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carterzest
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008
Posts: 3842
Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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 Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 12:37 am Post subject: Towing a 57 SCab |
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Rolling south on Sunday to PU a 57 SCab. Have a towbar for my 74 Thing that fits over the front axle and pins in around it. I am pretty sure that it will not work on the SC, but, could not dig that out of any of my searches here. Understand that it may be totally different because of the one guy that makes them special, but, thought that I would ask as it has been about 16 years since I had my 58 Double Cargo Door Split Bus.
Thanks in advance.
PS. it is fully restored and runs/drives sweet, I just may not have a pilot vehicle driver. May have to pony up and rent a U-Haul tow dolly*Gasp*.
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joe56vw
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2004
Posts: 3202
Location: Olympia wa
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carterzest
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008
Posts: 3842
Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 1:02 am Post subject: |
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| joe56vw wrote: |
bus beams have bigger tubes then a bug
plus they sit farher back so the tow bar will be too short |
Thanks. The Thing/ Type 181 has a pretty beefy front beam as well and that is what made me want to ask. Cannot wait to show you pics in my intro post to this forum. I will get it home 
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ToolBox
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004
Posts: 3439
Location: Detroit, where they don't jack parts off my ride in the parking lot of the 7-11
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 8:36 am Post subject: |
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| carterzest wrote: |
| joe56vw wrote: |
bus beams have bigger tubes then a bug
plus they sit farher back so the tow bar will be too short |
Thanks. The Thing/ Type 181 has a pretty beefy front beam as well and that is what made me want to ask. Cannot wait to show you pics in my intro post to this forum. I will get it home |
A 181 beam is the same OD as a Bug beam it just has some additional brackets on the shock tower ends. |
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aa390392
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2007
Posts: 3602
Location: So.Cal
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 9:50 am Post subject: |
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spend the extra $ get a car hauler..imo
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getting grumpy & less tolerant!
55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
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BlastMasterMannyFresh
Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2001
Posts: 6102
Location: #31peach
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 11:33 am Post subject: |
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| aa390392 wrote: |
| spend the extra $ get a car hauler..imo |
X2
this here dc, was fully restored too.
this one here is not restored , and made it home safe
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aa390392
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2007
Posts: 3602
Location: So.Cal
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 12:08 pm Post subject: |
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when I bought my Scab those were the pics that convinced me..trailer arent that much more..IM not a Uhaul fan..but they work in a pinch
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getting grumpy & less tolerant!
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BlastMasterMannyFresh
Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2001
Posts: 6102
Location: #31peach
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 12:15 pm Post subject: |
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| aa390392 wrote: |
| when I bought my Scab those were the pics that convinced me..trailer arent that much more..IM not a Uhaul fan..but they work in a pinch |
it did work for me when I broke down that day. |
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Dave24
Samba Hack Purist
Joined: April 14, 2004
Posts: 7442
Location: Hablamos Ingles, So. Cal.
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 12:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Those DC pic.s make me sick to my stomach. I always spring for a full car trailer, especially for a new-to-me or vehicle of unknown mech. shape. Better safe than sorry, IMO. |
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rovnrev
Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2010
Posts: 119
Location: Phoenix & Tucson, AZ
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 4:07 pm Post subject: |
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| what happened to that DC? this is making me wary of flat towing the bus now. |
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aa390392
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2007
Posts: 3602
Location: So.Cal
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 4:12 pm Post subject: |
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It was on a car dolly.......and looks as if it went out of control..dollys in my mind take some getting us to, so I quit em and only use tandem trailers or a tow bar made specfic for a split.again thats IMO
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getting grumpy & less tolerant!
55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
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carterzest
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008
Posts: 3842
Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Guys. Since the SC runs and drives sweet, I have decided that I will need to have someone come with and drive my Westy back for my while I make the maided voyage home. I do not need to introduce myself to a new TS forum with such an entrance  Thanks for your input. Pics on Monday! 
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BlastMasterMannyFresh
Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2001
Posts: 6102
Location: #31peach
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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| carterzest wrote: |
| Thanks Guys. Since the SC runs and drives sweet, I have decided that I will need to have someone come with and drive my Westy back for my while I make the maided voyage home. I do not need to introduce myself to a new TS forum with such an entrance Thanks for your input. Pics on Monday! |
good luck, have fun |
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Eric&Barb
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004
Posts: 24757
Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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If you have to use a tow dolly.
Those nylon straps are to help hold the front wheels, but what really keeps the automobile front wheels on should be chains mounted on the dolly, and chained around the front beam.
Do not see any chains used on that wrecked DC....
Even with chains on, pull over at least every 50 miles to check the nylon straps and chains to make sure none of them have loosened. You will find that even with the chains the straps will loosen.
Had to use a tow dolly once in the Cascades in N. Oregon. With storm warning and probable snow coming. 40 HP crank broke due to no radius ground between main bearing journal and web! Hitched back to a small town late Sat night to be just in time to rent a U-haul moving truck and dolly. Was given no instruction, had to figure it out ourselves. Reservation police officer stopped and was so nice to help hand push our 1960 walk thru panel uphill and around to coast down the hill and onto the tow dolly.
From U-Haul website:
http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.aspx?equipment=towing-towdolly
| Quote: |
NEVER tow without properly installed tire straps
and vehicle-in-tow security chains. |
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cdennisg
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 20275
Location: Sandpoint, ID
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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| mannys66 wrote: |
| aa390392 wrote: |
| spend the extra $ get a car hauler..imo |
X2
this here dc, was fully restored too.
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I still have not heard the full story on what happened here. These pics have been posted before but with little or no explanation. It may not be that "tow dollies are bad!" it could have been a dumb ass behind the wheel of the towing vehicle.
I have used tow dollies a few times with OK results. But I prefer flat towing with known good rolling stock on the towed vehicle, or a full trailer with anything of questionable good rolling-ness. (I made that up)
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Tram
Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003
Posts: 22727
Location: Still Feelin' the Bern- Once you've felt it you can't un- feel it.
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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I've towed I don't know how many cars of all types with tow dollies. A full trailer might be better but I've seen tires blow on full trailers and cause the rig to go out of control as well.
As far as driving it- it's supposed to be 95 degrees plus on Sunday. You've never driven this or any 36hp Type 2 before. If you think you'll just hop in this thing and bomb up I-5 for two and a half hours, in this heat, with semis roaring past and all the long hills through Salem with no 36hp reduction- gear Bus experience whatsoever... you're bat- shit crazy. 
Trust me. Tow it. Get to know it in situations that aren't as apt to get you killed.
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| Bryan67 wrote: |
| Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
To best contact me, please use the EMAIL function in my profile |
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Tram
Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003
Posts: 22727
Location: Still Feelin' the Bern- Once you've felt it you can't un- feel it.
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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| cdennisg wrote: |
| mannys66 wrote: |
| aa390392 wrote: |
| spend the extra $ get a car hauler..imo |
X2
this here dc, was fully restored too.
|
I still have not heard the full story on what happened here. These pics have been posted before but with little or no explanation. It may not be that "tow dollies are bad!" it could have been a dumb ass behind the wheel of the towing vehicle.
I have used tow dollies a few times with OK results. But I prefer flat towing with known good rolling stock on the towed vehicle, or a full trailer with anything of questionable good rolling-ness. (I made that up) |
If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say that the tire on the rear wheel that blew apart went flat and the driver never noticed or just kept going.
That would cause the dolly to start rocking side to side and send things to hell in a handbasket.
Like I said up there^^^, a full trailer with a tire blowout will do the same thing and possibly could cause as much if not more damage due to higher center of gravity.
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Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
| Bryan67 wrote: |
| Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
To best contact me, please use the EMAIL function in my profile |
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carterzest
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008
Posts: 3842
Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Tram wrote: |
I've towed I don't know how many cars of all types with tow dollies. A full trailer might be better but I've seen tires blow on full trailers and cause the rig to go out of control as well.
As far as driving it- it's supposed to be 95 degrees plus on Sunday. You've never driven this or any 36hp Type 2 before. If you think you'll just hop in this thing and bomb up I-5 for two and a half hours, in this heat, with semis roaring past and all the long hills through Salem with no 36hp reduction- gear Bus experience whatsoever... you're bat- shit crazy.
Trust me. Tow it. Get to know it in situations that aren't as apt to get you killed. |
Oh Tramuel   I think I am going to do just that, only thing is I was possibly towing the 181 down that way on the towbar and was just looking for some input. I guess I can just rent the tow dolly up here, tow down and tow back. Looking into it. Also posted on my FacePlace to see if any of my peeps have a flatbed trailer I can borrow. Thanks All!
| Quote: |
| You've never driven this or any 36hp Type 2 before. |
I did own a 1958 Double Cargo door split years back and I understand your concerns 
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BlastMasterMannyFresh
Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2001
Posts: 6102
Location: #31peach
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| Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:19 am Post subject: |
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| Tram wrote: |
| cdennisg wrote: |
| mannys66 wrote: |
| aa390392 wrote: |
| spend the extra $ get a car hauler..imo |
X2
this here dc, was fully restored too.
|
I still have not heard the full story on what happened here. These pics have been posted before but with little or no explanation. It may not be that "tow dollies are bad!" it could have been a dumb ass behind the wheel of the towing vehicle.
I have used tow dollies a few times with OK results. But I prefer flat towing with known good rolling stock on the towed vehicle, or a full trailer with anything of questionable good rolling-ness. (I made that up) |
If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say that the tire on the rear wheel that blew apart went flat and the driver never noticed or just kept going.
That would cause the dolly to start rocking side to side and send things to hell in a handbasket.
Like I said up there^^^, a full trailer with a tire blowout will do the same thing and possibly could cause as much if not more damage due to higher center of gravity. |
From what I can recall I don't think the owner of the dc ever found out what caused his truck to go out of control , but from looking at this picture showing a broken nose cone and a hockey stick laying on the ground, one can speculate that maybe the dc jumped into gear as it was being towed.
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WM971252
Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2004
Posts: 1781
Location: Franklin CT
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| Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:34 am Post subject: |
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| Eric&Barb wrote: |
If you have to use a tow dolly.
Those nylon straps are to help hold the front wheels, but what really keeps the automobile front wheels on should be chains mounted on the dolly, and chained around the front beam.
Do not see any chains used on that wrecked DC....
Even with chains on, pull over at least every 50 miles to check the nylon straps and chains to make sure none of them have loosened. You will find that even with the chains the straps will loosen.
| Quote: |
NEVER tow without properly installed tire straps
and vehicle-in-tow security chains. |
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I have not seen chains on a dolly but what I think you are referring to a "safety" chains (secondary securement devices). If so they are just a backup like the chains at the hitch (of any trailer). They do nothing to hold down a car to a dolly, just catch it to prevent rollaway. In order to have chains used to tiedown you need a binder/ratchet setup. |
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