Transporting a VW Beetle on a pickup truck

[actualsurfer]

Hey Y'all,

Long time lurker. and new member. I just purchased a beautiful '63 beetle in upstate NY. I need to get it to SF Bay area, CA.

I actually contracted with Jeff from Four Corners. He has been great but the shipping situation is crazy and nobody has grabbed my load @ $1750...I cant pay more than that.

My brother is traveling from NY to CA with his Dodge Ram Pickup full sized bed.

He said, "Just put it in the back and Ill drive it across"

I'd much rather pay my brother since he is driving anyway. I figured we would block up the wheels so the pans wont hit the tire wells of the truck. The rear would be "forward" so the weight is forward and the front tires would be on "C" channel hanging out the back of the bed.

Does anyone know of anyone who has tried this?

I searched in many places on the net but no luck finding any examples. I am not worried about the weight...just the logistics.

Any advice is appreciated.

[Pruneman99]

My god man. Just rent a four wheel trailer..

[Who.Me?]

People have done it with splitty single cabs, so I don't see why it couldn't be done with a modern pickup with a long enough bed.

The pictures I've seen (including below of my single cab when owned by a previous owner) involve carrying it as a shell though. Wheels off.

Loading and unloading must have involved a forklift or similar.

Sounds like a real pain to do if the beetle is on its wheels. In my picture below the body was a bare shell but you can see that the wheels wouldn't have fitted on the bed.

I'd rent a trailer like the previous poster said.

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Andy


Looking for info on my truck's history. Are you from Campbell California or nearby. Do you recognise it? ... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=636786

[Abscate]

[Mickey bitsko]

Is it possible, is it legal, is it safe? Why not put it in the truck for a test run, doesn't seem too difficult .

The shipping professionals on here are many it would seem.

[calvinater]

Just make sure you put a red flag on the front bumper.
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"Albatross"!

[gt1953]

Tow Bar and flat tow it. Safer easier legal.
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Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[Letterman7]

^ or a two wheel tow dolly. Just make sure the transmission is in neutral.

[actualsurfer]

Thanks for all the advice.

As far as legality is concerned, I dont know why it wouldnt be? As long as it fits and is under the weight capacity of the truck.

Loading it there would be with some heavy equipment he has access to.

All things considered...A tow dolly or VW tow bar would be the safest and most practical.

My brother is stubborn...once he gets an idea in his head...He loves the idea of the VW on the back and I never tell him how to load his truck!

Going to look into the tow dolly.

QUESTION...With the VW in neutral, are there any concerns with the rear wheels on the ground?

[Q-Dog]

The car is about 13.5' long, about 5' wide, and about 1600 lbs.

Rent a UHaul.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[Abscate]

[VW_Jimbo]

If you have any wheel of the towed vehicle on the road, the car has to be current on registration.

So, if the registration is not up to date, either get it paid for before towing with the tow bar or get the car off the ground, somehow!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[bigdog1962]

Last time I used a Uhaul, it was a little sketchy getting it off the rails. I wish the rails were wider, closer together or just a solid sheet (flatbed). I've tried finding a flatbed for rent around here but nobody has one.

I use the towbar.
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Oprn wrote: I'm getting to the age that any self propelled woman (no wheel chair or walker) looks HOT!! Oooo! look at that Babe! She made it from the dining room all the way to the TV room without help!! Hubba, hubba!!

[Q-Dog]

I towed plenty of VWs but I wouldn't tow one that I had not personally driven on the highway myself. The car isn't as small as you think and you could hurt something just trying to put it into the truck.

Just rent a UHaul and get your "beautiful '63 Beetle" home in one piece.

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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[danfromsyr]

just toss it on the roof.

and why on gods green earth would a California buyer buy from a North East seller? you have all the good ones over there.

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[Who.Me?]

[sportin-wood]

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Paused 66 project bug
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"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli

[TDCTDI]

Here’s an idea, let him drive the Beetle & fly him back.
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Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[Abscate]

[Joe 20]

What could go wrong....
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"Someday the world is gonna be populated by nothing but Volkswagens'" Corporal Klairvoy