I’m in the middle of doing what you’re thinking about.
Next week we start to build the deck and ramp system for my SPRINTER cab and chassis dually.
(The Christmas snowstorm has already melted away)
The truck will carry my Black and Pepper White MINI Cooper and pull the 1976 ARGOSY that I’ve been customizing. The trailer will be painted to match the car.
The Smart car that uwe pointed out is exactly what I had in mind. I've been following its development for some time now. The length, weight - and even the shape would appear to work out just right. I haven't sketched it out yet - but the slope of the hood and windshield, with the car mounted on a ramp that starts at the top of the TV cab and comes down to the top of the rear bumper, would appear to be a nice setup. The height, and center of gravity, would also appear to be relatively low. Anybody got access to CAD for a quick sketch of a GMC/Ford crewcab dually with long bed that they could superimpose the body and Smart car on?
The Smart car that uwe pointed out is exactly what I had in mind. I've been following its development for some time now. The length, weight - and even the shape would appear to work out just right. I haven't sketched it out yet - but the slope of the hood and windshield, with the car mounted on a ramp that starts at the top of the TV cab and comes down to the top of the rear bumper, would appear to be a nice setup. The height, and center of gravity, would also appear to be relatively low. Anybody got access to CAD for a quick sketch of a GMC/Ford crewcab dually with long bed that they could superimpose the body and Smart car on?
I thought it was a perfect object for your needs. Extremely short overhang front and rear, short wheelbase to make the angle where the ramps meet the truck bed, and small size/low weight. They are quite comfortable, too. By now they are proven and very popular, it's a hoot to see them scream down the Autobahn at close to 100mph.
I have a felling that these little cars are going to be a great asset to the MoHo owner that likes to tow 4-down. The car is designed to handle it.
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I have a felling that these little cars are going to be a great asset to the MoHo owner that likes to tow 4-down. The car is designed to handle it.
There is a motorhome manufacturer that uses a mid-engine chassis and builds a hydraulic lift mechanism that lifts this very car into a 10' long garage built into the rear of the coach. I saw this on a recent episode of RVTV from an industry RV show.
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yeah, but you can't understand 'em when ya call for service
Oh, Bob, you don't service those cars. You have ot buy a new one.
The low ramp trucks like the red one Terry posted work very well when set up properly. The are/were used a lot by drag racers who could then pull a small travel trailer behind for camping at the race track.
I like the Sprinter idea. Great vehicles, reasonable gas mileage, and much newer technology.
As for the Smart Cars (what they are called here in Canada), I've seen a couple that were in accidents and they are not for me. If you hit another Smart Car you have a chance of surviving. Hit anything bigger, like a VW, and, well.................
Barry
__________________ Barry & Donna Life is short - so's the door on an Flying Cloud (ouch) 1951 Flying Cloud 21' 1957 Pontiac Safari 2dr wagon TV
On the other hand, They would fair better than some of the golf carts we see operating in, and at the side of the road. And occasionally on the sidewalks.
Maybe.
As for the Smart Cars (what they are called here in Canada), I've seen a couple that were in accidents and they are not for me. If you hit another Smart Car you have a chance of surviving. Hit anything bigger, like a VW, and, well.................
Barry
Check out this video, guys and gals....they thrashed this little car into a concrete barrier head on at 70mph. Doors still open. Something to be said about low mass/high strength construction. http://www.metacafe.com/watch/60538/smart_car_crash/
Oh, Bob, you don't service those cars. You have ot buy a new one.
The low ramp trucks like the red one Terry posted work very well when set up properly. The are/were used a lot by drag racers who could then pull a small travel trailer behind for camping at the race track.
I like the Sprinter idea. Great vehicles, reasonable gas mileage, and much newer technology.
As for the Smart Cars (what they are called here in Canada), I've seen a couple that were in accidents and they are not for me. If you hit another Smart Car you have a chance of surviving. Hit anything bigger, like a VW, and, well.................
Barry
Barry, I don't know what you saw but I saw a demonstration video of a Smart Car and a much larger car in a near head on and the Smart Cars passengers compartment survived much better than the larger car. I think because they are so small the occupant compartment is build like a race cars, made to protect the occupants.I could see one in my future especially if they import the deisel. Just type in Smart car crash video and see what you come up with.I think it will surprise you.
Barry, I don't know what you saw but I saw a demonstration video of a Smart Car and a much larger car in a near head on and the Smart Cars passengers compartment survived much better than the larger car. I think because they are so small the occupant compartment is build like a race cars, made to protect the occupants.I could see one in my future especially if they import the deisel. Just type in Smart car crash video and see what you come up with.I think it will surprise you.
Craftsman
We saw a bunch of tests when they first introduced them into Canada and were quite impressed. But those were pretty controlled situations even though they crunched the cars.
My early enthusiasm was squelched when friends started sending pictures of them in real life accidents as well as You Tube vids. I don't know what a bejabber is, but I had them scared out of me.
Barry
__________________ Barry & Donna Life is short - so's the door on an Flying Cloud (ouch) 1951 Flying Cloud 21' 1957 Pontiac Safari 2dr wagon TV
So here we are chatting about hauling a car on the truck and towing the Airstream and tonight we pass a dually Dodge 3/4 ton with a tracker on a ramp on the back and a car trailer flat deck behind with a regular cab, short box Dodge truck on the trailer, heading east on the Trans Canada Highway. It did not look overburdened in any way and they were making pretty decent time. The ramp on the truck was at an angle up and over the cab but I suspect that was so they could accommodate longer vehicles. A flat bed with a short car on it would probably work better for your needs, and provide less wind resistance.
Barry
__________________ Barry & Donna Life is short - so's the door on an Flying Cloud (ouch) 1951 Flying Cloud 21' 1957 Pontiac Safari 2dr wagon TV
This is one of those concepts (piggyback) that are hard to justify when you put the dollars to it - even though it's very workable. I'm anxious to see the "Smart" car when it arrives at dealer showrooms. There are a lot of new car ideas coming out in the near future but the redeeming aspect of the "Smart" car is that it uses relatively simple and old proven technlogy - i.e., nothing more than a small gasoline engine sans sophisticated hybrid technology. Size is the other nice feature in that it's damn difficult to go tooling around downtown Quebec city, or other old towns, in a 23' long dually! Even Bar Harbor, Maine can pose a problem in the summertime when you try to park the darn thing! That's one of the reasons we bought a '91 classic Saab convertible - but unless the wife drives the Saab and trails along behind me we're stuck with the dually as our "touring" vehicle when we travel with the Airstream. Anyone in the market for a pristine '91 Saab SE Turbo convertible with 5-speed?
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