VW Bug Pulling Trailer

[Binxie]

OK, I didn't technically see this live, but it's a pretty damned cool concept. I think a roof hookup like this could work for a lot of small cars. Wonder if current bodies have the strength, though ... I think the old bugs were steel.

[video=facebook]

A commenter at the Facebook page wrote: "Concept never made it to production due to too light weight of materials making the trailer dangerous and unstable when driving. Was called the Dandy by fleetwood, my dad's idea and grandfathers design back in the 70's. Was called the Dandy cause he called my dad Dandy Andy. We actually have the original reel for this."

I wonder if there's a way to salvage the concept?

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Note: Can't seem to get the Facebook video to embed. Is there a trick?

 

[LeeRevell]

It's an interesting concept.  It could work as modern cars are designed for better rollover protection.  Depends on the car I suppose.

 

[VanDwellerMod]

Working on figuring out why embedded facebook video isn't working.  Here is a different facebook video (unrelated) for a test.

[video=facebook]

For some reason, videos on facebook are not getting embedded.  I will research this to see if I can find a fix.

Here is the same vw/trailer video on YouTube, for a test.  It works from YouTube.


[video=youtube]

Here's another facebook video from the originator's account.

Test with a video I made and uploaded to facebook.

[video=facebook]

[video=facebook]https://www.facebook.com/100009667608403/videos/vb.100009667608403/144459819219604/?type=2[/video]

[video=facebook]https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v2/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif[/video]

 

[Milk Hauler]

Those bugs were gutless enough with the 1600 motor, but first your clutch would have a nuclear meltdow before you got moving. Assuming you started out going down hill, how would you go about stopping?

 

[eDJ_]

I worked with a guy years ago who was older than I.   He was s VW enthusiast and had a Karmann Ghia
that he towed a small Pop-Up Tent camper behind.   He claimed that he got a flywheel from a VW Bus
and sent it off to have it lightened to like 10 lbs.  (stock was around 18 lbs)  This had a much larger
clutch and a heavier duty pressure plate.  So when he had the engine out to do the flywheel swap
he gained low end take off and had a solid clutch so he could travel with out much hassle.

Only in high head winds did the little Karmann Ghia suffer resistance on the high way. 

Otherwise, without the Tent Camper behind him he claimed the car had excellent acceleration
characteristics.  He didn't do long distance high way driving in the VW.  Just short runs around the
general area.

 

[Milk Hauler]

Cool concept anyways. [emoji41]

 

[highdesertranger]

hear we go again. this concept has been around since the 60's maybe longer. anybody wonder why they have never seen something like this actually on the road. I really don't need to point out all the problems with this concept? do I? highdesertranger

 

[eDJ_]

At one time I was hot to have one of these

The one I looked at was for sale for $1200.   When I examined the engine there was an electric fan
mounted in there to help cool the engine.  I could see the ground around the engine too. I then realized that the builder didn't understand how the air cooled engine in a VW worked and the necessity to pan it off with sheet metal so it is totally enclosed and can only draw air into the engine through the engine's cooling fan from
a lower air pressure vent system . (on a Bug typically under the rear window)  At higher speeds the open engine compartment will actually incur a vacuum created by the air rushed under the vehicle and that over power the suction of the engine's cooling fan, leading to overheating.  That's probably why the electric fan was installed. 

So I figured the engine had been running hot and was fried thus didn't purchase it.  Had I found it without
an engine for $700 or so I may have purchased it. (taking a chance that the transaxle is ok)  Then I could ready an engine and install it properly, taking the engine air from below the rear window.

One of the things I like most about the top photo is the square door above the Left Rear Tire.  That
allows a tray to be pulled out with the cook stove mounted to it.  Thus you can cook outside
on a hot day just as easily as indoors.  A small awning for this would be lovely so it could be pulled up
beside a picnic table for outdoor cooking and dining. (making it much more fun and usable)

 

[highdesertranger]

yeah ever driven an air cooled engine when the ambient temp is 100+. won't last long. highdesertranger

 

[eDJ_]

LOL,  I don't plan on driving anything that isn't air conditioned on a 100+ degree day.  If I were to
have one of these outfits I'd have a large oil cooler remoted to the side where plenty of passing air would
flow over it. 

Otherwise, I'd travel in the later evening, night, or early morning when it is "more cooler".