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Towing a VW Beetle
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eastky_vw
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:45 pm    Post subject: Towing a VW Beetle Reply with quote

I am planning on buying a VW Beetle and need to tow it like 275 mi. My question is can I tow this car with a tow dolly. I planned on renting it when I get there. Will this create any problems with the car being rear wheel drive. This is pretty much the only way I have to tow it.

Thanks
Steve
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estofer
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Should not cause a problem, just make sure is in neutral.

I know that you can buy a tow bar that attaches to the front end of the bug. I dont know how much they cost but if it is close to the amount you will have to pay to rent the dolly then you might as well buy the tow bar and you would be able to use it again in the future.
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&Dan
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Absolutely, get the tow bar. I've towed a Beetle hundreds of miles, once through a nasty blizzard, with no problems.

If you do a search on the topic of towing you'll find there are few caveats to the process apart from the observation you probably shouldn't try to back up!
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Rowroy
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Not a problem. I've towed my car over 400 miles without incident. Just don't try to back up.
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drscope
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A VW tow bar works well and most cost much less then $100. Check the laws in the state you need to tow in. Some states require safety chains (always a good idea) and some will not allow the use of a tow bar. A phone call to your state police will give you that answer.

As for towing with a dolly, I suggest you put the drive wheels on the dolly. This way the transmission is in gear and you can use the parking brake. This helps keep the car located on the dolly and you won't have the transmission turning while towing.

If you tow the car backwards, make sure things like the sun roof, gas door, rear hatch, etc., if equiped, are all closed tightly. Some times these things don't like going fast backwards and have a tendency to open because of the wind flow over the car.

I have towed thousands of miles with a tow bar and a dolly. Both are simple and safe as long as you don't have to back up.

If using a tow bar, make sure the steering column does NOT lock! The front wheels need to be able to steer themselves as you tow.

If using a dolly, make sure the steering column IS locked to help the car track straight. If you don't have a locking steering column, you can sometimes put the seat belt through the steering wheel and use that to keep the wheel from turning.
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67type0ne
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just towed a 67 about 400 miles with a tow dolly . Didnt have any problems....made sure the trans was full put it in neutral and strapped the front down.....came home anywhere from 65-70 . if the car is currently tagged then your good if not make sure your state dont have laws against a non tagged car in-tow . Here in CA we cant tow a car with out a tag . I never had any problems with a tow dolly but I havent never used a tow bar...I like the idea of them and buying one beats uhauls 39.95 plus $8 ins. Hope this helps
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bluejacket98
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have towed both with the tow bar and with a tow dolly. I towed the cars normally backwards with the dolly, with no problems, but do make sure you lock the steering. I enjoy having the ability to carry my tow bar with me in the truck in case I ever see a bug on the road I can help out, both have there advantages
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glutamodo Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought a 61 years ago to fix up and towed it wtih a tow bar - about 65 miles. It also came with a spare rolling chassis - I went down back a few daus after I got the car and towed that up, again with the tow bar, worked just great. Both trips were on the Interstate, no problems or issues at all.
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Make good and sure it cant get into gear! Check out the Mountain Gear/ Yakima '56 oval, was a drag car til it got towed 250 miles in gear. Guy who owned it was pissed enough he traded it for a Columbia jacket. Been sitting with no motor as an advertisment car since then.
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Alan Willis
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:30 am    Post subject: Re: Towing a VW Beetle Reply with quote

eastky_vw wrote:
I am planning on buying a VW Beetle and need to tow it like 275 mi. My question is can I tow this car with a tow dolly. I planned on renting it when I get there. Will this create any problems with the car being rear wheel drive. This is pretty much the only way I have to tow it.

Thanks
Steve

For the price of the tow dolly rental you can own a tow bar Wink
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eastky_vw
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This car is an autostick should that matter alot if I do tow it with the front wheels on the dolly?
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66zeke
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

autostick huh just leave it there Cool
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Alan Willis
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You're going through all of this over an autostick?
Aoutomatics and manuals have one thing in common;they both have neutral Wink
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67type0ne
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 2:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I dont know anything about a autostick...other then the stories I hear about them...I'd convert the car to standard . As for towing it just to be on the safe side I would tow with the rear wheels on the dolly . Maybe someone else can tell you what your choices are if you go with the tow-bar .
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Bugdog67
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I tried towing my '67 with a tow bar once. It seemed that on moderate turns the front wheels/tires resisted turning and would angle unnaturally -- it was kinda scary looking, so my brother ended up sitting in the VW and helping it to steer and track behind the tow vehicle for the short tow to the repair shop. Has anyone else experienced this?
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MikePhelps
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What about lights? Does the car on the towbar need to have tailights? I'm looking at a VW that's 7 hours and 1 state away from my home. [/img]
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Alan Willis
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bugdog67 wrote:
I tried towing my '67 with a tow bar once. It seemed that on moderate turns the front wheels/tires resisted turning and would angle unnaturally -- it was kinda scary looking, so my brother ended up sitting in the VW and helping it to steer and track behind the tow vehicle for the short tow to the repair shop. Has anyone else experienced this?

It happens on sharp turns,the wheels should straighten back out.
If you use a lowered trailer hitch it won't happen.
Is your '67 lowered?
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67type0ne
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would make sure it had at least parking lights on....not sure of your pull vech but with a bug they can probly see its brake lights .
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Bugdog67
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Alan Willis wrote:

It happens on sharp turns,the wheels should straighten back out.
If you use a lowered trailer hitch it won't happen.
Is your '67 lowered?


My VW is stock, but I was towing it with my 4Runner -- maybe a lowered trailer hitch would help. Thanks.
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MikePhelps
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd be using my Cherokee to tow a Thing. I'm guessing the Jeep tail lights might not be visible.
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