VW beetle with 5th wheel

[John Blizzard]

This is very cool. Has anyone seen this? Who built this anyway?
Seems like a good idea for a modern small SUV or crossover.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56XL0TysIn0

[David Mooney]

I could see him ripping the roof off of his car the way he's whipping that thing around.

Are vehicle roofs made to support a tongue weight?

[Coach George Jessup]

Saw this on a roof of a domestic car a a campground parked next to it's fith wheel when I was a kid. It had an outerframe that wrapped under the car too. It was NOT a unibody but a framed car, thus I assume it attahced to the frame.

hmm that makes it around. 1971 when I saw that.

[Sharon Herman]

This is very cool. Has anyone seen this? Who built this anyway?
Seems like a good idea for a modern small SUV or crossover.

Really cool!!

[dennis k]

John,

Thank you for bringing this to my/our attention. This looks like not a view of the past but a glimpse of the future for a community of RV owners struggling to reserve natural resources, leave a planet for our grandchildren, and still enjoy our special kind of travel! This design is thought provoking. And wow - didn't those V Dubs have only 54 hp? Perhaps traveling just a little slower, maybe 55 - 60 would allow us to see more scenery too. I have noted recently that the minimum speed limit on major highways is 40 mph - this gives a nice margin for those who don't think that the speed limit is the only speed you are allowed to travel (although if you slow down a bit you will get some discourteous reactions/gestures). Sometimes it is hard to be responsible and forward-thinking in a world of troglodytes. I am certain that one could find many a criticism to level at small car pulling a minimal trailer, but I for one really like this concept. Thank you so much for the idea. I will enjoy researching the history, testing and results of this concept trailer when I can get to a proper computer.

All that wander are not lost,
dennis

[Dave Mac]

That is so cool! Durring my walk today I thought if I take my Jeep Wrangler ...modify the roll bars to attach to the frame and then mount the 5th wheel hitch reciver to the top of the roll bars.....add some bracing to the roll bars....
If I only had a Scamp 5th wheel trailer I'd be all set!

I like the manuverability this thing had.

I LIKE IT!!

[reinhold m]

Has anyone seen this?

yes. http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/in...howtopic=32161

and http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/in...howtopic=30980

(altho' admittedly the OP for the top thread didn't put any good
search terms to enable one to find it with a search, but the other
one did use 'beetle' in the title as you did).

[Donna D.]

(altho' admittedly the OP for the top thread didn't put any good
search terms to enable one to find it with a search, but the other
one did use 'beetle' in the title as you did).

Good point, I just put VW Beetle in the subtitle. Thanks for the suggestion!

[John Blizzard]

yes. http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/in...howtopic=32161

and http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/in...howtopic=30980

(altho' admittedly the OP for the top thread didn't put any good
search terms to enable one to find it with a search, but the other
one did use 'beetle' in the title as you did).

Sorry man, I guess I should have searched more thoroughly before posting.............

[Lizbeth]

Very cool!

I wonder who made it? Can't read any of the signs in the old video.

[Wayne D]

I think that's just fantastic!!! If they would do an updated one in fiberglasss that could be pulled by a new Beetle, I'd be the first in line. As for roof being able to support the tongue weight, most cars roofs should be able to support 150-200 lbs. Your typical roof rack for luggage, bikes etc does that.

[james kent]

You really must take a look at the make and age of the vehicle. Back then they tried almost anything with those little bugs. You used to be able to buy an oversized key for the back that would turn as you drove down the road. They made motor home type caravans out of them and produced DIY plans in Pop. Mechanics. They had a class that raced them on a road course like Mosport or Watkins Glenn. Which eventually led to the Dune buggies and Baja racers. They were a great platform to add a sportcar body and look like an MG TC or a Coyote or even a Model TThey replaced the bodies with Fiberglas or wood. They nade a Rolls Royce front end. They added wings and tried to fly them. What they didn't do to them was limited by imagination. Still it's fun to see some of that old stuff again.

[Tim Wood]

I don't know what the safety factor is , but its vey cool and a great idea.