Compact camper alternative: New Beetle TDI with hard mounted pop up tent
 

here is the little TDI Beetle with the new CVT Roof Top Tent as I couldn't find a tent trailer small enough that i liked!

http://i40.tinypic.com/2expjsm.jpg

Neat! That looks pretty well thought out with the generous awnings over the window and entrance.

Did you get a picture of the frame without the canvas? Or does it not work that way?

HHOTDI, that's an interesting tent! Do you stow the tent inside for driving, or does it fold up and stay on top? If it stays on top, that will add a lot of drag and frontal area, lowering mpg :(

You could mount that tent on a small utility trailer like those shown on this thread and tow it behind, better mpg...also you wouldn't have that ladder to climb.

It is all one piece and stays together. I really bought it for the top of our Excursion and will post a few pics of it mounted on it as soon as I get it off of the Beetle. Here is another pic of it all closed up and ready for transport. I too have thought of the newly added frontal area and how to combat that. I have been thinking of making a new mount for it to get it down out of the main airstream. I had drawn out a new mounting system using a bike rack, thus mounting it rearward of the roof racks and over the rear window keeping it inline with the airstream. I really like it up off of the ground and using the ladder is still enjoyable. here is the company's website www.Cascadiavehicletents.com. They are in Bend Oregon and have many different models to choose from! The one I purchased is the Mt Rainier model, it will sleep 4 up there and has a load rating of 750lbs! They do make one larger but i didn't need that one and they do make three smaller ones. They even have one mounted on top of a Polaris Razor...way cool!

http://i42.tinypic.com/2ngrc0g.jpg

new CVT areo mounting location
 

Well, i did the mileage test and i went from 48mpg at a steady 70mph down to 38mpg....Oooch! So, what does any good Ecomodder do...Heh! I looked at the Aerotemplate and went to work on an old Bicycle carrier that i have for the Beetle that I rarely ever use. I unbolted the top portion and welded up a nice carrier rack for it. So, now it mounts down out of the AirStream and looks like it will turn in some good MPG numbers. I will be testing it this week and will let everyone know what the results are! Many Blessings, :{)

http://i42.tinypic.com/wail3q.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/2h5703k.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/fxgj0p.jpg

i'm digging the rack, well done!

Seriously, that's awesome. What will you think if your gas mileage goes up?

I'm curious about how you did the brackets on the C-pillars, but the only way I see to improve it would be if the vertical member was an electric screw jack.

Can you feel the weight re-distribution out on the highway?

Thanks all, I appreciate the comments. I don't mean to highjack the thread... I simply made 1/8" plate for the C pillar brackets and used to nice/large stainless screws to attach each of them. Five screws each side with the brackets bent outward as they exit the hatch so the hatch will open/close with them still on. I attempted to design the mounting rack so the hatch would still open, but that placed the CVT tent too far back. There is no noticeable change in the drivieability/handling characteristics, even at freeway speeds. You do have to watch out for Tail-Swing though when you maneuver in and out of tight parking spaces! In the one picture, you can see where I placed a block of wood under the hitch for stabilization when the CVT Tent is set up for use. That cured the vehicle's suspension softness and rocking/sideways motion almost completely. easy to do too. I spent about $25.00 in steel tubing and $40.00 in wal*mart Textured rattle-can paint. The donor 2place bike rack was a craig's list find for $25.00 and fit nicely. The upper portion of the rack simply unbolts and I was able to use the rest for the new CVT Hitch rack! if someone knows how to start a new thread, i'll post pictures of the build and answer any questions you/they might have and help as I can with others who may be interested if they wish. We love the CVT Rooftop Tent, they are so comfortable...and pretty cool too! thanks again, Mike :{)

Good camper alternative.
Be sure to attach a red flag or orange ribbon to the back, pretty much every state requires anything that protrudes from the rear of the vehicle to be flagged.

HHOTDI: mind if I split your project into a new thread? It's definitely threadworthy, especially compared to version 1.0 (on the roof)!