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herkster Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013 Posts: 428 Location: Boca Raton, FL
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 6:16 am Post subject: towing covered or in rain |
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Hi all,
We try not to get caught in the rain and carry a cover in the event it happens. what about towing and in the rain?
Anyone do that? Again I'd not like it but if i'm towing three hours in Florida where showers are common from time to time my choices are few. I'd have to find a gas station to hide or stop and cover for what its worth.
The seats seem resistant to this issue and the rear seat is made with PT and covered. I'm concerned about electronics(gauges, Fuel injection computer and radio) a bit and may be able to cover those.
The pan and engine are protected...
thoughts? |
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vwracerdave Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2004 Posts: 15302 Location: Deep in the 405
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 6:33 am Post subject: |
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Never put a cover on a car when towing down the road. The wind flapping the cover will damage the paint in 20-30 miles no matter how secure you attach the cover. Get an enclosed trailer or live with a wet car.
What's wrong with driving your buggy to the show? _________________ 2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK
Featured in Dec. 2001 HOT VW's Magazine page 63
Watch my racing video's http://www.youtube.com/user/okvwracer/videos |
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Dale M. Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006 Posts: 20377 Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:27 am Post subject: |
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vwracerdave wrote: |
Never put a cover on a car when towing down the road. The wind flapping the cover will damage the paint in 20-30 miles no matter how secure you attach the cover. Get an enclosed trailer or live with a wet car.
What's wrong with driving your buggy to the show? |
Ditto....... Just leave it "open" and it will dry out... If you expect it to happen a lot, you might consider carpets that do not hold water and maybe drain holes in lowest part of pan... Enclosed trailer is ultimate "wet" proof (only problem is people can't see the toys)....
Dale _________________ “Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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LeeVW Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2006 Posts: 1016
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:55 am Post subject: |
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I've driven my buggy in the rain more than I would like to admit. It always did fine. Having a roof helps a lot, but water still manages to find its way into just about everything. I would suggest wrapping any electronics you're worried about in plastic and disconnecting the battery. Don't reconnect the battery until you're sure everything's dried out. |
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Q-Dog Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2010 Posts: 8699 Location: Sunset, Louisiana
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 10:56 am Post subject: |
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I have towed mine in the rain ... driven it in the rain too. I have purposely kept my buggy simple so I don't have to worry about stuff like that.
I have no radio, no carpets, drain holes in floor, and poly seats with removable covers. When I have to tow it in the rain I just pull out the seat covers. I made a bimini type top for it hoping that would help keep the inside dry, and I still end up with seats full of water and a soaked dash when it rains. I keep a rain jacket and a towel in the car at all times in case I get caught out in the rain.
About the only way to keep the inside dry would be to have a fully enclosed/sealed top. _________________ Brian
'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle |
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herkster Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013 Posts: 428 Location: Boca Raton, FL
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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vw racer dave its a 4 hour drive and i'd rather tow it plus i'm leaving it in place in a hangar to go to three shows in the area over the next month and need something to drive home. |
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Lo Cash John Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2004 Posts: 2246 Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 7:48 pm Post subject: |
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Industrial stretch wrap. You can buy it at U-haul and other warehouse/commercial suppliers. I'm not sure what a big roll costs but it can't be to bad.
I've seen that done to SEVERAL cars on transporters heading up and down I-95. Street rods and other such hobby cars. It goes on tight, is non-abrasive and can be removed with a knife or other sharp tool when you arrive. Pretty clever I thought. _________________ www.LoCashRacing.org
More brains than bucks...Believe it or not!!
If you actually drive your VW, you need www.AirMapp.com
My boss told me I need to work on my mutli-tasking. So now when I use the bathroom at work I surf The Samba on my iPhone. |
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joescoolcustoms Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2006 Posts: 9054 Location: West By God Virginia
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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4 hour drive? I would just drive the buggy back and forth. You have to drive something for each trip anyway, might as well enjoy the buggy.
The closest show to me is 3 hours, and most are 4 to 6 away. Cheapest for me to just drive it to and from. _________________ Bad News Racing 2018 NORRA 1000 3rd in Class
Best Day Ever Racing 2022 NORRA 1000 2nd in Class and first All Female team to complete the race
Everyone is gifted. Some just do not open the package.
Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone |
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slalombuggy Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2010 Posts: 9145 Location: Canada
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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Last time I came home from Bonneville with my buggy it rained for the last 600 miles of the trip. Car was fine. I do bag my carbs for trailering though. The electrical system was fine including my gauges.
brad |
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Manx102 Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2010 Posts: 484 Location: California
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 11:04 pm Post subject: |
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Our custom made canvas cover for the Manx was tight fitting and work well rain or shine and never damage the Manx in the thousands of miles and years we used it.
_________________ "The simplest of outdoor adventures - the most treasured memories." - Bruce Meyers
54 years of "outdoor adventures" and "treasured memories" with our Manx in my gallery. |
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herkster Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013 Posts: 428 Location: Boca Raton, FL
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 5:44 am Post subject: |
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Lo Cash John,
Great thought there!
I guess you would wrap it around the car like a bandage. Over the top over the cage and below under the pan and back up. It only has to stay on for a few hours so it would be off before it could retain any water or moisture. |
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Lo Cash John Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2004 Posts: 2246 Location: Jacksonville, FL
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mr_bill Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2006 Posts: 1008 Location: City of Orange, CA
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 11:16 am Post subject: |
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When towing our Manx in what could become rainy weather ( in So. Calif this is hardly necessary ) I install a set of waterproof seat covers (available @ PRP) & then carry on !! _________________ see ya' on the trail........
"Mr Bill"
Dos Perros Motorsports
Orange, CA
1972 Class 11x/Stock Bug
'60's era "vintage" Tunnell-Buggy
"...no one here....get's out ALIVE...."
Motor = electric
Engine = internal combustion
www.facebook.com/groups/DosPerrosMotorsports
www.alrchapter132.org
www.DAV.org |
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frizzardking Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2011 Posts: 575 Location: BUFFALO N.Y
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 1:28 pm Post subject: Manx |
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I have used that wrap on a trip to the Outer Banks , from buffalo , did not work , it frayed and ended up like giant streamers on a kite , just tow if it ,gets wet bring it to a car wash and vacuum the water out , _________________ Marc “Frizzy” Frisicaro
2015 Manx Over the Falls – Buffalo New York
Buffalo, New York |
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wythac Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2004 Posts: 2791
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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I used the plastic bags my seats came in to cover them. Secured with some bungees and tape in a few spots to eliminate flapping, it worked fine. Since the seats are the only thing that really need to be kept dry, that works fine for me when I flat tow. And we get a fair amount of rain in the PNW, so this method has been dunk tested! |
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