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old_man
Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2018
Posts: 1414
Location: Newfoundland
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 Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 5:41 pm Post subject: I built a tow bar |
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Well, I couldn't get a beetle one for cheap to modify so I built my own. I'm still learning to weld so I didn't have 100% confidence in my welds thus I probably over built it a bit.
These are the hook ups that came with the car.
This is my tow bar.
The noble stead. It handled quite nicely on the highway. The bar is perhaps a little low. Took it up to 110 kph (downhill) and there was no swaying or anything of the sort. Hills are....interesting.
Would I recommend someone else do this? No. I think the preferred method is where you build that tube bracket that allows you to use a regular beetle tow bar. Why? because beetle tow bars are usually more readily available to easier to borrow instead of this one off I made.
Hopefully this posts helps someone in the future. |
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pedro sainz
Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2005
Posts: 1442
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old_man
Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2018
Posts: 1414
Location: Newfoundland
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| Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: I built a tow bar |
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That's originally the one I wanted to do. I couldn't find a beetle tow bar for cheap. I also coudn't find anyone/anyway to bend that size tube without kinking it. |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 23358
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 9:53 am Post subject: Re: I built a tow bar |
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| old_man wrote: |
That's originally the one I wanted to do. I couldn't find a beetle tow bar for cheap. I also coudn't find anyone/anyway to bend that size tube without kinking it. |
I used a Super beetle tow bar as a starting point, and added 24" of 2" tubing to the length, and welded it up. The SB plate, is bolted to the bottom of the beam with U bolts. Here's some pics.
I've used this set up a few times, and have even loaned it out twice. No issues with it at all.
Note: These pics were before I trimmed the U bolts down.
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22659
Location: Escondido CA
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 23358
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 11:30 am Post subject: Re: I built a tow bar |
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| old_man wrote: |
Well, I couldn't get a beetle one for cheap to modify so I built my own. I'm still learning to weld so I didn't have 100% confidence in my welds thus I probably over built it a bit.
These are the hook ups that came with the car.
This is my tow bar.
The noble stead. It handled quite nicely on the highway. The bar is perhaps a little low. Took it up to 110 kph (downhill) and there was no swaying or anything of the sort. Hills are....interesting.
Would I recommend someone else do this? No. I think the preferred method is where you build that tube bracket that allows you to use a regular beetle tow bar. Why? because beetle tow bars are usually more readily available to easier to borrow instead of this one off I made.
Hopefully this posts helps someone in the future. |
That tow bar looks like it must weigh a ton. Probably needs 2 men and a boy just to pick it up. Definitely over kill.
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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old_man
Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2018
Posts: 1414
Location: Newfoundland
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| Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 1:24 pm Post subject: Re: I built a tow bar |
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| Bobnotch wrote: |
That tow bar looks like it must weigh a ton. Probably needs 2 men and a boy just to pick it up. Definitely over kill. |
Over kill - Yes, probably.
Weights a lot - Yes, but I can carry it myself.
Hook up? - I can do it myself. I just slide it under the front and then it 'levers' easily into place.
1/8" 2" square tube. Irony being that I chose this route over a tow dolly because of weight. Dollies are heavy..... |
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Erik G
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2002
Posts: 13545
Location: Tejas!
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22659
Location: Escondido CA
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| Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 1:56 pm Post subject: Re: I built a tow bar |
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| Erik G wrote: |
| after seeing a very nice beetle wrecked using a standard towbar, I don't think it's overkill at all. |
True that.
_________________
| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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old_man
Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2018
Posts: 1414
Location: Newfoundland
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| Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 2:34 pm Post subject: Re: I built a tow bar |
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| I there a link to this misfortune? I wish to learn. |
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ALLWAGONS
Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2000
Posts: 4612
Location: Pasadena CA/DTLA soon China
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| Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: I built a tow bar |
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Pretty awesome towbar Me Oldman!
Martin
Allwagons
_________________
I'd be UNSTOPPABLE if not for Law Enforcement and PHYSICS.
I recycle old cars and parts, other than when I rot, that's as Green as I am going to get.
Thanks to my Tesla driving neighbors, I feel more relaxed driving my SUBURBAN and old VW's.
Everything sounds good on paper! |
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