I came across this on Facebook and it may be of interest to the Solos. starting out On less the 10K$'s dollars. Elio Motors.com is coming out with a micro-vehicle in 2015 and taking orders now. The cost $6800.00 for an enclosed vehicle that is based on the old Isetta; a three wheeled car with the 2 wheels in the front and one in the back; kind of a reversed three-wheeled motorcycle with an enclosure!

   If you bought a motorcyle popup camper and supplies; the 10K looks doable. If you want a tag-a-long; the scamper or Casita might be light enough to pull; but add roughly 5-10K$ depending on if you want new or used.

   I tried to post pictures and the webpage; but I downloaded from the FB page and it went to documents.

Here is a LINK to an album of Elio prototype pictures I took this summer in Denver. There are comments on the pictures. IF they ever build them I'll likely get one. They have an innovative product with an innovative sales strategy. But IMO there is only a 50/50 chance they will get them to market. For many reasons.

PIEERE wrote:

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  I came across this on Facebook and it may be of interest to the Solos. starting out On less the 10K$'s dollars. Elio Motors.com is coming out with a micro-vehicle in 2015 and taking orders now. The cost $6800.00 for an enclosed vehicle that is based on the old Isetta; a three wheeled car with the 2 wheels in the front and one in the back; kind of a reversed three-wheeled motorcycle with an enclosure!

   If you bought a motorcyle popup camper and supplies; the 10K looks doable. If you want a tag-a-long; the scamper or Casita might be light enough to pull; but add roughly 5-10K$ depending on if you want new or used.

   I tried to post pictures and the webpage; but I downloaded from the FB page and it went to documents.

 

-- Edited by PIEERE on Tuesday 28th of January 2014 11:49:24 AM

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Full timing in a pop up camper would get old fast I would think.

Mark

I can't find any data regarding what the Elio could tow.  However, over on one of the forums for Elio owners or aficionados, it was mentioned that one wouldn't want the trailer weight to be much over 400 lbs.  However, keep in mind that even that small of a trailer is going to have all the tongue weight on the single rear wheel.  Having towed farm trailers that exceeded the "recommended" weights, a trailer that is heavy enough can begin to cause fishtailing in the tow vehicle, especially in a cross wind.

A 13-foot Scamp TT weighs between 1200 to 1500 lbs, according to their website.  The 13-footer appears to be the smallest trailer they sell.  A 13-foot Casita Patriot appears to be about 1880 lbs of dry weight.

Terry

I would agree with the solo camper idea though it would be a challenge for full timing for any but the diehards. To me, its real value for RVers would be as a runabout but I'd be nervous towing one. It would belong on/in a trailer, in a toy hauler or on the tow vehicle like some with smart cars on the deck of an HDT.  Jack, you'd have to modify your truck or the ramps to get it up on the deck. I think you'd be better off with the smart car.  JMHO.

Brian

I have been following this development for over a year. If it ever is produced, which is doubtful, then it would be ideal for local transportation or touring an area after one arrives at one's destination (possibly carried in the back of toy hauler or on a truck bed) rather than a TV. Though if one is on a strict budget and wants to do the tourist thing anything is possible. My ex-wife and I used to motorcycle tour all over the US, for weeks at a time, on a 1974 model CB-750K4 Honda motorcycle, complete with: camping gear, tent, 2 sleeping bags, tools, extra clothes, etc. with no trailer at all. If I had an Elio and something like this: http://www.wikco.com/timeout.html I would have thought I died and went to heaven.

Being an Aliner owner, I'd probably choose something like this to tow behind an Elio, like this smart car owner did.



That would be sorta tough to full time in, even for me. I towed my slightly bigger (1,700lb loaded) fully featured Aliner LXE (the one in my sig) for years behind a 4 cyl car. Nevertheless, it would take a different sort of individual to full-time in one - more akin to a van dweller.

Those considering such a spartan, minimalistic lifestyle should look here: http://www.cheaprvliving.com/ for some great low-cost FTing tips.

Chip

Edit by moderator: Removed video clip because it doesn't meet the rules for video being embedded.  Policy Regarding Embedded Video Clips  Terry

Sushidog wrote:

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...Being an Aliner owner, I'd probably choose something like this to tow behind an Elio, like this smart car owner did.... 

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 I'll bet those trailer tires are speed rated to only 45MPH. I also don't think the tranny in a smart car would be up for the task of towing for anything but flatland at best and GCVWR(if it even has such a rating) has to be in serious jeopardy with any kind of trailer behind, or so I would think.

Alites weigh in at under 450 lbs. I don't know about the Alite tires as they do look small, but my Aliner's 13" wheels and tires are rated at 65 mph, though I've towed it all day at 70-75 with no problems at all. I just bump the tire presure up 10 lbs as Goodyear recommends when exceeding the 65 mph ST speed rating on their Marathons when driving between 66 and 75 mph. https://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/goodyear/Marathon_Special_Trailer_Applications.pdf

Towing over 75 mph, well you're on your own! In fact, I don't think I would go 75 mph in a smart car even without pulling a trailer.

So you think this guy is overloaded? The dealer said it would do just fine!

And this guy:

Well the dealer said that Airstreams were the easiest towing trailer in the world. He didn't say anything about stopping though.   

 Chip

Jack Mayer wrote:

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Here is a LINK to an album of Elio prototype pictures I took this summer in Denver. There are comments on the pictures. IF they ever build them I'll likely get one. They have an innovative product with an innovative sales strategy. But IMO there is only a 50/50 chance they will get them to market. For many reasons.

-- Edited by Jack Mayer on Tuesday 28th of January 2014 02:58:40 PM

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 If you like the Elio you will like it's ancient predecessor too: 'Messerschmitt Kabinenroller', a german microcar built in the 50's and 60's. Just google or wiki it. Enjoy!

for example: http://www.microcarmuseum.com/tour/messerschmitt-kr175.html

In 1952, Prof. Willy Messerschmitt needed a project to keep his RSM division busy, and a timely visit by his former employee Fritz Fend with a concept for a tandem two-seat vehicle resulted in a deal being struck. By the summer of 1952 a prototype was ready. Called Fend Kabinenroller FK-150, it included all the elements of the first production Messerschmitts except for the plexi dome made up of several pieces, and the 150cc motor.

Production began in February 1953, but early feedback indicated that the car was far from perfect: the suspension was very hard, it was noisy and rattled, and the hand clutch didn't come off well in practice. By June of 1953 some 70 modifications had been made.

These early examples are very rare, and this is one, with its complicated rear suspension, hand clutch, open chain and narrow rear seat

Manufacturer: Regensburger Stahl- und Maschinenbau, Regensburg, Germany

PIEERE:  Two thumbs up!  I don't see why it couldn't handle a motorcycle camper.  On the Lee-sure Lite, the tongue weight is 23 lbs.  Maybe a home-built teardrop as in the forum where I belong, people are building them out of the insulative board, the pink or blue wall board type and covering with cloth.  In my one of my FB groups, there are people full-timing in tents and having a great time.  There really is some growth in the minimalist lifestyle, the "less is more".  One would need to be psyched for the challenge and adventure of it.  Also, you can really lighten your load by using backpacking equipment.  So much can be accomplished IF you have the drive to do it!

Another choice, one of my favorites:  http://www.amazon.com/Kamp-Rite-Bushtrekka-Bicycle-Trailer-Oversize/dp/B002KKBT9Y/ref=sr_1_8?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1407677203&sr=1-8&keywords=bicycle+camper

My 3rd "edit" since I am compassionate about "budget".  I noticed this thread got over 1000 hits so there are people intrigued by the idea of "modes" for under $10,000 and if someone is reading this and serious, look at the posts by Lucky Mike because they will be very helpful as far as getting a rig and getting out there.  It can be done and people are doing it.  If what you have defines you, you might not be happy with such a rig but if you just want to live and have fun and don't give a darn about keeping up with the Joneses..............  Our second RV was an old motorhome, a Winnebago, and we got it in the late 80's with nearly 100,000 miles on it and we had it all over the country from FL to AZ to KS and back and the day we brought it home, we thought we died and went to heaven!  Husband lived in it twice while attending school for a few months at a time.

-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Sunday 10th of August 2014 07:08:32 AM

-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Sunday 10th of August 2014 07:29:04 AM

We have a smart car, and DH was looking at this for a 2nd vehicle.  I am not sure what I think.  They are classified as motorcycles so I would have to get a motorcycle license.  We drive our smart car on the interstate all the time.  It handles great at 75 unless we are having some Kansas wind.