Uhaul auto transport trailer for a VW Bus?

pcm2a

I may be traveling a few hundred miles to purchase my first VW bus. The Uhaul site lets me put in the vehicle that I'm wanting to tow back and tells me that their auto transport trailer (all 4 wheels off the ground, not a dolly) will handle it.

Has anyone ever rented one of these and can confirm that a old bus will fit?

Can anyone confirm these wheel base and width requirements?
Must have a maximum outside-to-outside tire width of 79.25" Note: outside tire width over 75" must use late-model U-Haul Auto Transport (identifiable by silver galvanized color).
Must have a maximum wheelbase (distance from front axle to rear axle, usually posted on the driver's side door jamb) of 133 inches.

Thanks!

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50338

The bus is short and narrow, it will fit.

VWsArent4Hippies · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 7:06 am Post subject:

Yep, just used one a couple weeks ago.

bugger101 · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 7:11 am Post subject:

yes it fits Very Happy

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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75 west deluxe http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5270450#5270450

2010 ford focus

ChuxBus · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 8:11 am Post subject:

position the bus on the trailer in such a way as to keep the trailer's tongue weight within spec... that minivan looks as though it wishes the bus were a foot or two further back on the trailer.
_________________
-Chuck
1978 Bus & 1969 Bug
"Don't make a fuss, just get on the bus" -Frank Zappa

pcm2a · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 8:12 am Post subject:

I'll be using an Avalanche, so hopefully it does better than a minivan.

That image with it on the trailer is awesome! Why put it on backwards instead of forwards?

VanagonBob · Samba Member Joined: April 18, 2011 Posts: 26 Location: pa

Works well. Keep in mind the Uhaul trailer says it weighs 2100 (or something silly) empty, almost as much as a empty bus. Some poeple load backwards because the rear of a bus weighs more than the front. Helps with wiggle. I loaded mine front first and towed with a Suburban. Good luck!

bugger101 · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 10:42 am Post subject:

the minivan towed the bus very well just keep the speed at 65 anything above will get you massive swaying especially if a semi passes you
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75 west deluxe http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5270450#5270450

2010 ford focus

Sage79 · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 11:18 am Post subject:

I used one to get mine home (see my Avatar). Make sure U-Haul will allow your tow vehicle. I used a 1-ton shop truck because they wouldn't allow my Equinox.
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Dirk
'79 Westy 2.0FI
'73 Sportsmobile 1.7dual Solex 003Auto - now my daughter's
'77 delux 2.0FI 090Auto - now my son's

babysnakes · Samba Member Joined: August 19, 2008 Posts: 7106

I used the U-haul tow dolly twice, one trip was 150 miles the 2nd was close to 500. I used the auto transport trailer for a slammed bus that was to low for the dolly. They both work well.

Anchovy · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 1:20 pm Post subject:

The Uhaul works fine.

I suggest loading the bus front-first so you don't overload the tongue. The bus is far enough forward on the trailer that the weight distribution is good this way too. If you have a camper, be sure to strap down the top for added security.

OG Velvet · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 1:56 pm Post subject:

ewdb92 · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 5:16 pm Post subject:

Might as well throw mine up here too. Worked great! Tho driving it up and down was adventurous Very Happy

One note on direction of loading the bus. the pop tops have been known to blow up and off, so I think it's better to load the bus so the wind won't catch the top. I know of a bus that lost it's top after it went under a bridge Shocked

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Erik
71 Camper
http://zerotosixtyeventually.wordpress.com/

bugger101 · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 7:17 am Post subject:

MarcusAK · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 8:42 am Post subject:

I want to try using my tow dolly to pull a 72 camper today. I am mostly unsure of the truck I am using....

I have a V6 Toyota Tacoma in great shape, with a aftermarket trailer hitch weldeed to the frame. I have hauled soil, snowmachines, firewood, several bugs, a Sqaureback and a 54 pickup with it, using a U haul trailer (all 4 up). And never had a problem. I even replaced the front brake pads/rotors yesterday. But I am unsure about a 3000 lb bus.... and I have a few decent hills to climb, and about 50 miles to go.

Any opinions? I have a V8 rental truck and 4-up trailer reserved for tomorrow, but thats pretty expensive and I'd like to avoid it if I can. Or a tow truck fee. (I still have a Squareback and a Dodge Coronet to pull too)

_________________
One thing they don't tell you in any of the manuals is about the blood sacrifice required to keep them alive.

Engines run on fuel. Motors run on electricity or springs. But I know what you mean.

Type 1's- 1960 Bug, 65 Bugbus
Type 2's- 1954 single cab, 72 Westy, 72 European import Arcomobile aka "The Swiss Miss," 76 Custom camper aka "Big Blue"
Type 3- black 64 Squareback

drober23 · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 9:08 am Post subject:

The bus will ride on a 2-wheel dolly just fine. Not sure how heavy a Tacoma is, but I suspect if you go nice and slow you will be ok. Bring some extra tires/wheels with you! I always seem to blow a couple towing an unknown bus.

If it's automatic, you will want to remove the drive shafts. Otherwise, just put it in neutral and tow her home.
_________________
DJ

'75 Westfalia, '79 Deluxe, and some others...
(more busses than sense)

In a time of chimpanzees I was a monkey

JetBus · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 9:43 am Post subject:

I prefer my 18 foot Carson for hauling but when its oneway long distance the U-Haul works fine. Just remember to drive slow as the U-Hauls draw attention from the Highway Patrol when they are hauling ass.

Northern California after paint:

Southern California before paint:

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1972 Bay Bus, 1976 2.0

Stuff that's hidden and murky and ambiguous is scary because you don't know what it does.
Jerry Garcia

It took the hippies 38 years to mess it up, it's gonna take me a few months to get it fixed. Be patient my son. Dad

Lionhart94010 · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 9:46 am Post subject:

IMO, towing it with a 2 wheel dolly may work well, as you do not have the weight of the trailer added to the bus… I do not know if the 2 wheel has it own brakes? As would a 4-UP, I would check the max tow weight for the hitch and truck, and keep to what is recommended… in that way if there is an accident you will not automatically be at fault for not having to have been on the road in the first place…

U-haul 4-Ups work great for buses if you have the rig to safely tow it with :0)
_________________
Current VWs 71 T2 Westy SO-72/6(Miami), 71 Crew Cab, 2015 GSW TDI
Other owned VW’s 59, 68 1500s, 69 & 71 Bug’s; 72 & 73 S-Bug’s; 67 Westy, 67 Deluxe, Other 71 DC, 72 KG GT that now lives in Australia, 12 JSW TDI, 2015 GSW TDI, 2023 Tiguan
VW technical information sights
thesamba - www.ratwell.com - www.shoptalkforums.com/ - www.vw-resource.com - http://www.type2.com/
http://bobhooversblog.blogspot.com/ - www.aircooled.net/gnrlsite/resource/articles.htm

dreadnotmusic · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 10:11 am Post subject:

Please consider the extra braking room you're going to need when hauling that thing. I couldn't believe how much the trailer pushed my Dodge tow rig around. An emergency stop locked up all four tires on the trailer and I still pushed right through an intersection. Scary.

_________________
66 Riviera

MarcusAK · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 10:24 am Post subject:

Fortunetly I don't have to go through town. The scariest downhill is probably my driveway. I wouldnt go more than 45 mph in any situation- there are plenty of passing zones. I cant get it into neutral right now- I think the tranny is stuck from sitting so long, so I am going to work it out of its hole and then check everything out before trying with the dolly. If its stuck good, or gives me any other problems today, I will abort and wait for the truck tomorrow.

Let you know how it works out in a few hours!
_________________
One thing they don't tell you in any of the manuals is about the blood sacrifice required to keep them alive.

Engines run on fuel. Motors run on electricity or springs. But I know what you mean.

Type 1's- 1960 Bug, 65 Bugbus
Type 2's- 1954 single cab, 72 Westy, 72 European import Arcomobile aka "The Swiss Miss," 76 Custom camper aka "Big Blue"
Type 3- black 64 Squareback


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Uhaul auto transport trailer for a VW Bus?
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