These were very common when I was a kid, used just like this, as a vacation baggage hauler. They attached to the rear bumper at two places, and the single wheel was free to rotate as needed when going around a corner, like the casters on a grocery cart. The huge advantage was no fishtailing or jackknifing and backing up became a non-issue. The single wheel just swung around and followed however the car/trailer combo. Most of the ones I remember were a bit smaller than this one.
Haven’t seen one in years. You?
Update: they do still make and sell them.
They even make larger ones for trucks and RVs with dual swiveling wheels. They attach to a hitch receiver. No sway, fishtailing or jackknifing. They can even be mounted on the back of those big fifth wheel trailer.
Here’s a video of a VW with one.
I’m 62 and have never seen such a thing, but it looks effective!
For family vacations, we used a fully-packed 1966 Buick LeSabre with a massive trunk, AND towed a U-Haul for the tent and beach and camping equipment.
I’ve never seen one of these, though I can imagine it would come in quite handy. I still remember the roof rack on our ‘61 VW.
The only ones Ive seen were towed behind VW’s, like this one.
Great, another accessory. Just in case you don’t have enough storage space in your roof rack, and your wicker package tray, and your decklid rack.
I have only the vaguest childhood memories of these—a reminder of when bumpers were stout, and firmly connected to frame, and a clamp-on hitch was sufficient.
This from a 1930 Popular Mechanics (who knows if it’s the very first commercial sale of such a thing); $135.00, says the annotation:
Lighter-duty model, 1947 (also PM):
And here’s March, 1917:
1935:
Wow. Looks unstable. Don’t remember seeing these before and I’m turning 62 in a couple months.
Unstable? Quite the opposite. It’s attached to the car in two places, so it’s like an extension of the car, and thus cannot tip or fishtail. That’s a key feature: it’s drastically more stable than a regular trailer.
Never seen one, but is that where the term comes from? It never made any sense to me in the modern way it’s used.
I don’t know. I may be wrong in using it for these. “One wheel trailer” may be the correct term.
“Fifth wheel” is a trucker term for the thing a semi trailer rests and turns on, which I’m sure you know.
I did know that’s what it’s called (or rather what it describes) but never knew why. It’s not a wheel, it could just as easily be called the “grease platform”, or the “platter” or just “Bob” for all the sense it makes (to me).
I think we’re gonna need a judge’s ruling on this. Where are KiwiBryce and JohannesDutch when we need them? And why don’t be have one of them from this continent?
In doing a bit of Googling, “single wheel trailer” is the right term. And they still make them. See my other comments.
Turns out they still make and sell them. It’s a one-wheel trailer and it attaches to the receiver. Oh, it’s for ATVs though, not for the road.
https://www.shop.com/Swisher+18781+Trail+Mule-1413216537-p+.xhtml?sourceid=298&catargetid=120179650032524995&cadevice=c&gclid=CjwKCAiA0uLgBRABEiwAecFnk5XFdo0eF9ZlIgiApvmpb1ieON6tVwJDQ4SudNERhKUrmUHbmk3cghoCKzYQAvD_BwE
Here we go, the Swivelwheel Eco ($995)
http://www.cruiserlift.com/swivelwheel-eco
Easier than ever, as it just attaches to the hitch receiver. I should get one for my xB.
I’ve never seen one of those before. Seems very clever and stable. I wonder how many of those Lincoln pickup owners would get one of those so that nothing has to go in the bed because it might get dirty. Pish-posh, y’all.
As with small utility trailers though, I’ve got to wonder:
How does that dinky little tire fare at 85 MPH?
My dad had one when I was a kid. Two brackets welded to the frame (when cars had frames). Used it to haul his hunting dog box when he went hunting. Worked great.
I saw at least one of these on the road in the Canadian Rockies this past summer. In my observation more Canadians than Americans utilize a utility trailer for luggage on big trips. Americans tend to buy the biggest vehicle even if they don’t use the capacity very often.
It is true that some Americans buy too much vehicle but I would also point out the popularity of aerodynamic rooftop storage pods, especially on mnivans and hatchbacks (seems to be most popular with owners of Impreza and Outback variants). These are far more economical alternatives although they do have their own tradeoffs.
BTW I enjoy your Law Blog.
They have a dual wheel version too, for bigger weights. These can also be attached to a real fifth wheel trailer.
I’ve never seen one of these in real life. And didn’t know they existed util this post (and I’m 62).
I guess I’ve led a sheltered life! I don’t recall ever seeing one of these (and I’m 65).
I researched these a bit when I was building my micro-camper. One potential benefit is that in certain states these are considered to be an addition to the vehicle and NOT a trailer, meaning you don’t need to plate them.
The ones that attach to a standard receiver hitch can put a twisting/torsional load on the hitch, which they are not designed to withstand.
If you have a flat tire en route, it’s a bit of a challenge to change a tire.
In the end, I wound up building my micro camper on a conventional trailer.
My family vacations we just headed to my grandparents and stayed with them.
Most of those trips were in the family pick up with a camper or later in the compact wagon. We never towed anything. So these are new to me.
If it’s easier than backing a normal trailer sign me up
I saw one attached to a UTV (I think that’s what they are called the ones that look like an off road golf cart) on a TV show. I thought it was homemade.
I’ve not only never seen one, until now I’d never even heard of the idea. Looks pretty neat, though. Easy way to have a trailer, though attaching anything to the bumper of a modern car might not be so easy. No separate bumpers. If you have to install a trailer hitch to use one, that kind of takes away a lot of the simplicity appeal.
I am going to add to those who have not seen or heard of these. I have been driving for 41 years, averaging 30-35,000 km per year, mostly highway and have never seen one. I have seen the platforms on the back of vehicles but they didn’t have the wheel(s) for support. Makes a lot of sense though, especially with the 2 point attachment at the vehicle. Thanks for sharing!
I’m 62 and have only seen these pulled by motorcycles (rarely) or by bicycles (quite common). The most popular bicycle version is the Bob trailer, far more suitable for pulling behind a single-track vehicle than a two-wheeled trailer.
To chime in with everyone else, I’m 40 and have never seen such a thing. Attaching to 2 points would basically make it extend your wheelbase?
I’m 68 and have hazy recollections of seeing these as a young kid. Not too common though.
I can’t remember seeing one in decades but do remember seeing them ocassionally in the 70’s. I think the proliferation of non metal bumpers hurt their popularity as the ones I remember clamped/strapped to the bumper.
My aunt and uncle pulled a smaller one with their 65 Mustang ,mid 60s to early 70s. I do recall seeing others in use. Can’t recall when, decades perhaps. The opening shot and title where a nice memory jog of a childhood memory. I’m 58 now.
When I saw the photo of single wheel attachment, I thought of the common issue with shopping carts…
I will join the ranks of those who have never seen one, or if I did once upon a time, did not pay attention to it.
Sears sold ’em.
I remember my dad telling me about single wheel trailers back when I was a kid in the 60’s. He was from up north, and I think they were more common up there than here in the mid-south as it wasn’t till later that I finally saw one, and they had not been a common sight around here. In recent years I’ve spotted more and more of these on the road, so apparantly with modern technologies and materials, they are gaining favor.
I’ve seen them being pulled by motorcycles, specially built for motorcycles, and usually with Canadian registration. Canada has some serious hard-core bikers.
Add me to the list of those who never saw one in use, but dang if they don’t seem to be a perfect idea for those who need a trailer for limited usage. The fact that it is permanently attached and does not have the associated driving challenges one faces when using a regular trailer, it makes sense for most light hauling applications. I wouldn’t use it for anything heavy, but for small loads that exceed the capacity of the vehicle, they are a good solution.
Single wheel trailers appear to have migrated to two wheeled vehicles. The BOB bicycle cargo trailer and its imitators are quite common and I also see a lot of single wheel trailers on motorcycles.
Also I think some of the single wheel trailer role has been filled by cargo trays attached to hitch receivers, effectively a no wheel trailer. either general purpose baskets or specialized motorcycle and mobility scooter carriers.
Modern cars don’t have suitable bumpers for fixing something like this.
Quite interesting!!! I’m Canadian and over 40 but never seen such a thing on the road. I really wonder how this would perform on terrible snow conditions????
Stupid question but I have to ask: Is that where the term 5th wheel come from?!???