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Splated Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2013 Posts: 46 Location: California
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:17 pm Post subject: How do I get my 72 beetle from CA to WV. |
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I'm Moving to West Virginia from California, and I really want to bring my 72 with me. If I can't find a way to move it I'll be forced to sell it.
I need a cost effective way to get it there. The bug is running but I don't trust it to go that far and we will need a second car anyways for all our stuff.
Our current plan is to Tow it with a 4cyl Toyota Tacoma. I have never towed anything before, And I'm looking for advice.
Is a tow bar safe for that long of a trip or is a dolly better? |
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hitest Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008 Posts: 10296 Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:45 pm Post subject: |
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A u-haul car trailer is the best way. But a tow dolly is no better than a flat tow with a $50 bug tow bar. Either way, go easy on the 4 cyl. Toyota or you'll be back to one family car. _________________
EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
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'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
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Splated Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2013 Posts: 46 Location: California
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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Can it be done with a flat tow or am I risking destroying my transmission? Its a manual.
Cost is also a big problem. My original plan was to rent a Pod and put the bug inside, But for that distance we are looking at $4-5K. |
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VWCOOL Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006 Posts: 1821 Location: Down under
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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I would say 'drive it'. VWs have been driven across countries for decades! Leave it with friends for now and come back and collect when you are settled
OR: Is the Toyota a 2.7? If so.. it will tow a 900kg Bug EASY (as long as there is not too much other crap inside!) |
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blue72beetle Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2008 Posts: 846 Location: Fort Wayne, IN
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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iowegian Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005 Posts: 9826 Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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Flat tow it and never look back-----------------because when you look back you'll see a VW tailgating you and that might really piss you off. |
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shortride Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2010 Posts: 1323 Location: Oklahoma
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nlorntson Crazy VW Lady
Joined: March 13, 2004 Posts: 3776 Location: Twin Cities, MN
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Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:12 am Post subject: |
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You say "We"
Have one of you drive the VW and one drive the Toyota. If you run into problems with the VW. Toss the tow bar on and finish the trip. |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31271 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 12:21 pm Post subject: |
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nlorntson wrote: |
Have one of you drive the VW and one drive the Toyota. If you run into problems with the VW. Toss the tow bar on and finish the trip. |
More likely: if you run into problems with the Toyota, hop in the VW and drive to find help.
OK, maybe "joking". If me I would use my VW tow bar. I towed a VW300 miles with it.
A few weeks ago I towed a VW locally with my 4-cylinder 1998 Nissan Frontier (125hp); my guess is that your Tacoma has more hp than that.
Back in the 1970s where I worked, we towed VWs and dune buggies 100 miles using a VW dune buggy, like 50hp. And that wasn't just level towing either, also highways up to 100 miles. _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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Erik G Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2002 Posts: 13247 Location: Tejas!
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Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 2:09 pm Post subject: |
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couple things. Uhaul isnt going to rent you a trailer to tow with a tacoma. So nix that idea. A tow dolly...Kinda scary actually. I'd tow with a regular tow bar and all four wheels on the ground before I used a dolly.
If you do the tow bar, make sure all the tires are good, the alignment is good, and the bearings are good. It should work fine
Another good idea, would be to just buy a 4 wheel trailer with trailer brakes. Use it and sell the trailer when you get there. It will be cheaper in the long run. A tacoma will pull a bug and a 4 wheel trailer just fine. Not so much on stopping though, which is why I suggested the trailer brakes |
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Splated Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2013 Posts: 46 Location: California
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Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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Wow thank you for the replies!
iowegian wrote: |
Flat tow it and never look back-----------------because when you look back you'll see a VW tailgating you and that might really piss you off. |
Funny you should say that just today a bug was tailgating me, made a joke to my wife that we will be seeing that for a while.
Brian wrote: |
Drive it man. |
I have been driving it around town but for driving that far , its not real trustworthy and I'm only just starting to learn to how to do my own upkeep. Plus the driver seat has a few springs that are "a pain in the ass!"
blue72beetle wrote: |
The real question is, is it rust free? |
Its in good shape metal wise.
I'm planing to buy the Tow Bar, and do a test tow to a relative who knows bugs well and have him check it out.
I have 2 options for what I hook it too I can bumper tow (still checking on that ) or I can buy a tow hitch kit for under the car.
According to all my tacoma research, it can tow 3500lb So I should be good.
Fun side note the speedometer cable is currently broken in the bug so if I don't fix it the odometer wont record this epic trip. |
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hitest Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008 Posts: 10296 Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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Time to revisit this. Yes, your Tacoma will tow a trailer with your bug on it. Just make sure it's up to snuff. It does little good to tow a trailer that has better brakes and tires than the tow vehicle.
I've flat towed 100s of miles without any issues- just remember- you cannot back up! Tie a bungie cord to the steering wheel so it doesn't jackknife pulling into steep/tight gas stations.
Read the threads on flat towing- all the warnings and such. I'm the only guy in the US apparently who recommends disconnecting (or fully removing) the speedo cable. When it overheats and fries- you won't be in the bug to hear it's warning squeals before it happens. _________________
EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
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'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
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origowner Samba Member
Joined: June 28, 2009 Posts: 90 Location: Chula Vista CA
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Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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Caution: If there isn't there should be a law against exporting Volkswagens out of California. |
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gt1953 Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2002 Posts: 13843 Location: White Mountains Arizona
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Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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Flat tow it. You definitely want the tow bar that will have the proper connection. The Standard uses one type of tow bar and Super beetle uses another style. Make sure if that is what you decide that you obtain the tow lights. _________________ Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.
72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold}) |
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 12:40 am Post subject: |
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As much as I agree with flat towing:
Driving it a few thousand will be no problemo if it is well maintained. These cars use to be able to handle anything, and I mean anything. A few thopusand should be no problem for a mediocre rebuild and decent transmission with 'eh' bearings. _________________ Wash your hands
'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper
Only losers litter |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31271 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 6:22 am Post subject: |
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hitest wrote: |
I'm the only guy in the US apparently who recommends disconnecting (or fully removing) the speedo cable. When it overheats and fries- you won't be in the bug to hear it's warning squeals before it happens. |
There's no more stress on the cable or the speedometer when towing than when driving, since it runs off the front driver wheel rotation. But if you disconnect it (easier at speedometer end), then you won't add odometer miles that were not "driven", if that matters to you. _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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blue72beetle Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2008 Posts: 846 Location: Fort Wayne, IN
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Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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Now I'm wondering... if one were really paranoid about flat towing, would it be more advantageous to remove the axles? _________________ -Andy-
-1970 Ghia-
-1971 Bus 1776 Microsquirt EFI- |
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hitest Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008 Posts: 10296 Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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Cusser wrote: |
hitest wrote: |
I'm the only guy in the US apparently who recommends disconnecting (or fully removing) the speedo cable. When it overheats and fries- you won't be in the bug to hear it's warning squeals before it happens. |
There's no more stress on the cable or the speedometer when towing than when driving, since it runs off the front driver wheel rotation. But if you disconnect it (easier at speedometer end), then you won't add odometer miles that were not "driven", if that matters to you. |
Cusser- halfway across Nevada, at night, driving to Boise from LA in a '61 bug- I can tell you with certainty that when the speedo cable started to whine- by the time I got pulled over to disconnect it from the back of the speedo- it was too hot to grip in my bare hands.
The point you fail to see is this- I was IN the car when it failed- so I heard it go. If you are towing the car, you are not IN the car to hear it go.
To the PO- you decide what's better, to record precious miles or risk cooking something. _________________
EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
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'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
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vw7266 Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2004 Posts: 3038 Location: the point, ohio
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 7:29 pm Post subject: |
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where in WV are u moving to? |
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