Towing a 1973 Beetle...Towbar Suggestions?

[SolomonMan]

All,
I have a 1973 Super Beetle that is in full restoration.

The engine is finished but not back in the car yet and the transmission/shafts are still attached to the car.

We moved to a new residence (40 miles away - bought another house type of thing).

Anyways I am looking at options to tow it the distance...3-5 miles is the distant out of the city...the roads are curvy once out of the city for about 5 miles and the rest is a straight shot to the house - rural the last 30 miles. I can proceed mostly under 30 mph for the whole distance but probably won't once I get to the straight shot point and most likely will have a companion vehicle following.

The vehicle has new tires and I will remove the half shafts before leaving. The body is 100% intact and there are no rust through spots thru the frame or anything.

It will be towed either with 1990 Ford E250 Mark III Conversion van (5.0L) or a 1993 GMC Sierra (5,7L). Both have class IV hitches - 2 inch balls.

I will get tow chains, if the ones I have will not work... but I am uncertain which tow bar to purchase.

I am looking at suggestions at which tow bar to buy.

If any will tow a 1973 Westphalia (Full Auto) that may be in the works in the next year or so...(Another family owned vehicle...almost 30 years now)....One vehicle at a time.

Thanks everyone.
Chris

[bluebus86]

There are Super Bug specific tow bars, standard Bug tow bars wont work.


https://www.google.com/search?q=super+beetle+tow+b...p;ie=UTF-8

the plate that is attached to the super bug body for the tow bar could possibly be attached to a Bus, but Id get confirmation of that from the Bus Forum pages at the Samba.

Good Luck, Bug On, Bus On!
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[andk5591]

As stated the super tow bar is unique. If you are not going to use it more than once, see how much a 2 wheel dolly from U-haul will cost. You dont need to remove the rear axles....I have flat towed VWs hundreds of miles with no issue. Assuming the car is a standard tranny....Don't know if flat towing a VW auto is any different...I dont think so, but don't know.

Oh wait - you said engine is not in. Have read on here that no engine can pose a problem, but I don't know that first hand.....
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[bluebus86]

[Randy in Maine]

I would just have a tow truck pick it up and deliver it to the new house. AAA?

[Randy in Maine]

I would just have a tow truck pick it up and deliver it to the new house. AAA?

[SolomonMan]

All,
Thanks for the info...This is going to be a purchase...figuring If I need to tow it in the future the 100 or so bucks will pay for itself the next time I use it.

On the Auto Transmission , from memory, you must on the Westphalia disconnect the axles...I learned the hard way on a tow by a "professional" but I have rebuilt the trans a time or two over the years...The reason from tear down was one of the bearings needed more lube and the pump/converter is not spinning during tow effectively, but the axles/transfer case is spinning, and the bearing can run partially dry.

On the Beetle AutoTrans (not a full auto transmission as the VW003 in the Westphalia) has a similar situation...

Both cases I remove the half shafts...both vehicles they have been out in the last decade or so....so "should " not be a huge issue.

I will look around...are certain ones better made then others?...Suggestions?

Thanks
Chris

[SolomonMan]

[calvinater]

might want to protect tranny from any road debris,, cardboard and ratchet strap?
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"Albatross"!

[Randy in Maine]

AAA delivered my bus from the Auto Body shop to my house a few years ago. It was about 60 miles.

[SolomonMan]

All,
Bought the Empi one...Order a set of chains...now got to wait for the break in weather.

Thanks everyone,
Chris