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onetuza
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Joined: June 20, 2012
Posts: 281
Location: Sebastian, FL
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 Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 7:20 am Post subject: |
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I'm thinking of looking at a couple of bugs within the state of Florida.
One is 3 hours away and the other is 5 hours away.
I'd prefer to ship if I purchase, but what do you guys think about driving it that far? This whole shipping thing sounds like a crap shoot.
I guess if I break down, my insurance roadside assistance would cover some of it.
Has anybody used a U-hall auto transport? http://www.uhaul.com/Reservations/EquipmentDetail.aspx?model=AT
I'd have to borrow someone's truck and rent the trailer at the seller's location.
Advice appreciated. |
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notchback
Insensitive Jerk
Joined: December 16, 2003
Posts: 6796
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| Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:22 am Post subject: |
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The trailers are great, but you'd probably find it cheaper if you rent where you are, use it for the day, then drop it off. Taking one from one location to another usually jacks the price up considerably.
I wouldn't trust a car I have never driven and don't know the history of on a trip more than 30 miles or so.
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onetuza
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2012
Posts: 281
Location: Sebastian, FL
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| Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:36 am Post subject: |
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| notchback wrote: |
The trailers are great, but you'd probably find it cheaper if you rent where you are, use it for the day, then drop it off. Taking one from one location to another usually jacks the price up considerably.
I wouldn't trust a car I have never driven and don't know the history of on a trip more than 30 miles or so. |
I was thinking of driving to the location with a borrowed truck and picking up the u-haul trailer there and then dropping it off in my town.
You're saying hook up the trailer in my town, drive it empty to the seller location and drive it back and return it and this would be cheaper?
I'll have to check it out.
It seems do-able for a 6 hour round trip, but I think I'd lean towards a shipper for a 10 hour round trip.
As far as driving the car home, I agree with you. |
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MidWesty79
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Joined: October 19, 2011
Posts: 338
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin, US
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| Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:40 am Post subject: |
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What exactly are you looking at buying? If you're buying a full-on project car (doesn't run well, needs completion,) then a trailer would obviously be a good call, but if you're buying something that is supposedly in good running condition give it a good thorough look see (maybe even take it to a mechanic if you don't trust yourself) before you purchase and drive her home. Maybe stop off at AutoZone and pick up a set of points for it. 3 hours isn't that far. Do you have AAA? If you're buying an ACVW... you should...
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onetuza
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2012
Posts: 281
Location: Sebastian, FL
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| Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:55 am Post subject: |
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| MidWesty79 wrote: |
| What exactly are you looking at buying? If you're buying a full-on project car (doesn't run well, needs completion,) then a trailer would obviously be a good call, but if you're buying something that is supposedly in good running condition give it a good thorough look see (maybe even take it to a mechanic if you don't trust yourself) before you purchase and drive her home. Maybe stop off at AutoZone and pick up a set of points for it. 3 hours isn't that far. Do you have AAA? If you're buying an ACVW... you should... |
I'm looking at mostly to fully restored bugs.
I have safeco insurance with roadside assistance.
I've used it three times in the last year or so with no charge because the towing was under 15 miles.
I guess I'd be reluctant to drive it, since a breakdown 100 miles from home in a vehicle that very few know how to work on, scares the hell out of me.
I just checked on U-Haul and with insurance, the car trailer would be only $69, but I'd have to see if my neighbor would lend me his truck for a day. |
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Endicott jb
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Joined: February 17, 2008
Posts: 1957
Location: Havre, MT
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| Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 10:59 am Post subject: |
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Pay for gas and buy him breakfast and lunch. If he's cool with shit like this then he may go for it. I've driven 20 hours round trip with a buddy to pick up the HBB bus in so cal when I lived in Nor cal. I tell ya what, trips like that are fun as hell.
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MidWesty79
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Joined: October 19, 2011
Posts: 338
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin, US
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| Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:01 am Post subject: |
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I can understand your hesitation, especially with a car you have no experience with. But these cars are more reliable than people give them credit for. If you give it a thorough once over before purchasing and all checks out there should be little need for hesitation.
That being said, AAA is a good thing. Before owning an ACVW I would have scoffed at the idea, but for under $100 a year (i think i paid $85) you get 4 100 mile tows per year. Which can be handy when the nearest town is 80+ miles away. Plus you get trip interruption services (look into it, it's really handy) which is pretty nice. I've yet to have to use it (knock on wood,) but it's nice to have.
Either way, good luck in your purchase! Let us know what you get!
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EverettB 
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Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 42207
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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| Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:15 am Post subject: |
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| onetuza wrote: |
I was thinking of driving to the location with a borrowed truck and picking up the u-haul trailer there and then dropping it off in my town.
You're saying hook up the trailer in my town, drive it empty to the seller location and drive it back and return it and this would be cheaper?
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Yes, it cheaper to do their "per day" rate if you can do it than paying the one-way costs.
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onetuza
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2012
Posts: 281
Location: Sebastian, FL
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| Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:16 am Post subject: |
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| MidWesty79 wrote: |
I can understand your hesitation, especially with a car you have no experience with. But these cars are more reliable than people give them credit for. If you give it a thorough once over before purchasing and all checks out there should be little need for hesitation.
That being said, AAA is a good thing. Before owning an ACVW I would have scoffed at the idea, but for under $100 a year (i think i paid $85) you get 4 100 mile tows per year. Which can be handy when the nearest town is 80+ miles away. Plus you get trip interruption services (look into it, it's really handy) which is pretty nice. I've yet to have to use it (knock on wood,) but it's nice to have.
Either way, good luck in your purchase! Let us know what you get! |
Well, I wouldn't say "no experience". Back in 1968-1969 while in college, I owned a 1960 that I absolutely loved. (That's the reason at 66 years old, I'm nostalgic for a VW garage queen.)
I did the usual maintenance work on it. It will probably come back quickly.
As far as AAA, everyone I've ever run into said they had to wait hours for them to show up. My experience with my roadside assistance has always been under an hour.
Update: Just found out that safeco will tow you to the nearest repair shop. If it's 100 miles away, then no charge. If it's a classic car, they'll call around to find a repair shop "qualified" to work on that particular car. Good to know anyway.
Last edited by onetuza on Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:58 am; edited 1 time in total |
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iowegian
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 5779
Location: the East Coast of Ioway
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| Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:53 am Post subject: |
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Another option would be to flat tow it using a VW specific tow bar. You might be able to borrow one or just buy one for under a hundred bucks. Handy to have for future use. You can tow with any vehicle that has a hitch.
(obviously the tires, etc, on the VW have to be in decent shape. |
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drscope
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Joined: February 19, 2007
Posts: 13530
Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:02 pm Post subject: |
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| iowegian wrote: |
Another option would be to flat tow it using a VW specific tow bar. You might be able to borrow one or just buy one for under a hundred bucks. Handy to have for future use. You can tow with any vehicle that has a hitch.
(obviously the tires, etc, on the VW have to be in decent shape. |
X2.
If you are looking at running/driving complete cars, borrow a truck or big car and buy a tow bar.
If you are going to be involved with VW's you will be using the tow bar a lot anyway!
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Erik G
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Joined: October 16, 2002
Posts: 6796
Location: in your head
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| Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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| drscope wrote: |
| iowegian wrote: |
Another option would be to flat tow it using a VW specific tow bar. You might be able to borrow one or just buy one for under a hundred bucks. Handy to have for future use. You can tow with any vehicle that has a hitch.
(obviously the tires, etc, on the VW have to be in decent shape. |
X2.
If you are looking at running/driving complete cars, borrow a truck or big car and buy a tow bar.
If you are going to be involved with VW's you will be using the tow bar a lot anyway! |
x3. Get a tow bar if it's just a bug. It will be cheaper on gas in the borrowed truck, and less likely to damage it.
Before I had a truck I borrowed others. Always a full tank and washed when I returned it. I let people borrow my truck. If it comes back clean and at least as much if not more gas than when they borrowed it, they can use it again. If it comes back with less gas, and dirty - that ain't friendly and no you cannot use my truck again  |
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onetuza
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2012
Posts: 281
Location: Sebastian, FL
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| Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Erik G wrote: |
| drscope wrote: |
| iowegian wrote: |
Another option would be to flat tow it using a VW specific tow bar. You might be able to borrow one or just buy one for under a hundred bucks. Handy to have for future use. You can tow with any vehicle that has a hitch.
(obviously the tires, etc, on the VW have to be in decent shape. |
X2.
If you are looking at running/driving complete cars, borrow a truck or big car and buy a tow bar.
If you are going to be involved with VW's you will be using the tow bar a lot anyway! |
x3. Get a tow bar if it's just a bug. It will be cheaper on gas in the borrowed truck, and less likely to damage it.
Before I had a truck I borrowed others. Always a full tank and washed when I returned it. I let people borrow my truck. If it comes back clean and at least as much if not more gas than when they borrowed it, they can use it again. If it comes back with less gas, and dirty - that ain't friendly and no you cannot use my truck again |
Not sure I get why towing a car with all four wheels on the ground would be less likely to damage it as opposed to off the ground on a trailer? |
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MidWesty79
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Joined: October 19, 2011
Posts: 338
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin, US
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| Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:47 pm Post subject: |
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| onetuza wrote: |
Well, I wouldn't say "no experience". Back in 1968-1969 while in college, I owned a 1960 that I absolutely loved.
Update: Just found out that safeco will tow you to the nearest repair shop. If it's 100 miles away, then no charge. If it's a classic car, they'll call around to find a repair shop "qualified" to work on that particular car. Good to know anyway. |
I didn't actually mean "No Experience" with VWs, just with the particular car you will be buying, i.e. you don't know if after it warms up it happens to randomly die... etc.
Anyway, I agree, AAA isn't exactly the Bee's Knees, but it will allow you to tow your car 100 miles to ANYWHERE you want. If you want to tow it to the Holiday Inn and fix it your damn self... you can. AND, they will pay for your hotel, AND your meals, for 72 hours. And if, for whatever reason, you needed to be somewhere, but since your car broke down you can't make it, they'll fly you there. For free. Again, not saying AAA is the best, and I haven't had it that long, but from what I've heard, it works out quite well. Especially if you're planning a trip in an ACVW that... well... can have its moments.
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Schwing
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Joined: May 10, 2009
Posts: 1428
Location: Kent Island, MD
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| Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 8:30 am Post subject: |
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VW Tow bar = risk something might go wrong
Car Dolly = risk something might go wrong
Uhaul Trailer (all 4 wheels off the ground) rented at the location of the seller = extra cost, yet very little risk.
If you have access to, or own a truck with a 2" hitch receiver you can rent one of the "off the ground" dual axle trailers.
3 years ago I found a car I had to have, yet it was 1300 miles away. Thinking with my emotions I committed to buying it. The risk manager in me kicked in and I decided to rent a Uhaul trailer at the sellers location a few miles from his house.
I drove the truck to Uhaul and showed up at the sellers house with the trailer. When I got back home I simply returned the Uhaul trailer 2 miles from my house. Done and done.
Total cost renting a Uhaul trailer for 2 days was north of $300.
In your case, you can rent and return in the same day. I would rent a trailer. Not a dolly, wait did I say that already?  So go ahead and get your bug and let the fun begin. You're wasting time here! lol
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Erik G
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Joined: October 16, 2002
Posts: 6796
Location: in your head
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| Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:51 am Post subject: |
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| onetuza wrote: |
| Erik G wrote: |
| drscope wrote: |
| iowegian wrote: |
Another option would be to flat tow it using a VW specific tow bar. You might be able to borrow one or just buy one for under a hundred bucks. Handy to have for future use. You can tow with any vehicle that has a hitch.
(obviously the tires, etc, on the VW have to be in decent shape. |
X2.
If you are looking at running/driving complete cars, borrow a truck or big car and buy a tow bar.
If you are going to be involved with VW's you will be using the tow bar a lot anyway! |
x3. Get a tow bar if it's just a bug. It will be cheaper on gas in the borrowed truck, and less likely to damage it.
Before I had a truck I borrowed others. Always a full tank and washed when I returned it. I let people borrow my truck. If it comes back clean and at least as much if not more gas than when they borrowed it, they can use it again. If it comes back with less gas, and dirty - that ain't friendly and no you cannot use my truck again |
Not sure I get why towing a car with all four wheels on the ground would be less likely to damage it as opposed to off the ground on a trailer? |
In my experience, the uhaul trailers suck. I blew a tire in one, sending the whole thing fish tailing with my squareback on it. You also have shitty tire straps. The ramps move, but the actual floor where the wheels go are a little narrow for a vw.
Just my experience. If it was a regular flatbed trailer, I'd think differently. A tow bar, flat towing, your vw just rolls along like it was driving. I've never had an issue. |
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notchback
Insensitive Jerk
Joined: December 16, 2003
Posts: 6796
Location: 208
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| Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Erik G wrote: |
| onetuza wrote: |
| Erik G wrote: |
| drscope wrote: |
| iowegian wrote: |
Another option would be to flat tow it using a VW specific tow bar. You might be able to borrow one or just buy one for under a hundred bucks. Handy to have for future use. You can tow with any vehicle that has a hitch.
(obviously the tires, etc, on the VW have to be in decent shape. |
X2.
If you are looking at running/driving complete cars, borrow a truck or big car and buy a tow bar.
If you are going to be involved with VW's you will be using the tow bar a lot anyway! |
x3. Get a tow bar if it's just a bug. It will be cheaper on gas in the borrowed truck, and less likely to damage it.
Before I had a truck I borrowed others. Always a full tank and washed when I returned it. I let people borrow my truck. If it comes back clean and at least as much if not more gas than when they borrowed it, they can use it again. If it comes back with less gas, and dirty - that ain't friendly and no you cannot use my truck again |
Not sure I get why towing a car with all four wheels on the ground would be less likely to damage it as opposed to off the ground on a trailer? |
In my experience, the uhaul trailers suck. I blew a tire in one, sending the whole thing fish tailing with my squareback on it. You also have crappy tire straps. The ramps move, but the actual floor where the wheels go are a little narrow for a vw.
Just my experience. If it was a regular flatbed trailer, I'd think differently. A tow bar, flat towing, your vw just rolls along like it was driving. I've never had an issue. |
I've towed Type 3's thousands of miles with a standard dolly and only had one problem. It was my fault, and it hasn't happened since. Nothing and no one was hurt. My longest trip was about 1700 miles from St. Louis back home to Idaho. If you know what you're doing, a tow dolly will present no problems.
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Lobotomy
Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2010
Posts: 542
Location: Traverse City, MI
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| Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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If you're talking nearly fully restored cars with a recorded history, and you've test driven them yourself, then by all means.
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scottvw
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Joined: November 17, 2004
Posts: 2311
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
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| Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Get a friend to go with you and take a tow bar. Drive the car and have him follow you. If it breaks down, you have the tow bar. If it doesn't, then you have a great story to tell in the future about your purchase and road trip home. |
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19super73
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Joined: October 18, 2007
Posts: 3756
Location: Cité Soleil
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| Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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I've towed multiple vehicles thousands of kilometers with no issues just using a flat deck trailer and a truck. Chain 2 corners and then straps for 4 corners. Last car I towed 500km never moved an inch on the trailer.
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| Glenn wrote: |
| Only a hack would have to take the rear apron off to remove a stock engine. |
| JerryMCarter1 wrote: |
If it is something just stuck eventually it will wear down and go away.
Run it for awhile and see if it gets quieter |
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