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DaVonZip Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2007 Posts: 734 Location: Fort Myers Florida
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:13 am Post subject: Towing a 77' w/ an Automatic ..w/ bus tow bar? |
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I read that you have to tow an automatic bus backwards if your using a tow dolly, but what about a bus tow bar ? If its in neutral etc. anyone w/ experience please let me know. Thanks
Rick
update: more searching i came up with this, seem correct?
"Not supposed to tow the bus on its own for very far or very fast if it has an automatic transmission, something about it getting hot. It's in the Owner's Manual. You can work around this by disconnecting the CV joints at the wheel hub and wire them up out of the way. Then you can tow it freewheeled as far as you like then". _________________ -No, the point is, it's your frickin car. Drive it. park it, light the bitch on fire-- it's not for us to say. (samba member)
-For once in my life, i'd like to get up in the morning and be as happy as my pennis is... (samba member)
Last edited by DaVonZip on Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:27 am; edited 2 times in total |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15144 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:18 am Post subject: Re: Towing a 77' Automatic Bay w/ bus tow bar |
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NO, you can't tow an automatic in either direction with the rear wheels on the ground (axles installed)
if you want to tow it flat, you need to remove the axles. _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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jtauxe Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2004 Posts: 5780 Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:21 am Post subject: Re: Towing a 77' Automatic Bay w/ bus tow bar |
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And towing a 77-foot bus is going to be a problem, regardless.
But seriously, you should use a flatbed or full trailer that keeps all the wheels off the ground. AAA will provide a flatbed if you ask for it. _________________ John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD
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Bala Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003 Posts: 2613 Location: Austin, TX
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:25 am Post subject: Re: Towing a 77' Automatic Bay w/ bus tow bar |
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You can tow with a tow bar if you keep it under about 30mph. I've done it for a short distance with no damage done. For longer/faster trips I would just get a trailer though. _________________ 1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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DaVonZip Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2007 Posts: 734 Location: Fort Myers Florida
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:25 am Post subject: Re: Towing a 77' Automatic Bay w/ bus tow bar |
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So if i undo the cv joints at wheels, specifically just the REAR, i am good to go, correct ?
thanks _________________ -No, the point is, it's your frickin car. Drive it. park it, light the bitch on fire-- it's not for us to say. (samba member)
-For once in my life, i'd like to get up in the morning and be as happy as my pennis is... (samba member) |
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jtauxe Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2004 Posts: 5780 Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:32 am Post subject: Re: Towing a 77' Automatic Bay w/ bus tow bar |
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DaVonZip wrote: |
So if i undo the cv joints at wheels, specifically just the REAR, i am good to go, correct ?
thanks |
Yes, if you disconnect the axles at the wheels (may as well remove the entire axles) then you are fine. _________________ John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD
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Bala Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003 Posts: 2613 Location: Austin, TX
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:33 am Post subject: Re: Towing a 77' w/ an Automatic ..w/ bus tow bar? |
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Yep, but, I would completely remove them if it was me. Especially if the boots are looking worn. Would be a good time to replace them
*edit* JT beat me to it! _________________ 1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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VDubTech Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2002 Posts: 9142 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:38 am Post subject: Re: Towing a 77' Automatic Bay w/ bus tow bar |
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danfromsyr wrote: |
NO, you can't tow an automatic in either direction with the rear wheels on the ground (axles installed)
if you want to tow it flat, you need to remove the axles. |
Volkswagen would disagree with you. You can flat tow an automatic Bus with no problems at all provided you keep it under 30mph per the Owner's Manual. Any faster than that and you should remove the axles before towing it. _________________ First Trip in the RustyBus:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279077&highlight=
borninabus wrote: |
a measurement of your rod would be extremely useful. |
notchboy wrote: |
my dad wasnt a belittling cock when he tought me how to wrench on cars. |
EverettB wrote: |
One photo = good for reference.
10 photos = douchebaggery |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15144 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:59 am Post subject: Re: Towing a 77' w/ an Automatic ..w/ bus tow bar? |
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yeah I did, & do know this and the rule is 30 under 30. which while not impossible, I deam improbable. And at what risk, loss and rebuild of the transmission. too great IMO. what if it's been sitting high & dry for XX years, is it still 30 under 30 or less?
my answer is no, VWs answer is kinda,
one of the potential failures is the governor shafts seize and shear from lack of lubrication while turning coupled to the differential portion. there's a few accounts of this failing while coasting in neutral down hills/mtns. so even if you had the engine running you can't go more than 30 over 30.
here's from the 1977 owners manual.
_________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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WM971252 Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2004 Posts: 1781 Location: Franklin CT
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:01 am Post subject: Re: Towing a 77' Automatic Bay w/ bus tow bar |
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VDubTech wrote: |
Volkswagen would disagree with you. You can flat tow an automatic Bus with no problems at all provided you keep it under 30mph per the Owner's Manual. Any faster than that and you should remove the axles before towing it. |
Do remember that statement was made as AAA calls it "in like new condition".
Automatic ass up or pull axles, and yes you can dolly (sling/wheel lift) from the rear and be fine (secure steering wheel). |
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72lowslow Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2015 Posts: 138 Location: Delaware
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:16 am Post subject: Re: Towing a 77' w/ an Automatic ..w/ bus tow bar? |
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Go U Haul is the cheapest and safe way, you don't want find you self if is true or not, pulling that way. Good luck
Balt. _________________ If you want to get into this hobby better you have a very strong strong wallet. |
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DaVonZip Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2007 Posts: 734 Location: Fort Myers Florida
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 10:11 am Post subject: Re: Towing a 77' w/ an Automatic ..w/ bus tow bar? |
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thanks everyone.. axles removed completely and bar on and heading out now for a three hour haul... all the best.. Rick _________________ -No, the point is, it's your frickin car. Drive it. park it, light the bitch on fire-- it's not for us to say. (samba member)
-For once in my life, i'd like to get up in the morning and be as happy as my pennis is... (samba member) |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50348
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: Towing a 77' w/ an Automatic ..w/ bus tow bar? |
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I had a very experience car hauler pick up a high mileage bus from me years ago and loaded it backwards on a dolly because of the automatic. He called about a dozen miles down the road asking for help turning it around as it had been swaying every which of way. Not saying others haven't done this successfully, but from that experience I would suggest that people think twice about towing a bus arse end first using a dolly. |
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VDubTech Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2002 Posts: 9142 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: Towing a 77' w/ an Automatic ..w/ bus tow bar? |
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Wildthings wrote: |
I had a very experience car hauler pick up a high mileage bus from me years ago and loaded it backwards on a dolly because of the automatic. He called about a dozen miles down the road asking for help turning it around as it had been swaying every which of way. Not saying others haven't done this successfully, but from that experience I would suggest that people think twice about towing a bus arse end first using a dolly. |
I agree 100%. At that point spend the extra $10 at Uhaul and get the car carrier. _________________ First Trip in the RustyBus:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279077&highlight=
borninabus wrote: |
a measurement of your rod would be extremely useful. |
notchboy wrote: |
my dad wasnt a belittling cock when he tought me how to wrench on cars. |
EverettB wrote: |
One photo = good for reference.
10 photos = douchebaggery |
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