Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I have been toying with the idea of finding an old gutted bug and using that as my trailer. The engine compartment will be the kitchen and the front hood will be storage for bedding and suck. I would remove the gas tank and build a drop in box or replace the gas tank with a water tank of the same size, or close to it. I could put in a sun roof and it already has good lockable doors with roll down windows. What do you think?
I just don't know if the front axle would stay or go. If it goes would the rear axle need to be moved forward?

I don't have any pictures; but I've seen it done. It was quite a few years ago, before digital cameras became so prevalent. The trailer was based either in Pennsylvania or Maryland. I saw it several times in my travels through the northeast in the late 80's. If I remember correctly, they used the rear wheel wells for their axle placement. I don't know what that would do for tongue weight. They had flip down skirts on the front wheel wells for more storage. The galley was in the engine compartment. I think they just used the body on a custom made frame.

I forget exactly how many; but I believe it's 21 bolts and the whole body can be lifted of the stock floorpan intact. (That info comes from when I was building a dune buggy in the early 70's from a 1959 beetle, I don't know about the new beetles). At that point (I was much younger), I could stand inside the shell and lift the whole thing off the ground balanced on my shoulders.

Go for it!! I'd like to see another one on the road someday.

I have seen videos on youtube where a team of 3 or 4 people completely disassemble a bug to nothing in about 5 minutes. They are really simple. I would be towing this trailer with either my 2005 durango or my 1969 bug. It will need to be lite.

Get a ragtop so you can see the stars. And have headroom.

I would think this would make sense with nearly any beetle-size (up to even, say, a Taurus wagon) car if you got the frame/hitch installation done safely and sturdily.

How wide is the interior of a beetle with seats out? I'd think it might sleep better if you put the mattress on, say, a 2x6 platform above the (sealed, please!) floor pan, plus be easier to get in and out.

The floor/pan is shaped like a wedge so the size changes, widest at the back. I measured in front of the front seats and in the floor it is 40 inches and up on the heater channel from the door panels it is 45 inches. The center tunnel would need to be removed and some sheet metel work will need to be done at the back where the area behind the rear seats is elevated a bit but it is totally do-able. The car floor can even double as extra storage with trap doors in the floor of the sleeping area.

I have had the same idea. The bug looks like the perfect size/ shape for a small teardrop style camper. I hope it works out. Post pics when it does.



Brian

I will be a while . $$$ is tight right now so this is on hold before I even really start. Soon though......Very soon

Hi,
you may want to take a look at this.

http://www.vwcampervanblog.com/25-cool- ... amper-van/

towards the bottom of the link there are some great bug conversions.

my favourite is the twin axle, 5th up from the bottom.
best rgds dan.

That tandom is sweet. I like the silver bug but I am not to keen on the axle setup. Maybe something on a flat bed trailer to make it look like it is being trailered.

It seems to me that there would be no need to move the rear axle (on a Bug). By removing the front suspension and fuel tank, etc, there would not be much tongue weight, and just having the front wheels off would work, I think. However, it may look kind of dumb.

My first choice would be to leave all four wheels on and just tow it like a regular car is towed behind a motorhome. I once towed a jeep that way, and it pulled better than any trailer I've ever towed. The problem, I suppose, is with backing up. I don't know how well a four-wheeled vehicle backs up with a tow bar.

I have a 1988 Plymouth minivan that is on its last tank of gas (I can only hope). I have given thought to converting it to a towable camper. I know it sounds trailer trashy to turn trash into a trailer, but if I could convince my wife to let it happen, I'd be on it like flies on poop.

dandan wrote:towards the bottom of the link there are some great bug conversions.

my favourite is the twin axle,

alloffroad wrote:That tandom is sweet. I like the silver bug but I am not to keen on the axle setup. Maybe something on a flat bed trailer to make it look like it is being trailered.

Maybe this is doing things the hard way?? How about chopping the front off, and moving the body to the rear a foot or so (both for better balance and a more "balanced" look), then moving the fender sheetmetal forward, kind of like this:



The new tongue could be tied into the old "tunnel", and the rear suspension left alone. Seems like you'd be fabricating from the back of the existing pan rearwards anyway---foot space below and galley above, like most teardrops?

Anyway, my thoughts/rambling....

I saw one of the pictures in Dan's link was a VW bus, turned around. (headlights to the rear) I guess it would be a lot of work...but a bug would look cool like that as well.

groys02 wrote:Maybe this is doing things the hard way?? How about chopping the front off, and moving the body to the rear a foot or so (both for better balance and a more "balanced" look), then moving the fender sheetmetal forward, kind of like this:



The new tongue could be tied into the old "tunnel", and the rear suspension left alone. Seems like you'd be fabricating from the back of the existing pan rearwards anyway---foot space below and galley above, like most teardrops?

Anyway, my thoughts/rambling....

But But But ~~~~~~~~

The hood area would make the ultimate tongue box !