is, the fat bike is the preferred ride (more electrical assist plus better ride and more traction) for the rougher trails, but I've been taking the Montague just because I can fit it inside. I don't have a trailer hitch, so by the time I bought or made one I'd be in it at least $500.00. I think I just talked myself into just using the Rav4 and eating the lesser mileage.....I just like the Yaris better all thing considered, and usually only drive the 4 when I need all wheel drive or much more room. I really don't need a trailer hitch on the Yaris, I think my next move will be to see if I can whip up a heavy duty bike rack that will bolt to the underbody but also be easily removable and hopefully allow easy access to the HB. Any other ideas?

Here's a link to the neat little all aluminum trailer:http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...0342_200660342