Someone Needs to Bring Back This Roof-Mounted Fifth-Wheel Trailer for Hatchbacks

Mark Stevenson
by Mark Stevenson

In 2016, if you towed a camping trailer with anything other than a heavy-duty pickup, Mike Rowe and Denis Leary would take you out back and shoot you repeatedly with Blue Oval masculine marketing tripe.

But in 1974, if you were the proud owner of a Volkswagen Beetle, you could head off into the wilds confident in knowing that you and your loved ones would be safe sleeping in this fifth-wheel-style camper attached to the Teutonic compact’s roof.

It’s ingenious, and it needs to make a comeback.

Mark Stevenson
Mark Stevenson

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  • Zackman Zackman on Aug 29, 2016

    Other issues notwithstanding, how in the world did a VW bug with what? 50 hp? manage to (safely) pull such a rig when the car itself barely had power to get out of its own way? I disliked VWs back in the day - although they were fun to drive at times - and feel no different about them now. I'm amazed this was even offered as an option! How many did they sell and how many actually used this feature?

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    • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Aug 29, 2016

      @bunkie "And, no, alcohol and drugs were not involved." Yer doin' it wrong.

  • Kkop Kkop on Aug 29, 2016

    Modern versions of this have been built(find it on youtube). Also, a trailer like the one in the video has been found in a field somewhere and is being restored: https://youtu.be/OfHCnwVZqow

  • 87 Morgan 87 Morgan on Aug 29, 2016

    What a delight this would be to see heading up I-70 west of Denver to Vail. You would of course have plenty of time to see it, as it would most likely be traveling at walking pace or perhaps a light jog.

  • -Nate -Nate on Aug 29, 2016

    This old chestnut again =8-) . FWIW , Super Beetles had larger brakes , they used the rear brakes off the heavier Typ III on the front of Super Beetles . I can't say this getup is a good idea unless you never exceeded flat ground and 45 MPH . I'm one of those dolts who every few years , tows something as heavy as my light duty short bed 1/2 ton pickup , I always use secondary or tertiary roads and don't exceed 40 MPH because I too have seen up close and personal , what happens when things go sideways . HAVE A GREAT SUMMER ! . -Nate in green as grass Grants , NM

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