the_busman_chronicles

trailer it

categories: this old bus, campmobile

We had our first camper adventure with two kids (and all their gear) last weekend. Buddy the Bus is starting to get a little crowded. We only went for 3 days, but the back was packed so high I could barely see out the rear view window. So even though the Westfalia seats 4, it clearly doesn’t hold all their gear. What’s a bus owner to do?

I’ve seen many Westies with roof racks, but getting your gear up there is an impossibility for those who are height or upper body strength challenged. Since a Volkswagen Bus is pretty much shaped like a flying brick (some say a loaf of bread), it makes sense to start looking at trailers. Stock aircooled VWs aren’t know for their speed or torque, but have no problem pulling some weight - good gearing I guess. I’ve flat towed Karmella with Buddy, without issue, but I wouldn’t try towing a large caravan trailer.

I found a great thread on TheSamba about trailers. It makes sense, your bus created huge “airwake”, so putting your toys back there wouldn’t create any extra drag. There’s some cool old mini trailers that would match the vintage of Buddy, but finding a 30 year old trailer that’s not rusted out will be a “quest”. My favourite is the Colman Versa trailer. Motorcycle trailers also seem to be a popular choice because of their light weight and size, but can be too small and can’t really accommodate bikes, canoes or kayaks.

Then I found the SportsRig. This would be perfect, except one caveat - the $2000 price. That’s a lot of dough for a trailing I might use 3-4 times a year. Rack and Roll also makes something similar, but tis the price. Both units would let me use my Thule roof “coffin” box on their cross bars and standard roof rack mounting hardware for bikes, etc in the future. They’re light weight, easy to store in the winter and super versatile.

Maybe the micro-trailer used market is where I need to be looking. The SportsRig is in my sights, just not my wallet. Suggestions, comments, donations of a micro-trailer are always welcome.