Where to put Beetle tow lights?

[harrymarlin]

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.
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-Harry
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1967 Ruby Red Convertible Beetle ("Becky")
ISO Albuquerque "Imported Motors" dealership paraphernalia

[WM971252]

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).

[bigdog1962]

I bungee cord mine to the rear bumper and they have padding that keeps them from scratching. I bought them from Harbor Freight.
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Oprn wrote: I'm getting to the age that any self propelled woman (no wheel chair or walker) looks HOT!! Oooo! look at that Babe! She made it from the dining room all the way to the TV room without help!! Hubba, hubba!!

[esde]

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..

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modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that.

[slayer61]

[harrymarlin]

Thanks, everyone for the pictures, comments, and ideas. I'll work on mine, and see what works best based on those!
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-Harry
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1967 Ruby Red Convertible Beetle ("Becky")
ISO Albuquerque "Imported Motors" dealership paraphernalia

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

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.

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.

.
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[67rustavenger]

[harrymarlin]

[67rustavenger]

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.
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I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin!
Don't let your bad ideas remain, ideas!

[harrymarlin]

[67rustavenger]

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.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin!
Don't let your bad ideas remain, ideas!

[vwracerdave]

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.
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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

[OldSchoolVW's]

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.
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Tom

"Following distance is proportional to IQ."

"It's okay to think."

"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do." Warren Miller

'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback