VW Beetle and 5th wheeler

The roof hitch is attached to the gutters. While it may hold in normal conditions, in an emergency I could see it separating from the roof.

I think it might work if you used a ute with a hitch fixed to a sturdy roll bar

Compare a standard hitch to the one in the video

OzTroopy
The VW roof is extraordinarily strong due to its shape, with trailer brakes fitted I could not see a problem, I have witnessed huge loads put on the bug roof (I was with VW aust for many years from 1968 - 1980)

The mount pictured seems to spread the load over about 30cm area of the gutter, which due to the strength, would seem fine to me.
Cheers Colin.

PS I don't think our various state laws here would see it that way however.

A rear end shunt would however cause the car to be a "write off"

Hey OP & T

No arguements from me over the strength of a VW Beetle roof ... I was referring to the possible slippage of the clamps, under braking etc ... rather than the downward weight factors.

The video highlighted it to me when I realised that the starting position of the vehicle when connected, was at an angle to the caravan ...

As we all know its a lot easier to twist a trailer sideways by hand than what it is to pull or push it.

The initial inertia provided by the twisting action would reduce the strain compared to a standing start with vehicle and van in a line ahead formation.

All rather irrellevant in this day and age anyway because your right ... the rules, regulation and what if brigade would never allow it ... lol

Cheers