TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Dec 19, 2023 10:40 am

I'm looking to flat tow my Beetle, but I'm uncertain where to put the tow lights, as the magnets work best on a flat surface, which my convertible Beetle does not have a lot of.

Perhaps I should be using a different type of tow light? Are there types I can clip to my bumper, or put in the rear window?

Ideas on how I can ensure I don't scratch the paint? I would rather not modify the wiring in the car - although it would be great if I could just use the existing lights.

Tue Dec 19, 2023 2:47 pm

Past Tow truck driver and have used "draglights" for years so I know. I have also moved many a bug included my own.

The easiest place to attach tow lights is on the rear sides just after the 1/4 windows (it gives you ears). It is best to have ones that have a pivot between the base and the light. To protect the paint first make sure your magnets are clean and stay clean. You can use stuff like wax paper or crash wrap (the white stuff on wrecks to cover the holes) but the easiest is a piece of paper (steno pads are a perfect size).

Wed Dec 20, 2023 5:53 am

I bungee cord mine to the rear bumper and they have padding that keeps them from scratching. I bought them from Harbor Freight.

Wed Dec 20, 2023 6:01 am

I made a bar for the back of my vert as the magnetic lights kept falling off. It's just a length of uni-strut, with the lights mounted to each end. I've got some J-bolts that go down through it to hook the bumper bracket, and I throw a shop rag under it so it doesn't scratch the bumper. One light is plastic wrapped as the lens was busted after hitting there ground..

Wed Dec 20, 2023 8:19 am

esde wrote: I made a bar for the back of my vert as the magnetic lights kept falling off. It's just a length of uni-strut, with the lights mounted to each end. I've got some J-bolts that go down through it to hook the bumper bracket, and I throw a shop rag under it so it doesn't scratch the bumper. One light is plastic wrapped as the lens was busted after hitting there ground..

I have a home made rig just like that, that I use padded strut straps (cush clamps) and clamp it right to the roll cage in the buggy.

Fri Dec 22, 2023 9:38 am

Thanks, everyone for the pictures, comments, and ideas. I'll work on mine, and see what works best based on those!

Mon Dec 25, 2023 3:19 pm

When I was building my Dune Buggy.. it was going to be flat towed more than any VW I've ever owned...
I created a fused umbilical from the truck trailer harness to the factory VW circuits to be able to use the VW mounted (1967) lights on the fiberglass body.
EXAMPLE
Trailer tail lights to VW tail
Trailer turns to left and right to VW left and right

Works fairly flawlessly... unless you have serious OCD issues. :lol:

The only hiccups it uses the rear turn signals of the VW for both turn and stop.
It also back feeds and illuminates the front turns with turn and stop.
IMO.. works well as side turn markers.
Also... depending on park light configuration... it can illuminate front parks via rear back feeding tail circuits trough the headlight switch..... again, works well for markers IMO.

All that can be worked around with some relays and or diodes.. but I prefer the simple. I now pre wire all my VWs this way.

.

Mon Dec 25, 2023 4:05 pm

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: When I was building my Dune Buggy.. it was going to be flat towed more than any VW I've ever owned...
I created a fused umbilical from the truck trailer harness to the factory VW circuits to be able to use the VW mounted (1967) lights on the fiberglass body.
EXAMPLE
Trailer tail lights to VW tail
Trailer turns to left and right to VW left and right

Works fairly flawlessly... unless you have serious OCD issues. :lol:

The only hiccups it uses the rear turn signals of the VW for both turn and stop.
It also back feeds and illuminates the front turns with turn and stop.
IMO.. works well as side turn markers.
Also... depending on park light configuration... it can illuminate front parks via rear back feeding tail circuits trough the headlight switch..... again, works well for markers IMO.

All that can be worked around with some relays and or diodes.. but I prefer the simple. I now pre wire all my VWs this way.

.
I did the same 20+ years ago. I was towing my 69 Baja behind my pickup, and got tired of renting tow lights.

I don't remember the details, but there was a little experimentation involved to get the lights to work correctly and play well with the pickup trailer plug.

Now I have a set of bluetooth wireless tow lights that take all of 3 minutes to attach to the car and insert into the truck trailer plug. The lights are magnetic and rubber covers protect the paint. The whole package stores in a well padded plastic container.

Tue Dec 26, 2023 4:25 pm

67rustavenger wrote: Now I have a set of bluetooth wireless tow lights that take all of 3 minutes to attach to the car and insert into the truck trailer plug. The lights are magnetic and rubber covers protect the paint. The whole package stores in a well padded plastic container.

What bluetooth wireless tow lights are you using? I would like to look into if that would work best for me, as well.

Tue Dec 26, 2023 4:41 pm

https://www.harborfreight.com/magnetic-led-wireless-towing-light-kit-58469.html?_br_psugg_q=towing
No wires taped to the car body. Just plug the sender into the trailer light socket and power up the rechargeable tow lights.

Tue Dec 26, 2023 5:24 pm

67rustavenger wrote: https://www.harborfreight.com/magnetic-led-wireless-towing-light-kit-58469.html?_br_psugg_q=towing
No wires taped to the car body. Just plug the sender into the trailer light socket and power up the rechargeable tow lights.

Where do you attach them?

Tue Dec 26, 2023 5:40 pm

I have a sedan. I place them just aft of the rear quarter windows.

For a cabrio, you can make metal brackets that attach to the bumper support brackets.
Or you can mount the lights as close to the top of the rear fender arch on the body of the car as you can.

Wed Dec 27, 2023 12:04 am

Don't overthink this. Lay a 2x4 across the rear bumper and brackets. Used a couple Bunji cords to hold it down. Forget about the magnets and screw the lights onto the 2x4. Simple, cheap, and easy.

Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:00 pm

Just wanted to throw my solution into this discussion for anyone working on this project …

The bumper brackets for ’68-’72 bugs already have these holes in them. (I’m not sure what they are intended for, but someone will enlighten us.)

I bought a couple of Simpson A311 angle brackets at Home Depot https://www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-Strong-Tie-3-5.../100375057 , drilled holes in them to align with the holes in the bumper brackets and attached them with 1/4”x 1” bolts, fender washers, lock washers and wing nuts (quick and easy to mount).

The angle bracket can be twisted using using a pipe wrench after it is securely attached to the bumper bracket.

The towing lights have a magnetic base, which grabs the angle bracket pretty well, but I used ball bungees to help secure them.

Final result (the tow lights are about 6” higher than the taillights):

I secure the wiring to the passenger door handle and tow bar with velcro straps. It’s a pretty minimalist set up … everything fits in a shoebox when not in use and it’s quick and easy to install.

Hope this is helpful.