What am I missing here? This seems brilliant. Is there some hidden dynamic flaw that I'm missing? There's got to be some reason this type of design never caught on. I wold throw a hitch on the roof of the Roadmaster in a second.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56XL0TysIn0
I've always loved that. One would think that you'd remain pretty limited in terms of tongue weight, reducing the number of trailer options pretty significantly.
Depends, does is clip to the rain gutters or bolt right through the roof?
It seems genius. It's out "bigger is better" mentality in 'Murica that keeps us from enjoying smaller cool things.
The Passat would be happy with 16' of fifth wheel behind and over it.
That makes me want a beetle and beetle camper. Ive never wanted a beetle before
http://www.rqriley.com/minihome.html check this out, similar to the first idea, but maybe a little more GRM
914Driver wrote: Depends, does is clip to the rain gutters or bolt right through the roof?
I think it's just on there with magnets
In reply to JG Pasterjak: A beetle is slow enough without all that extra weight and drag, that's why the didn't catch on.
As for the Roadmaster, I'm sure it could handle something like that easily, the roof might not even need reinforcement, but it could also easily handle a decent sized traditional travel trailer. Also a traditional travel trailer can be passed between many different vehicles, whereas the roof mount trailers would be rather limited and specialized to specific vehicles, if I were a trailer manufacturer, I doubt that I would pursue that market.
OTOH, if you find a gooseneck trailer in the Roadmaster's weight range, shorten the neck and have at it!
Love the towing mirrors on the bug! 
I have never seen anything like that lol
Great idea for a Beetle, not so much for other cars that don't have such an overbuilt roof structure.
Ha!
When I saw your 1st post, I thought, "I'm gonna have to find that old video of the Volkswagen with the 5th wheel hitch on the roof!"
Then I looked at your video.
Low and behold!
JG Pasterjak wrote:914Driver wrote: Depends, does is clip to the rain gutters or bolt right through the roof?I think it's just on there with magnets
Velcro, dude, Velcro.
One thought: If you don't hook things up just right, you're going to have a nice bill at the body shop.
And don't be bringing magnets into this: http://youtu.be/_-agl0pOQfs
KyAllroad wrote: It seems genius. It's out "bigger is better" mentality in 'Murica that keeps us from enjoying smaller cool things. The Passat would be happy with 16' of fifth wheel behind and over it.
No not really. There are plenty of small lightweight trailers out there would work behind your Passat..... Just none that clip to the roof. Hell I've seen ac beetles pulling teardrop trailers recently. I don't know how they get up hills though.... My Baja with it's slightly modified 1600 has a hard enough time with its own weight.
JG Pasterjak wrote:914Driver wrote: Depends, does is clip to the rain gutters or bolt right through the roof?I think it's just on there with magnets
But how do they work?
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv3rLu4th4c
I found another video. Now you can rallyx with your fullsize American car and trailer!
GameboyRMH wrote: Great idea for a Beetle, not so much for other cars that don't have such an overbuilt roof structure.
Holy hell this would be perfect for the Swedish car segment!!!!
JtspellS wrote:GameboyRMH wrote: Great idea for a Beetle, not so much for other cars that don't have such an overbuilt roof structure.Holy hell this would be perfect for the Swedish car segment!!!!
I second that....I'm sure the brick would have no issue!
How do the safety chains and electrical hookups work?
Only problem is the hitch is "pushing" the car from above the CG. So in a turn it would be trying to roll the car over. Esp. if in a skidding situation.
But back to the serious part of the thread. It's Superglued on. Kind of like the guy hanging from the hard hat.
In reply to David S. Wallens:
Damn, you beat me to that punchline lol
Even better, why not use something like this to tow the roof-mount trailer?
A Triumph Stag, Porsche 914 or even 911 Targa would work, too.
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