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Towing a VW Beetle
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jewest
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 4:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I recently towed my '67 from Northen Cal to Florida - over 2500 miles with no problems using a used VW tow bar ($50). I used safety chains and magnetic tail/brake lights I bought at U-Haul for about $40. I can sell you both for $75 plus actual shipping (?) if you wish. I agree the rental tow bars are a rip off. Joe
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Russ Wolfe
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Towing an autostick is not a problem. Just like a manual trans, make sure it is in neutrak and the trans is full of oil.
The autostick is really a manual transmission with and automatic clutch, and a torque converter.
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dejvan
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jewest wrote:
I recently towed my '67 from Northen Cal to Florida - over 2500 miles with no problems using a used VW tow bar ($50). I used safety chains and magnetic tail/brake lights I bought at U-Haul for about $40. I can sell you both for $75 plus actual shipping (?) if you wish. I agree the rental tow bars are a rip off. Joe

My tow bar/safety chains/magnetic tail lights already paid for them selfs with only 3 towings. Good investment.
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Low67vdubinnocal
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

towed my 67 bug home from NE. to sacramento couple of years ago with my pathfinder in a blizzard.was like 60 bucks for the tow bar lights and saftey chains from walmart maybe another 60 bucks.spun it out on the 80 a compleat 360 in front of some trucker slid on the ice just like i parked on the side of the road between the markers not a scratch on anything.that poor trucker must have thought he was headin for a dirt nap.made it the rest of the way with nothing else exciting.did buy a CB at the next truck stop as recomended by a trucker for driving conditions when truckers decide its time to park you should also start looking for a hotel expensive trip but many lessions learned.
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mybug
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 12:30 pm    Post subject: Secure Steering Wheel? Reply with quote

Getting ready to tow my bug, I was told from one person that I should secure the steering wheel with bungy cords to keep the wheel from turning too much. Is this correct?

Thanks
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grandpa pete
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 12:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ABSOLUTELY NOT !!!!
the front tires have to turn to follow you around the corners.....otherwise you are dragging the tires sideways

NOTE ; the only time you tie down the front tires is when the bug is on a tow dolly BACKWARDS....the swivel on the tow dolly turns the" front" of the bug and the bug front tires follow straight
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mybug
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:00 pm    Post subject: Thanks Reply with quote

Thanks grandpa Pete!
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mybug
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:37 pm    Post subject: Thanks Reply with quote

Thanks grandpa Pete!
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60ragtop
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 4:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

yes, you can put a bungee cord over the steering wheel loosely if the steering wheel wanders back and fort. if you put it on loose the wheel will still turn but keep it from wandering Wink
(And I have been towing bugs this way across the country for over 35 years)
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SBD
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 9:14 am    Post subject: Re: Secure Steering Wheel? Reply with quote

mybug wrote:
Getting ready to tow my bug, I was told from one person that I should secure the steering wheel with bungy cords to keep the wheel from turning too much. Is this correct?

Thanks
It helps to have the correct air pressures in the tires. Too much pressure in front and the car might tend to wander or the front tires might not like to return to center as well as they should. Correct tire pressures usually takes care of it but adding some weight to the trunk of the car can help too. I've towed VW's with tow bars for more miles than I can remember. Cool
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Zundfolge1432 Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 6:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

60ragtop wrote:
yes, you can put a bungee cord over the steering wheel loosely if the steering wheel wanders back and fort. if you put it on loose the wheel will still turn but keep it from wandering Wink
(And I have been towing bugs this way across the country for over 35 years)


Yes and I've towed more than a few with worn front end parts, what you'll notice is a quick back and forth usually after going around a corner at low speed.recently we almost destroyed a tow bar because the motion became severe before we could get it shut down. The loose bungee acts as a damper

The newest bars and those made within the last 10 yrs or so are made of thinner tubing, so they are prone to cracking and will not take much abuse.we have an old bar made in the 70s from heavy gauge square tubing and the u shaped pieces are also made of heavy gauge steel and attach separatley it weighs at least twice what the new ones do.
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craigman
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 6:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm with the others. A tow bar is a wise investment. Around $80 new.
I just bought a used one for $60 this weekend, along with some Harbor Freight towing light kit on sale for $20. I towed my bug 20 miles down to my work to paint it.
The towing company wanted $100 to tow it one way. Well worth buying one in my case.
And it towed like a dream at 55mph down the freeway! Cool
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shortride
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 5:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've had pretty good luck towing my '66 Sedan with a towbar the few times I've used it.
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Cusser
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 6:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought a VW tow bar in 1986 to tow a VW back from California, about 300 miles. I've used it locally for short distance since then, really does the job. This will NOT fit my Super Beetle though.
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ClipperBuggy
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 1:35 pm    Post subject: Couple Recommendations. Reply with quote

One thing I would recommend is to disconnect the battery when you tow it. Since your in neutral it shouldn't make a difference, but should somehow the car jump into gear and somehow power is able to get to the coil...you might have an issue ha.

Also, the tow bar I bought on amazon came with cotter pins, I recommend picking up safely style pins for the end that goes around your lower torsion bar. if the angle of the tow bar on your car is not level or if the cotter pin jumps (Like going over a bump) the pin may pop out easily.

I picked up a tow bar and it saved me the very next day when my clutch cable broke....
very inexpensive and handy to have around...even if you have to walk home and get it!
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