popeye

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/t...72.html#agal_0
I saw these idiots on the Santa Ana River trail a couple of weeks ago. First impression the driver cannot see behind him at all. It was really slow with a tow bike in front. They were a hazard to everyone else and later we saw them stalled in the middle of the trail in Santa Ana. Laying down on a trail with fast bikes is not a good idea. I don't expect them to be back, I hope.

terrymorse 

500 pounds, pulled by a bicycle? Ridiculous.

We have a Little Guy trailer for pulling behind the Highlander. About the smallest trailer there is. It weighs ~800 pounds. It is hard to push around by hand.

zandoval 

Hey... They gave it a try. What fun building a little thing mostly useless in real applications but cute enough ta get attention in the real world. I would hope to see them back with version 2, 3 ,4... Who knows?

For me its nice to see a couple of young guys pushing the envelope just for the fun of it.

Allot of people laughed at the first Pop Up tent in the 50's and then embraced them in the 80's.

I don't think many riders will see this version on the Santa Ana River trail in the future...



Just Need A Few More Guys In The Back PLEASE!!!

indyfabz

I tour with a tent. I’ve camped in gusts over 40 mph. Sign me up for this. NOT!


“There's also the issue of aerodynamics and how the camper will act in strong crosswinds, when traveling uphill, or when set up in camp mode, where the smallest mistake or oversight could end up in the whole rig tipping over or collapsing. For such a small camper, this contraption can bring not-so-small problems.“

CliffordK

I've towed 500 lbs. It is very much possible, but a few miles and a few hills and it wipes me out. VERY SLOW moving.

Two people? Is one doing the pedaling, and one napping? I'd go with at least a tandem.

It is entirely possible to install good mirrors on the bike. The Co-op tri-hauler has good mirrors. Plus, it has electric assist.

See the big mirror on the left side....



Or one could build an electronic mirror if one wished.

popeye

I must say it was very nicely done and professional looking.

indyfabz

“Bike campers are widely regarded as an upgrade to bikepacking, where you pack all your camping essentials on your bike and head out for a couple of days and nights. “

“Widely”? I never seen one in all my days of touring.

And people bikepack for more than a couple of days at a time.

As for creature comforts, I enjoy the relative minimalism of bike touring. After my Seattle to Cortez, CO tour I did some car camping with my then GF. We had much more stuff than I was used to. A lot of times we had to search through the car for something we wanted. Give me two racks and four bags and I’m happy.

ARider2

Ya’ gotta’ give ‘em credit for trying and they have great enthusiasm for their project. All it needs is a motor like a pedicab which often haul around quite a bit of weight when loaded with passengers.

Maelochs

There are mini-campers one can haul behind a motorcyle or possibly a bike which are basically the minimum enclosed space needed for two very friendly people to lie down. They are low, egg-shaped and vastly more practical than that ridiculous monstrosity.

A good side-wind and forget it .... they would be on the road, on their side, struggling to move before the next semi arrived.

I can understand the notion "Hey, they tried" but a lot of that also falls under the heading of "Hold my beer ... "

CliffordK

There are pop up tent trailers. Or at least there were at one time.



Much more practical than a mini camp trailer. But, I'm not convinced it is much better than a tent. And, there's no kitchen sink.

veganbikes

I really want the ModyPlast trailer but the company won't return emails, not sure if they have all gotten buried or if they don't sprechen englisch. Currently their website is down but here is an article/post on it: https://hiconsumption.com/modyplast-...utdoor-camper/

The video randomly popped up in a new youtoobs window so I knew not to click on it and give some morons more views but love camping and love trailers. We have been using the Carla Cargo trailer for deliveries to our other stores and customers and such and it is a lot of fun.

Bald Paul

“There's also the issue of aerodynamics and how the camper will act in strong crosswinds, when traveling uphill, or when set up in camp mode, where the smallest mistake or oversight could end up in the whole rig tipping over or collapsing. For such a small camper, this contraption can bring not-so-small problems.“

Never mind the uphill. Can you imagine trying to control that beast on a good descent?

indyfabz

That has come up in the Touring forum a couple of times. Still too heavy for any meaningful distance or hilly terrain even before you add the weight of gear.

aliasfox

Reminds me of that Top Gear episode where Jeremy builds a motorhome on top of a Citroen. That didn't turn out well either.

big john

The 3 story deal with a chandelier in the atrium?

aliasfox

I think Richard had the chandelier, but it was definitely proportioned like a 3-story apartment building.

big john

I remember the thing fell over in the wind while it was parked. That show could be hilarious.

jon c. 

This one does sort of walk that fine line.

rsbob 

The next iteration should be an airstream towed by an e-bike. They should be more aero and far faster.

RB1-luvr

practical or not, I admire it.

ussprinceton

what I want to do w/ my jeep 2door JK