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Fri Nov 29, 2002 11:49 pm

I found my dream in a junkyard and need help. All tires are rotten and she's sunk into the mud a bit. I'm going to hire a towing company with one of those flatbed wreckers to get her out. I have vision of major damage resulting from this project.

Where should the tow guy hook on? Pull from the front or back? What's the safe way to do this? Any advice or words of caution are appreciated.

Sat Nov 30, 2002 1:54 am

get 4 good roller rims with tires. Take a floor jack and a good size piece of plywood to place floor jack on (if on dirt or mud...). Change all 4 tires. Front or back will be the same to pull from, whichever is available for the tow to pull. Jack up front on the center of beam and on the rear on either l or r swing arm plates base. DON'T jack on any part of the body, jack ports, chassis, etc....you will just damage whatever you jack that way. Just be cool, patience....

Sun Dec 01, 2002 12:25 am

Once you get it jacked up in the air, check and see if the wheels will turn. Sometimes, they set so long, the brakes or whatever lock up. I pulled a panel out of the ground a few months ago, and everything was froze up. It was parked like 30 years. I finally got the rear drums off (it was a freakin' nightmare) and they were packed full of mud. You might want to go check out everything before you call your tow truck. Have fun and be prepared to curse.

Sun Dec 01, 2002 11:14 am

My tip would don't have any big, hard objects around that you could be tempted to chuck at the bus.

Andrew
'58 Panel Bus(for sale)
'60 European Beetle
'67 Deluxe Bus

Sun Dec 01, 2002 7:10 pm

Yeah, spend some time getting prepared first. Get it so that the wheels will spin in the air before you call in the towtruck, then when he comes, it should be a piece of cake, and you won't wreck something trying to rush. Jeremy

Sun Dec 01, 2002 7:19 pm

in a pinch you could roll it on the rims with no tyres, don't count on them being to good after this.

Wed Dec 04, 2002 8:59 pm

I agree that you should get her jacked up ahead of time. Don't forget to bring enough plywood and 2 by 4's to leave some under each wheel to prevent the whole production from sinking back into the primal ooze.

Wed Dec 04, 2002 9:01 pm

Oh, and bring a shovel.
The bus is probably sitting on the frame and rocker panels. You will need to dig out channels underneath to allow your jack to get under.

Thu Dec 05, 2002 10:20 am

Thanks for all your advice. We got it onto the trailer without problems, although watching all the tires fall apart on the way up the ramp isn't fun. The tow truck guy was actually pretty cool about the whole thing