Trailers

[Mark Tomlinson]

I thought I'd start a thread just for trailers. It's a particular hot button for me and seems to be a hot topic over at FlyTheRoad.com as well.

Why am I so hot about trailers? Because I will need one, damn it! Seriously, I intend for my V1 to serve two purposes.

Every day vehicle for commuting and shopping.
Road trip vehicle for my wife and I.

The lack of cargo space (even with a roof rack) poses some serious challenges on both those points. Can you imagine strapping bags of frozen food to the roof? Even with a trailer we might have to go to the warehouse club on one trip and the grocery store on another. But I might enjoy it in a V1!

So what am I looking for?

Styled and painted to match the vehicle.
Insulated with a solar powered vent to keep it from cooking the ice cream.
Aerodynamic; tear drop shaped so as to not reduce mileage too much.
Short enough that I can fit in a conventional stall (might not be possible).
Subcontracted to a company with motorcycle and trike trailer experience.
Available through Venture Vehicles at the time of purchase (so I can get back to Illinois).

What don't I want? Well, I really want it all. But if I have to strike things from the list for practical reasons, here's where I'd start.

Don't need a full climate control system in the trailer. Seems like it would be expensive, take up too much space, and drain battery power unless it came with a fold out solar array.
Don't need a range extender generator. It would take up too much space, and I intend to buy the PHEV version of the V1 anyway.

That's my opinion. Have at it.

[Mark Tomlinson]

Oh, I also want a mini horse trailer to haul my Rottweiler mix around in. Damn, I think that would be funny!

[rogwild]

Here is a site that has many MC trailer manufacturers (don't know how current):
http://aerobourne.com/motorcycletrailerindex9.htm
Mark here is the trailer that I am seriously considering (a Harley Dealer just north of LA is a dealer and I can pick it up there) mainly for camping on the return 'Flight Home' (should be able to fit a bunch of groceries inside):
http://www.american-legend.com/models/Slipstream_camper.asp
For your Rottie/mix:
http://www.wagstrailers.com/pet_trailer.asp

[MikeB]

I've got a Uni-go trailer for my SilverWing. It's very small and aerodynamic, and looks pretty sweet.

Check this out:
http://lh4.google.com/mikeboni/Rym3yoW4iDI/AAAAAAAAAj0/f_19gAFD8cw/s400/IMG_0189.jpg
http://lh4.google.com/mikeboni/Rym31oW4iEI/AAAAAAAAAj8/mqMoyBAf6Dw/s400/rearq.jpg

It's got enough space for a soft-sided cooler and a duffle bag of clothing, or a pretty good load of camping equipment. In fact, it's so small, you can detach it from the bike and pull it into your motel room as a rolling suitcase.

I may sell this particular one with the scooter, since they are color-matched, but it's also tempting to keep it for use behind my V1.


P.S. I think I've got embedded images figured out. ;)

[rogwild]

I'm not sure what type of limits V.V. will be shooting for (they probably are not sure either, until they have a prototype built); but I would think that a payload (trailer + load) of 500# and a tongue weight of <50# should meet most needs. Any comments?
Would love to be able to pull one of these:
The Craig Cat boat (490# + trailer ?#), NOT the Smart Car.

[AZEqualizer]

I was up at the Petrified forest a couple of years ago and saw a retired couple on a GoldWing that had a small poptent trailer not much bigger than your Uni-go Mike. It was sweet!!

[Mark Tomlinson]

For your Rottie/mix:
http://www.wagstrailers.com/pet_trailer.asp

So my wife and I were talking about the Venture One and the need for a trailer when I showed her the post. First the regular trailers, and she was busy nodding and agreeing for the need.

Then I showed her the WagsTrailers. She burst right out laughing! Knee-slapping sort of laughing - I mean that; she slapped her knee. "Oh, god!", she said, "It's perfect. We have to get one. We have to!"

So, the V1 better come with a trailer hitch, because I think she's sold.

[Mark Tomlinson]

I guess it's not really the trailer I'm looking for in the V1. It'd be nice if I could get an exact match to the color and styling, but the bottom line is there are options.

What I really want is a trailer hitch.

Sure I could weld on my own class I hitch and rewire the taillights - but I'd really hate to modify my brand new V1. And if I stopped by a motorcycle dealership to buy a trailer and hitch, they'd look at the back end of the V1 and refuse to touch it.

No, I'd much rather the V1s come with a towing package. I don't care if it's factory installed or installed at the dealership, as long as I can drive off the lot knowing I have a warrantied hitch. I think, because of the nature of the vehicle, a towing package will be so popular it could come as standard equipment.

[rogwild]

Mark; don't worry, Ian has already recognized the demand, and stated that they will definately pursue the hitch idea. Unfortunately we will have to wait until the prototypes are built for 'evaluation' of a hitch idea. The 'payload' and 'tongue weight' will probably be fairly low (hopefully; 500# & 25#), and perhaps will require an additional 'programed' mode besides Economy, Normal, Sport perhaps a "Haul" mode. I think it should really be a 'standard' feature of the V-1 (but optional is OK) since it would add so much versatility.

[Miracleman89]

I think the one I like best is this place.

http://www.carreplicatrailers.com/index.html

[rogwild]

Great concept, and cool pictures on the site. I wonder what a HUMMER trailer would look like, behind a V-1?:confused:

[Miracleman89]

See I was wondering if they could make one that looked like a small V1? You know a mini-me kinda thing.

[rogwild]

See I was wondering if they could make one that looked like a small V1? You know a mini-me kinda thing.

Cute, but not much storage, perhaps a 'Space Shuttle' would be more appropriate.=D

[Miracleman89]

that's not a bad idea! Maybe some kind of fighter jet would be cool too!

[Billy]

The biggest problem I think would be the extra weight/drag. I just hope another 500lbs wouldn't hurt the motors or batteries. I'd be for one also!

[rogwild]

Yep, Billy, the 'trailer pulling' is a CONCEPT that would have to be tested AND verified for the V-1. I'm sure there would be some 'penalty' on performance/economy, but if it is possible it would add a lot of versatility, and make it closer to a viable 'second car'.
Ian said that they would definately look into and evaluate the 'trailer option'. But first they have to get just a running prototype to evaluate. Long road ahead still!

[Scurvy]

Since we will have a nice series hybrid motor, why not put a small electric motor/generator on the trailer itself to lessen the strain of accelerating/decelerating? It can be powered by a hookup to the V1, which can also run the lights, ventilation fan, and such. I even recall seeing a trailer a while back that steers itself so backing up and cornering is much easier and natural. Running the steering off the data communication from the main vehicle would be even better, especially at high speeds. Additionally, throw some batteries in for longer EV range, regenerative braking gain, and less strain on the main engine.

On a side tangent, I’d love to have a 120V AC outlet somewhere on the vehicle. Nothing too powerful, but it’d be nice for picnics, parties, camping, long road trips, and the like. It would run off the hybrid motor, so the batteries won’t drain (hopefully) like a normal car+inverter.

[MarkH]

Since the rear power pod frame and body work will have already been figured out, how hard would it be for VV to put a trailer hitch where the front tilt attachment point would normally be? They could put a lid on it, finish off the interior and call it a trailer. It would match the vehicle and could even be painted to match the vehicle it will be towed behind.

Hey CF, Can you Photochop something like this to show everyone?

Opinions?

[RAN]

MarkH, that's not a bad idea!

[Baja_Traveler]

Actually - thats an awesome idea since all the tooling for the pod shell would be done. It would really decrease the tooling costs to get it on the road.

Maybe if the trailer takes too long to come online you could order an extra pod shell and build one yourself. :cool:

[rogwild]

That sounds about what Vv is proposing, except 'extending' the Power Pod design to give a bit more storage room.

[CelticFlyer]

Since the rear power pod frame and body work will have already been figured out, how hard would it be for VV to put a trailer hitch where the front tilt attachment point would normally be? They could put a lid on it, finish off the interior and call it a trailer. It would match the vehicle and could even be painted to match the vehicle it will be towed behind.

Hey CF, Can you Photochop something like this to show everyone?

Opinions?

VV beat me to it! Nice renderings. I doubt I could do better. At least at this stage. I like the direction they're heading. ;)

[MarkH]

Doh! (We need a smiley doing the V8 open handed forehead bang)

You would think with all the Pics of this thing I have on my laptop I would have seen this trailer rendering from VV.

Since the one in the render looks a bit extended (which is good) I wonder if a shortened one (not extended, just the power pod dimensions) would look as good?

[CelticFlyer]

I couldn't say. I guess it's a matter of personal preference. I don't think the longer trailer would be an issue with regard to fitting it in a standard parking space; the V1 itself is very small (about the size of a Mini Cooper).

A friend of mine said it looks as though the engine pod is a small car that slammed into the back of the V1's passenger pod! :LOL:

[Tim Hodgetts]

Mark Tomlinson,

When I worked for Carver, back in 2003/4, I asked about the trailer idea and found some interesting designs for people to use (http://www.sarasotatrailers.com/slingshot.htm) for themselves if Carver didn't produce them. Generally, it was laughed at and I got the answer "Would you put a trailer on a Ferrari?"

I thought that was really missing the point on what a trailer offered to users, in terms of touring capability. This shouldn't have been a surprise given that the idea of rear area storage or a mini hatchback was also laughed at.

Glad to see that Ian and the team are pushing the envelope in directions that are sensible but where the customers want to go.

[rogwild]

This is the trailer that I'm considering for my cross-country trek. There is a dealer right in LA at a Harley Dealership. Hook-up and head back to the East Coast!
http://tinyurl.com/22mupd

[Mark Tomlinson]

Mark Tomlinson,

When I worked for Carver, back in 2003/4, I asked about the trailer idea and found some interesting designs for people to use (http://www.sarasotatrailers.com/slingshot.htm) for themselves if Carver didn't produce them. Generally, it was laughed at and I got the answer "Would you put a trailer on a Ferrari?"

I thought that was really missing the point on what a trailer offered to users, in terms of touring capability. This shouldn't have been a surprise given that the idea of rear area storage or a mini hatchback was also laughed at.

Glad to see that Ian and the team are pushing the envelope in directions that are sensible but where the customers want to go.I've got to laugh. I know what you are talking about. With 30 years in computers and networking, I've fallen into the 'vision trap' many times. Ideas are like children, you nurture them and watch them grow - but at some point you have to let go of them. Many entrepreneurs can't do that. They have a vision and stay connected to it, sometimes suffocating it.

I think licensing the tilting mechanism was the smartest thing they could do. That way they can stay focused on what they want to do, perhaps becoming an engineering shop like Lotus. Let someone else stick a trailer on the thing.

[Hardtime11]

I am still sold on the Tailwind (http://www.tailwindtrailers.com). They are a bit pricey but I also plan on towing it behind my other vehicles. With 24-cubic foot of storage (http://www.tailwindtrailers.com/features.htm) it sort of blows everything else out of the water not to mention it's suspension (http://www.tailwindtrailers.com/engineering.htm).

Either that and/or I will be building a storage pod onto the trailer of a CraigCat (http://www.craigcat.com/) and carrying it all at the same time. You know the tent/clothes carrier with the water escape for really seeing the continent at a low cost. The perfect retirement vehicle combination for those that plan that far ahead. :-)

These are just the two ideas I have been pondering since the beginning.

Here is a good quick list of Motorcycle trailers: http://aerobourne.com/motorcycletrailerindex9.htm

[RawNRG]

If they do decide to make a trailer I would like to see a spot on the lid to mount the removable portion of the roof. This way you would have a place to put it while your on the road. It would also provide a nice spot to store the roof at your house if you know it's going to be a nice day. What do all of you think?

Raw

[Firedawg]

Yeah I think that would be a great idea. Would be a must for cross country and hitting a rain storm. You would need to have the roof piece available in a pinch.

[Ronzo]

You could always have a soft Tonneau Cover type of roof piece for the OOPs the weather changed and I don't have the panel with me because I needed the space.

[RawNRG]

That would work for short trips around town and such, but if your taking a trip, you want the hard top with you. Thus the space on top of the trailer works perfectly.