2,600 mile tow-transaxle damage?

Stover · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 9:35 am Post subject: 2,600 mile tow-transaxle damage?

I plan to use a v.w. towbar so the rear wheels will be spinning. I thought I'd be ok if I check transaxle grease to lube rear wheel bearings. Since the trans. will be in neutral, would the grease move around enough to lube the same way as having it in a gear? It's a looong way.

microbus · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 10:10 am Post subject:

Should be fine, they are designed to be flat-towed!
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Darsh Import/ Dubsport Inc... my own VW Parts and Repair shop.
Automotive Service Technician

WD0AFQ · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 12:21 pm Post subject:

Towed my 66 swing axle 2400 miles the first trip, from Or. to Mo. Have towed it several hundred since. Not a problem.
Dan
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66 baja

http://www.danandteri.blogspot.com

teufeltito · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 1:32 pm Post subject:

one way to find out!
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1966/1959 standard: 1300cc , 6inch slammed DD

1973 standard: 1600cc, og stocker

1966 standard: incomplete volksrod w/ 2187cc

1972 transporter: incomplete slightly lowered

“A car is never too low, it’s the ground that is too high.”

PressureProjex · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 1:57 pm Post subject:

The rear bearings are lubed by the trans fluid, so top it off and you'll be good.

Stover · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 8:00 pm Post subject:

Thank you for the replies everyone. I just don't know if the transaxle grease would move around enough without being in a gear. So, I plan on doing this; Check grease level in transaxle, bring good radials and change tires ( one's on car are the original 1966 bias plies), grease front outer wheel bearings and half-ass grease inners, disconnect speedo at tire ( car only has 20,000 odd miles), and go for it. BTW, Uhaul won't rent a sled or a trailer even if I wanted as tow car is an Explorer. I've also heard of and experienced not so good things with open 10 car haulers. It's gonna be an adventure, not just a purchase!

WD0AFQ · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 8:19 pm Post subject:

That does not make sense that U haul wont rent you a dolly.
Shoot, we flat towed our 66 from Safford, Az. to Dexter, Mo, 1400 miles, with our Vibe GT.
Dan
_________________
66 baja

http://www.danandteri.blogspot.com

Michael Fischer · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 10:47 pm Post subject:

Thats just the way UHaul is. They wouldn't rent me one for my F150 cause it has a bumper hitch. I would guess it has something to do with insurance. Or maybe they don't wanna risk a lawsuit?

downsbs · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 9:21 am Post subject:

WD0AFQ · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 9:23 am Post subject:

MAYHEM · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 9:33 am Post subject:

MLTIGGER2 · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 9:34 am Post subject:

Drag0nHart · Samba Member Joined: July 09, 2010 Posts: 186

MLTIGGER2 · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:44 pm Post subject:

I towed my bug from Eugene, Oregon to Hawthorne, CA in a 1980
Chevy Monte Carlo
it was a 3800 V6 with the wonderful 2 speed automatic Rolling Eyes

We had to disconnect at the grapevine and I drove the bug up an down the grapevine with no problems, the Monte Carlo however had to stop twice on the way up due to overheating Crying or Very sad

Stover · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 6:55 pm Post subject:

Thanx again for more replies.
If money wasn't an object, I would fly to Florida, and rent a Penske truck, not Uhaul. The bed is higher and there's no wheel wells inside. I could fit a bug ( maybe a bus) in a 16 footer. unlimited mileage, shitty gas mileage, but no trailer rental. i would have to find a local guy with a hoist- penske would probably come unglued. The penske lot on my end is cool, he'd unload it no problem. Penske won't rent a car trailer unless you rent a truck from them. A big truck- dually. liability again. I'd only have to drive 2,600 miles one way. Come to think of it, cost may not be that much different. Drive both ways- $00. for gas. Stay in flea-bag motelsevery other night. With vw tow bar trip fast going, slow returning. haul trailer both ways, slow both ways. Car dollies hop when empty. probably couldn't handle 2,600 jumping around. Explore has hitch, but small 1-1/4". manual say can tow about 3,000 lbs. bug weighs half. doubt it would damage explorer trans. More worried about bug, it's almost a virgin with 20k miles. I'd be crying big time if it got thrashed. i'm gonna drive it too as it will be the closest thing my 58 year old ass will get to a time machine.like buying a slightly used car in 1969- it's a 66

Stover · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 6:56 pm Post subject:

meant to say $800 for gas two ways.

MLTIGGER2 · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:08 pm Post subject:

I believe Penske will rent the 10 foot cube vans that will tow the car dolly, at least the ones I've used have the hitch my Nephew had one he rented in New York and he towed a Chevy S10 back with the 10 footer still crappy mileage(in the 12 range), but might be cheaper than the bigger truck. But if the bigger truck is what you are thinking all you have to do is find a dock high warehouse with ramps and you can drive it onto and off of the truck.
Have you looked into auto shipping companies? After all is said and done
Gas, lodging, food it might be cheaper to have it shipped, some even have enclosed trailers. I just bought a '68 square that is down in Texas and it will be cheaper to have it shipped then to fly down and drive it back.


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