Camper unit

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 23, 2013 at 21:51
ThreadID: 104847 Views:2861 Replies:4 FollowUps:2
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I just came across this camper unit from 1974.
This looks to be an interesting idea. Wonder why it was never developed further.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJfouPd3Nws


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Reply By: Member - Chris_K - Wednesday, Oct 23, 2013 at 22:19

Wednesday, Oct 23, 2013 at 22:19
Yep - interesting concept. It would probably be too heavy for regulations governing how much each vehicle can carry on the roof. I'd suggest it would also be a problem going around corners given the high centre of gravity! Great for people who have difficulty reversing a trailer though!
AnswerID: 520268

Reply By: Rick (S.A.) - Wednesday, Oct 23, 2013 at 23:22

Wednesday, Oct 23, 2013 at 23:22
Hilarious!

Can you find any more gems????

RM
AnswerID: 520269

Reply By: Ron N - Wednesday, Oct 23, 2013 at 23:42

Wednesday, Oct 23, 2013 at 23:42
The reason the idea never developed further, was because it fell into the same category as parachutes that open on impact, lead balloons - and these 25 other utterly useless inventions ....

http://list25.com/25-most-useless-inventions-ever/

I'd have to hazard an educated guess, that following a 1.5L, 45Kw VW Beetle towing an articulated camper, that's attached to the equivalent of a roof rack, along a highway - would be enough to frustrate even the most saintly driver, who was stuck behind it.

The "dak-daks" always had a reputation (led by the Kombi) of holding up the most traffic on the least of the hills - even when they weren't towing anything!

And as far as the handling of a Beetle goes, with an articulated camper attached to the roof with a flimsy bracket - well, one can't even begin to comprehend what it would be like.

The Beetle already had the most dangerous switch from understeer to oversteer on hard cornering, ever designed into one vehicle.
With this exceptionally dangerous habit, that regularly saw Beetles on their back, I'd hate to think what they handled like, with a roof-mounted articulated trailer attached.

I could well imagine. that once the transport authorities saw what the camper was actually attached to, they fortunately declined to register it for road use.
AnswerID: 520271

Follow Up By: Grinner - Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 11:14

Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 11:14
I had a look at that 25 most useless list, and adds for the Microsoft Surface Tablet appeared all over the page. Hmmm.
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Reply By: mikehzz - Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 07:47

Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 07:47
It probably failed because it doesn't have handles for all the people in the car to reach up and help hold it on the roof while in motion. Does it come in a model for convertibles?
AnswerID: 520276

Follow Up By: Road Warrior - Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 11:36

Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 11:36
Yep was available in a convertible version, and it also came with a free lifetime supply of waterproof teabags.
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