Building the Volkshauler

[Two Glove Boxes]

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1951 Split Standard Hoffman Build

1960 Dove Blue Double Cab Patina Build

Two Glove Boxes

DLK

[Chip]

[Gregory Campbell]

[chrisflstf]

This is a pretty cool Vw hauler from Averres, few years ago

https://www.facebook.com/radvdubs/photos/a.110030393821213/113852420105677/

[Gregory Campbell]

Back to the Volkshauler build. Once I had the truck I had to decide some of the basic design elements. The two biggest aspects were whether it should be a ramp deck, flat deck, or a combo (flat deck with ramp at tail) My primary considerations were practicality of operation, aesthetics and easy loading. As mentioned earlier I went with tandem axle for aesthetics and load rating of low profile tires.

The deck with a kink in it would not work because low rider cars couldn't clear the bump. I went with a ramp deck for ease of loading, the added challenge, and because its much more unusual.

Just in case you guys thought this is all just a concept here is a couple progress pictures.

This is just before starting.

This is with every nut and bolt removed.

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'62 Volkshauler (current project)
'57 Ghia, Porschized Rally Car (future project)
'67 Double Cab, Porschwagen
bunch of other old Porsches

[squareweave]

I'm looking forward to watching this come together and hopefully seeing it in person as well. I've seen the Porschewagen over the years and has have always admired it. I'm in White Rock, used to cycle with Geordie. I'm sure with your past project knowledge this is going to be something special.

Rich

[peecee69]

[vwuberalles]

What a cool project, I can't wait to see how this shapes up! Maybe you can put airbags on it that'd let you squat the rear end and raise the front to make loading easier?
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1973 Superbeetle: 1st car, owned since age 12. Update thread --> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9919140#9919140
1967 Kombi: Owned since age 17, Dad's retirement project.
1966 Beetle: My new project. (SOLD) Build thread--> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=678040

[Manfred58sc]

Been there, done that. Tractor supply makes some great fold down ramps that can handle the weight for about $600. You will encounter real structural problems attempting a ramp style.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=2086965
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Fat chick owner/operator

[panel]

That's cool !

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My '65-Subaru EJ20 Turbo conversion

[Gregory Campbell]

[Gregory Campbell]

[Gregory Campbell]

[Gregory Campbell]

There have been many single cab car haulers built over the years. And many configurations. This one is my favourite.

There has also been many very interesting car haulers based on other vehicles. These are my favourites.

My plan is to take the best design aspects from each of these and create the most practical and stylish car hauler I can. Something that would look like it came out of the Volkswagen Factory to haul their race cars (if there was such a thing) in the early sixties.
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'62 Volkshauler (current project)
'57 Ghia, Porschized Rally Car (future project)
'67 Double Cab, Porschwagen
bunch of other old Porsches

[Manfred58sc]

I know Porsche built 5 versions the late 50's. If I had the money and talent a hydraulic "slider" would have been the best. That would still allow engine access.
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Fat chick owner/operator

[busdaddy]

The car's not heavy, use long aluminum ramps and conscript a couple of bystanders to lift the ends of the ramps when the car approaches the spot where it hangs up, keep it simple.

Although the mid engine suggestion has merit, better weight distibution when loaded, unless you load the car ass end first, then a rear engine truck won't matter.
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Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

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[mandraks]

i like solving problems like these.

clearly. the higher you have to lift the towed vehicle the more awkward all this gets. So, hear me out.

lose the RGBs. use a straight axle setup, BUT drop the torsion tube the same amount as the RGB. This will put the transmission and engine at the same distance from the road as a beetle transmission and engine, WITHOUT lowering the actual bus.

Now you have several extra inches above the engine that you can lower the deck. All this while still using "stock" VW parts.

I think with a type 3 or type 4 engine you could go seriously low with the deck.

Engine access could be through the deck, similar to the engine hatch in the later buses or in the Type 3.

Now you can still dump the air out of the suspension.
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regards

Uli

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'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel

[Gregory Campbell]

Thanks for your thoughts mandrake, busdaddy, and manfred. Its really great to have so many concepts to work with.

The slider deck obviously works on many trucks but I think the added weight of the deck itself, the hydraulics and the reinforcement of the existing deck is a detriment.

I want to be able to load the car myself. With a max capacity of 2500 lbs. Long ramps are awkward, but they are simple. As mentioned earlier the other problem with a flat deck and long ramps is the kink at the back edge of the deck. Unless the ramps are really really long a low ground clearance vehicle will not clear this.

With the engine on the front axle it works out that the ramp deck is installed to just clear the fan shroud and to just clear the top of the rear fender liner.

I do like the idea of lowering the entire deck to the top of the fenderwells. The problem with that idea is that the will be virtually no storage under the deck.

The ride height of the truck will be about 4" lower than stock.

So far no one has asked about the rear axle design. I plan to use a stock split bus set-up converted to IRS....but backwards! The torsion tube will be behind the axle. I got the idea from Porsche #1 so it is not too abstract!

Here is a picture update of my progress.

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'62 Volkshauler (current project)
'57 Ghia, Porschized Rally Car (future project)
'67 Double Cab, Porschwagen
bunch of other old Porsches

[vwuberalles]

You could make ramps that fold in half so it's easier to deal with transporting them.
_________________
1973 Superbeetle: 1st car, owned since age 12. Update thread --> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9919140#9919140
1967 Kombi: Owned since age 17, Dad's retirement project.
1966 Beetle: My new project. (SOLD) Build thread--> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=678040

[djfordmanjack]

you may want to check out this topic on flat type 3 engine in bus.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=763221

imagine how low you can go with a mid engine flat 4. you can also chop the wheel wells when using low profile tires, even when the truck is lowered.
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