TheSamba.com :: View topic - What to do before towing a caravan with my 412?

Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:50 am

Hi Guys just a quick question for future reference when the weather improves enough for going away with our small folding caravan.

Other than the obvious towbar and electrics is there anything that would be of benefit to fit to the car before hitching up and going.

I had thought about replacing the rear shocks and possibly fitting some spring assistors to the the rear springs, along with an oil temp gauge just to warn me if things get tad too warm.

The caravan is only a small Rapido Confort folding caravan and is not especially heavy, our little 1300 bug manages to tow it :lol: and the original bright orange floral caravan interior cushions and curtains of the late '70s are in keeping with the age of the car 8)

Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:49 am

Check tranny oil and brakes.

Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:01 pm

Yep, good suggestions above. I've seen pictures of a 412 towing a bay window bus on a dolly, and also somebody has towed a 412 on a trailer w/a 412, so if your Beetle will pull it, you should be fine.

Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:56 pm

Back in my college days I tried towing my Honda 360 motorcycle in a closed U-Haul with my 411 wagon. Got about 60 miles before the 411 gave up on the tollway (kept losing speed). I dropped the U-Haul at an oasis, had my roommate drive the 411 and I rode my bike the 300 miles to SIU. The VW was happy the whole way without that trailer on its tail and it lasted 4 more years until I traded it in for a tuneup on a sweet '73 bus.

Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:37 pm

MikePhelps wrote: Back in my college days I tried towing my Honda 360 motorcycle in a closed U-Haul with my 411 wagon. Got about 60 miles before the 411 gave up on the tollway (kept losing speed). I dropped the U-Haul at an oasis, had my roommate drive the 411 and I rode my bike the 300 miles to SIU. The VW was happy the whole way without that trailer on its tail and it lasted 4 more years until I traded it in for a tuneup on a sweet '73 bus.

You bearer of doom!!!! :lol:

Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:42 pm

If a Beetle can tow it, a Type 4 in good condition should be far superior. I've seen photos of a Type 4 towing a Bay bus on a dolly or another Type 4 on a trailer!

Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:00 am

Just fixed several small oil leaks on the car, was leaking around the push rod tubes and a couple of other places. The gear box has had fresh oil when I had to sort out another of its teething issues, so that is taken care of as well.

I have just got hold of some spring assisters to help the tired back end and I have just recieved a Pertronix unit and coil to fit. Someone in the local Vdub club has put me in contact with a local garage with a rolling road who has the skills to tune up the injection system to ensure that everything is working as it should.

Then when the sun comes out of we go!!

Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:08 pm

ubercrap wrote: I've seen photos of a type 4 towing.....another Type 4 on a trailer!
Yeah, which fool did that?! :lol: