Adaptable Vehicle Idea

[SuperTrooper]

Tango Charlie's sketch made me think about adaptable vehicles.



The problem is most states don't permit riding in trailers (9 allow it). What about a vehicle you could connect that would become part of a larger vehicle that you pushed? I saw something like it this summer. A PWC that connects to a larger boat to provide the power. It's called a ShuttleCraft:



So, I've been trying to figure out how a small vehicle (motorcycle or sports car) could dock with a larger vehicle to provide the propulsion.

Ideas?

Question Part 2:

If your state allows riding in trailers, would you put your family in one?

[MetroMPG]

I just spent 5 minutes searching Google for images of a concept city car/minivan combo package that I thought I remembered Chrysler making years back... Couldn't find it!

[Will]

Ohh. I love this idea. As for the safety factor? I see no difference in riding in something like this or in a van or RV

[cfg83]

SuperTrooper -

This sounds similar to these threads :

MetroMPG.com: Electric pusher trailer

My hairbrained hybrid hidea!

The difference is, I think you are seeking greater *design integration*, as seen in the shuttlecraft option.

I think it's hard to translate the shuttlecraft to an auto because boat layouts "push by design" (engine and steering aft).

However, with the advent of a lot of "drive by wire", I think you could have two vehicles connect to each other pretty seamlessly. For instance, let's say the "pusher" is a RWD Pontiac Solstice (fun!). When you needed to have a bigger vehicle, it would be attached to the rear of the "pushee". Maybe it's front drive wheels would be elevated off the ground or have a high quality "lock straight" mechanism.

Here's an example that doesn't raise up the Solstice's front wheels :

Overlap Test Image to line up tires :
vibe_solstice.jpg

Solstice Mule "inside" Vibe "pushee" :
vibe_solstice.02.jpg

In the above picture, the Vibe would have no engine. It would just be a shallow trunk and the steering mechanism.

CarloSW2

[extragoode]

I love this idea with a motorcycle! You're already out in the open/cabin and you could just drive it in and others could ride with you, or you could use just to get out of the rain. Lots of larger bikes have more than enough engine to pull this off. Brakes could be electric and run by a pigtail off the bike (might have to use regen braking also to power all the extras built into the outer shell). How would you steer? This is the only thing I can't figure out.

[Tony Raine]

i like the idea of a FWD, 2 passenger, front "clip". basically just a car from the b-pillar forward. built in jack at the back with a retractable low speed wheel to guide it back into various "back halves" with back wheels to complete the vehicle, depending on what you need that day.

just commuting? lightweight teardrop rear end
family outing? snap on a back end with extra seats
hauling some scrap? snap on a pickup bed
camping? snap on the RV back end.

basically, you would go to a dealer and buy the front half, have it coupled with the back-half of your choosing, and take off. later, additional back-halves can be purchased and delivered to you.

[jamesqf]

As a practical example of a modular people-carrier, consider the motorcycle sidecar.

Or there's this Activity Trailer LLC Home Page for the small car owner who occasionally wants to carry gear/toys. I've thought of something similar for when/if I ever find time to build an electric car, except that part of it would be a range-extending generator.

[metromizer]

Originally Posted by Will

Ohh. I love this idea. As for the safety factor? I see no difference in riding in something like this or in a van or RV

uhhhh.... consider the ball and hitch mechanism a life-line tot he passengers in the aft section.

I think it could be done correctly, just remember there are a lot of trailer towing accidents every year that are a direct result of the couple disconnected from the ball.

Some larger city buses are this extended version, that resemble the sketch. If you've never seen one, they use a 'middle coupler' approach to get more capacity without loosing turning radius, it amounts to a really loooong bus with a hinge in the middle, and an accordian boot as part of the body to keeep the elements out.