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Wed Apr 06, 2016 10:41 am

I have to tow my bug from Texas to Massachusetts, behind a 10 ft uhaul truck. It's a '72 manual that runs and has new tires. I have never towed with one of those dolleys that the front wheels sit on, so I have a few questions.
Just leaving the car in neutral does not cause any damage to the transmission, right?
Should I leave the steering wheel locked, or unlocked?
Can I go 70mph? Or do I need to go slower? 60 or 65 max?
Are there any other tips or things to look out for? I don't want to damage my car, and I really don't want anyone to get hurt, so any bits of advice are welcome and appreciated.

Wed Apr 06, 2016 10:58 am

Bredberger wrote: Just leaving the car in neutral does not cause any damage to the transmission, right?

Correct. make sure parking brake is off.

Bredberger wrote: I have never towed with one of those dolleys that the front wheels sit on, so I have a few questions. Should I leave the steering wheel locked, or unlocked?

That won't matter, because those wheels will not touch the ground !!!

Have you investigated by a VW tow bar, and use that behind the U-Haul? I bet that would be easier and less expensive, plus you'd own the tow bar. Note that Super Beetle and standard beetle tow bars are different !!

Wed Apr 06, 2016 11:11 am

I used the tow dolly to move my car about 40 miles a while back. The dolly has its own pivot when you turn, so you would want to lock your steering wheel in the straight ahead position. I can't remember if the pivot has a lock position on it or not?
I wondered when I towed mine if I could have backed on to the tow dolly and locked my steering wheel straight, if that would have been better? More weight on the dolly, and no stress on your transmission? I would say ask the U-Haul people, but I doubt they know anything about an old beetle and what would work best.

Wed Apr 06, 2016 11:14 am

Thanks, Cusser
I wasn't sure if the front wheels needed to still let the back wheels pivot around the dolley through turns.
I do have a vw Tow bar. But my front end alignment is pretty out of whack, and the tow bar itself is in need of an overhaul. I wouldn't really feel good about using it over so large a distance just yet.
So is speed more a "play it by ear", or should I stick to 60?

Wed Apr 06, 2016 11:33 am

Beetlenut
I agree I'm going to double check everything with the uhaul guy, but I expect he doesn't know much in the way of old bugs. I thought it would be best to check with the experts first.

Wed Apr 06, 2016 11:56 am

Bredberger wrote: Thanks, Cusser
I wasn't sure if the front wheels needed to still let the back wheels pivot around the dolley through turns.
I do have a vw Tow bar. But my front end alignment is pretty out of whack, and the tow bar itself is in need of an overhaul. I wouldn't really feel good about using it over so large a distance just yet.
So is speed more a "play it by ear", or should I stick to 60?

A tow bar probably wouldn't work, due the the height diff (depending on the truck). I brought a Bug from Hartford, CT to Chicago on a dolly. No problems.
As for speed, as long as the car is secure on the dolly, and the dolly secure to the truck, go as fast as you'd like. Or as fast as the U-Haul truck will go, which will be about 65. :lol:

Wed Apr 06, 2016 12:08 pm

Since I can't think of a route between the two that doesn't involve mountains, I'd suggest spending a few more bucks and rent a flatbed trailer instead of a dolly. Most have surge brakes as well, which are very nice for slowing down in the mountains, even with a light vehicle like a Beetle. Price difference should be small, but the benefit for that long of a drive is HUGE.

If you blow a back tire on your Beetle while the fronts are on a dolly, you may not know for MILES and by then, you will have caused a lot of damage. I've seen it happen. One had a trail of sparks about 20 feet because the tire shredded off and it rode on the rim. Driver didn't see it because it was day time and the truck blocked his view of the car.

Wed Apr 06, 2016 12:29 pm

I second a flatbed for that kind of distance. I had a rear wheel bearing go out when I was flat towing my Baja. I was towing it behind my 5th wheel so I couldn't see it. Know telling how many people drove by and didn't try to flag me down. Finally, an old lady did, but by that time it had destroyed the trailing arm, stub axle and brakes.

Wed Apr 06, 2016 12:48 pm

^ ^^ Owch.

uHaul's car trailers are decent and not much more expensive than the dolly iirc, used one to haul a Ford Galaxie 500 last year (pic).
Might be something to think about; call uHaul and see what size truck they'll allow to pull the trailer with a bug on it, they've got a lookup chart.

It's hard to beat all four tires off the road for peace of mind.

edit - was curious width-wise, as the bugs are a bit narrower than average.
Looks like they fit, if just barely - http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=597094

Wed Apr 06, 2016 5:11 pm

It's a tight fit on a UHaul trailer, but it works.

Wed Apr 06, 2016 6:42 pm

personally i'd fix the front end and use the tow bar....i flat towed from new york to florida every year for over 20 years...also made an adapter to use a regular bug tow bar on 2 different sciroccos....if you dont feel the car is roadworthy, go for a trailer... at least you can back up a trailer...my last choice would be the dolly....but if you do use it, DO NOT lock the column....the one year we dragged my wifes fwd automatic caravan to florida cause there was too much baby crap to put in the vw we used a dolly....and proceded to bend the tongue on a tight turn in a gas station....cause even though the beds on some dollys swivel, its not enough to match the angle the car will be on in a real tight turn

Wed Apr 06, 2016 6:49 pm

I'd also recommend a trailer vs. tow dolly. You won't incur any wear and tear on your bug. Just plan on burning a bit more fuel as those U-haul trailers are HEAVY.

I drove from Phoenix to LA and back to pick up my 67 bug with a Ford F-250 truck and the U-haul trailer. By the time I got home and added up the fuel bills and my time, it would have been cheaper to pay a hauling company to bring it to me.

Something to keep in mind.

Wed Apr 06, 2016 7:38 pm

I vote for the flatbed trailer as well. Just make sure you're paying attention when driving on or have someone guide you. It's a tight fit.

Also, the driverside fender will fold down on the trailer. Do this before you load the car. Otherwise when you go to get out you could be an idiot like me and smack your door into the trailer fender :oops:

Thu Apr 07, 2016 6:48 am

Advantage of flatbed is no wear and tear on the VW. Safer too.
Disadvantage fuel cost.

Thu Apr 07, 2016 7:42 am

I flat towed a '71 bug from FL to VA years ago with old dry rotted "MAYPOP" tires - sweated they whole trip. 20 years later I towed the now transformed Porsche Speedster replica back to FL (retired there). Towed with a 4 cyl vehicle both ways with no issues - 1k miles one way. Go to Harbor Freight and buy the magnetic towing lights (about $10) for added safety.

Thu Apr 07, 2016 12:20 pm

I had flat towed for years (and still do occasionally) before I had my wheel bearing incident. Luckily for me there were junk yards and shops around that I could get all the parts I needed, and I could do the work myself. Even so, it took a couple of days out of my vacation. I could not imagine having this happening to anyone on an already stressful situation such as a move. That's why for this one time, I chime in flatbed.