Using the Winnebago HIKE 100 FLX as a Multi-Sport Basecamp

Using the Winnebago HIKE 100 FLX as a Multi-Sport Basecamp 
How to pack up bikes, boards, and other adventure gear in this small travel trailer!

By: Amy Jane David

The Winnebago HIKE 100 FLX is the ultimate adventure basecamp. No matter how a person chooses to recreate outdoors, this is the right rig to haul any toy. I thrive on multi-sport adventures in the warmer months. I enjoy biking, hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, and having a cozy camper to crash in after a big day out with my dog, Mango. 

In this blog, I’ll share a favorite multisport adventure I went on this past summer. I’ll also break down how I haul the gear and the features of the trailer that make life easier on the go.

Tips for Hauling Gear in the Winnebago HIKE 100 FLX

Transporting Bicycles

The Winnebago HIKE 100 FLX provides several convenient ways to transport bikes. I tow my trailer with an F150 truck, so the easiest way to carry my bikes is by using a tailgate bike pad that fits up to five bikes with the front tire nestled over the tailgate. I prefer this because I can park the trailer at the campsite and drive to the trailhead. Another option is to use the receiver hitch on the back of the trailer to mount a bike rack. This is a good option if you don’t use a truck. 

The final strategy is to configure the interior of the trailer so that the couches are lifted up against the walls. This allows for storing bikes and other gear securely inside the trailer. There are D rings on the floor in each corner to strap the bikes down when driving. I put my bikes inside the trailer to keep them locked up and safe if I’m leaving the rig unattended while camping or around town. 

Securing Stand-Up Paddleboards

After a day of getting worn out biking or hiking, I love cooling down in the water. I prefer an inflatable SUP that packs down in a 2’x4’ roller bag because it’s easy to store inside my truck or the trailer. After cruising around the lake, I let it dry out in the sun and wipe off any dirt before deflating, rolling, and storing it in the bag. 

The Winnebago HIKE 100 FLX also has easy options for transporting boards or kayaks that don’t deflate. If you have a hard SUP, it can easily slide into the back of the trailer just like the bike by putting one or both of the couches up against the wall. 

When using the inside space of the unit while at camp, it’s easy to store the board outside or under the trailer. Another great option is to use the roof rack attachments. The ladder is already set up on the exterior of the camper allowing quick access to the roof. 

Bringing Furry Adventure Companions

My pup, Mango, goes everywhere with me. She is the type of pup who loves to romp around outside followed by snuggling up in bed. A perfect combination to get my personal space covered in dirt! 

I bring an outdoor bed for her and a designated dog blanket as an attempt at keeping her from tracking too much muck into the trailer. I pack a small bag for her that has her water and food bowls, treats, brush, toys, leash, and food. She roams free most of the time, but if the camp area is crowded or there are wild animals nearby, I use a long rope to tether her to the outside of the camper when we’re hanging out. Never leave the dogs at home!

Additional Outdoor Gear Storage

The Winnebago HIKE 100 FLX has a lot of storage spaces. (Read this article for an in-depth review of the storage available.) Over time I’ve acquired a variety of bins and hooks that work well to keep the essentials in place. I have a few hooks that hang over the bathroom door where I put coats and towels. The bathroom is my favorite place to put any gear that needs to dry out, or that may be a little dirtier, since there’s a drain in the floor for the shower. The removable shelves are ideal for towels, extra blankets, and shoes. 

In the larger closet, I added a lightweight plastic dresser with three drawers for clothes. Mesh bags work great for dirty clothes. Hats and gloves go in the packable bins on top of the dresser. In the summer, I’m often switching out sports gear depending on the activity, so having a low-profile tote full of each sport’s gear is easy to swap out. These get slid under the couches so they’re out of the way, but easy to access. 

All the food and cooking supplies are stashed in the cupboards in the kitchen area with a few organizing bins. The last items are a tool kit, first aid supplies, games, and extra personal items in their own bags in the closet by the bed. 

Keeping a Small Travel Trailer Clean During Outdoor Adventures

Any good summer sport ends with a lot of dirt and likely some mud. One feature I absolutely love on this unit is the outdoor shower with the water heater. One trick is to bring a mat or slatted plastic pallet to set on the ground, so your feet don’t get muddy using the outdoor shower. It’s handy to rinse off bikes, watercrafts, dirty clothes, or even a dirty dog to minimize the dirt getting tracked inside. The exterior frame bars also work as a clothesline to dry wet gear. 

I use a doormat to wipe shoes off before going inside and would recommend a pair of slippers or clean sandals to wear inside. After each trip, I use Clorox wipes to clean all the surfaces and sweep out the dirt. 

My Winnebago HIKE 100 FLX Summer Adventure

This summer, I took the trailer on several fun multi-sport camping trips. One week was spent exploring the Wyoming mountains, moving locations every couple of days. There was surprisingly enough room for three people (plus a dog) to sleep in the small space inside the Winnebago HIKE 100 FLX since the Murphy bed easily pops down creating tons of sleeping room!

Stop one was to the Granite Hot Springs. We parked down by the river, cooked over the campfire, and played softball in the open meadow. The next day we ventured out on a hike to find the hot springs in the river followed by the man-made pool further up the canyon. In the morning, we packed up and drove a few hours into adjacent mountains following a rough dirt road off the main drag. 

We spent days floating on the SUP at a small lake and playing hide and seek at night with glow sticks. The best part was hiking to a patch of snow that hadn’t melted yet where we rode a boogie board down as a sled. Before heading home, I made sure to take my mountain bike for a rip down the trails. This was a fun way to squeeze in all the nectar of summer before the fall leaves started to change!

To see how I use the Winnebago HIKE 100 FLX as a base for my winter RVing adventures, read this article.