A New Way To Carry Your Toad

[toddster]

Found this while surfing the web.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/27/c...-from-germany/

I guess the car would not longer be called a towed, but rather a hauled. The only downside I see would be the obvious loss of basement storage. Probably really improves handling/stability with the lowered center of gravity when hauling the car.

[moosetags]

That about beats all.

[SmokelessJoe]

This isn’t completely new. The Germans several years ago began building motor homes with a rear end compartment that held a Mercedes SMART CAR.

I’m going to be hauling my MINI Copper on my new SPRINTER 3500 Cab and Chassis.

This gives me the advantage of being able to bring my 1976 ARGOSY along.


Sergei

[wheel interested]

I never dreamed of something like that. I have thought that a body integral detachable vehicle would be cool for motorhomes, but this is really unique. I like the way designers keep ahead particularly when free to fashion for concept. I remember Popular Mechanics and the cars of the future. I love looking at this stuff. Thanks for posting.

[swebster]

Travel Supreme has been building a mid engined rear garage motorhome in ths US for a couple of years now. There are also one or two Dynamax RV's (freightliner truck chassis) with a similar rear garage setup.

I'll tell you, the Germans are coming (to the RV industry). European caravans hitting the US market would be very good for consumers in the US. Narrow roads and high energy costs are driving European innovation in front engine diesel and (imagine this) no slide units on very efficient floorplans.

I got to see a couple of German Class A's at last year's RVIA show and they were vey impressive. For example. automotive/yacht level of fit and finish. One example of dealing with no slides was that the rear beds where raised up well above floor height in the back to accomodate very large rear storage compartments. I asked the rep and he said why waste all of that cubic space doing nothing above the bed. Good point.

I would not be surprised to see more this year.

[takenitez]

Travel Supreme Co has a mid-engine diesel that has a similar feature, except it's rear loading:
http://www.travelsupreme.com/product_page.php?product=5

I recall seeing a blurb in Trailer Life mag a while ago that showed a Mini Cooper being driven up the rear ramp into the back end - I can't imagine that space would accomodate anything larger. Ahhhh, the toys of the well-to-do....

Bob

[safari57]

Darn, I NEED one of those. Of course, there's no way I could afford it, or drive it, or even park it, but man I need one of those.

Barry

[redeagle313]

Originally Posted by moosetags

That about beats all.

The only thing that would make it neater would be a mechanism to allow for the "launching" of the stored vehicle while the motorcoach is in motion.