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What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies?
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Bleu 72 Super
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 7:01 pm    Post subject: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

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I harbor a bit of a fear. What happens if my 1972 Beetle breaks down and I am far from home--say an hour or more. Here at home the guy who restored my Beetle could take care of any problem. But what if you are in the middle of NOWHERE??? How do you ever find someone to fix your Beetle?

I know many Samba folks would jump out and fix the car themselves. But I am not one of those people. I know a wrench from a screwdriver, but have no confidence to use either one on my Beetle. Surely there must be others who have this same fear. Any suggestions?

I have Hagerty Insurance with "Club" coverage. This would get my car towed on a flatbed truck for a limited number of miles. But where would I tow it to? How in the world do you find a mechanic who knows Beetles these days?

Seems to me this could be a nightmare scenario.
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static
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 7:30 pm    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

I am not nearly smart enough to work on my own Bus, so I call AAA. They will be happy to schlep my Bus to a shop. I have “Premier”, so it can be up to 200 mikes away. Ideally, I would haul it to Kombi Haus.

If that won’t work for you, invest in some Bear Spray.
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supercub
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 7:43 pm    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

Not to sound harsh but if I didn't know how to or feel comfortable working on at least the basics of my VW, I would either learn how or not travel far in it. It's a 50 year old car and most general auto repair shops will likely want nothing to do with repairing it or will gouge the heck out of your wallet to do so. If you are serious about travelling far from home in the Beetle, I would at least learn how to replace the consumable parts of the distributor (rotor, cap, condenser, points) as well as how to adjust the points, adjust the valves, and set the timing. I would also know how to replace the fuel pump and rebuild the carburetor. Not that you would be totally rebuilding a carb on the side of the road, but at least you would know how to take it apart enough to see if anything is amiss inside should problems develop. Also, I always give the car a good once-over a few days before I'm about to leave on a trip to see if anything needs attention. It's a lot easier to replace something that's about to fail at home than on the side of the road somewhere. I've travelled a lot in my Beetle and have a little box of spare parts and the tools to change them. I have needed to use that stuff on occasion. I have been lucky and always been able to repair the VW when it broke down on the road. My personal plan is if something truly catastrophic happens to the VW while far away, I'll get it towed to the nearest town, rent a U-Haul and tow dolly and tow it home to repair it. I guess ultimately what I'm trying to say is, if you really desire to take long trips with your VW these days, you need to develop some degree of self-reliance in repairing it.
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Erik G
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 9:57 pm    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

Right.

In my opinion it's stupid to throw up your hands and say "I'm no good with cars" and yet own an old VW. Especially as an only car. Glutton for punishment at the least. Dumb is probably hurtful to hear, but... Get over it and get over your fear of learning and working on something.

Especially if it's your only car. Dumb, get a carolla
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 12:56 am    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

One thing all of us on the Samba have in common is a love for these cars. And let’s not forget that we love them for a variety of reasons. For some of us it is the simplicity of the machine. For others it is the infinite options available to customize/personalize them. For many of us they are time machines that take us back to our youth. When these cars were new there was no shortage of places where one could take them for repair and I’m sure the vast majority of VW owners were no more interested in or capable of doing more advanced troubleshooting and repair than the vast majority of owners of ’72 Ford Pintos, Chevy Vegas or AMC Gremlins.

Each ACVW enthusiast has an affection for these vehicles for their own reasons. ACVW hobbyists are a subset of this group who have the mechanical aptitude and skill that allows them to work on them. Not everyone who wants to enjoy owning a classic car needs to be a hobbyist … but they do need to understand the limitations of this type of ownership. Such owners should be comfortable with using the car primarily for pleasure, have a skilled ACVW mechanic available, budget for inevitable repairs, and (if necessary for peace of mind) plan to limit how far they travel. It’s an acceptance that the world is different than it was in 1972, but it doesn’t mean you cannot or should not enjoy owning the classic VW of your choice.

Ask the Samba community for suggestions on what basic/routine things should be done to minimize the chances of a problem arising, and I’m sure plenty will be happy to offer suggestions … after all, we all want to keep them on the road to be enjoyed for years to come.
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 3:56 am    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

is there a directory on the samba of trusted workshops around the country/world?
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 4:49 am    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

I LIVE in the middle of nowhere. One hour's drive does not take me anywhere near an air cooled parts or repair facility. There are two in different directions, both 3.5 hours away to the north west and south west, the next closest is to the east and is 4.5 hours and is only open part time now. When we go directly north or south from our home there is absolutely nothing all the way to the USA boarder and the arctic circle. If I was not comfortable wrenching on these old cars I would not own them.

We regularly take our old air cooled car on trips up to 12 hours one way and sometimes I pack tools and sometimes not. The fact of the matter is that if something breaks there will be no parts to be found anyway. I know my car inside and out so surprises are few and far between. The only thing readily available for them most places is tires, oil and gas.

Home sweet home!

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One of our 12 hour, through the Rockies trips. No I don't carry a spare tire.

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PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 5:49 am    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

Blue 72, Have your VW Guy 'Teach' you how to Change the Distributor,( get a spare) and stash it under the rear seat,
P.S. you only have to remove ONE 13mm nut to change it Wink Laughing
Cheers,Mike
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 7:26 am    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

Carry a copy of John Muir's "Idiots Manual" with you (and a set of points and a condenser). At least by having the book, some random farm kid at a bar or convenience store will be able to figure out the problem for you.
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obus Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 7:27 am    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

finster wrote:
is there a directory on the samba of trusted workshops around the country/world?

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/shops/
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 8:30 am    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

Most any person can learn to figure out, is it no gas or no spark? Gas, you just follow the path and figure is it the pump, filter, or screen? (or empty Laughing )
Spark is a bit more technically involved, but you can easily check for 12v at the coil and spark at the coil.
Knowing how to change a fuel filter or fuse has gotten many people back on the road.
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 8:35 am    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

I've owned my 1970 for 50 years, and my 1971 for 46 years.

In 1979 while on vacation in California, I broke a clutch cable but had spare and wingnut in the VW's trunk.

About 1981 my 1970 got stuck crossing a dirt path through a really-high Lake Pleasant, exhaust under water, I kept engine running. A few minutes later some teenagers helped us lift the rear end so I could drive out in reverse, then I could get home driving through a deeper area which had firmer footing.

Back in 1986 the 1970 developed an engine crack/cam plug came out so I bought a tow bar for $25 and towed the 1970 back 300 miles home.

The 1971 has never broken down while I was driving it, but the generator pulley did explode once while my mom was driving it, an accelerator cable broke in 1980 when girlfriend was driving, and its accelerator cable and its clutch cable have broken while Mrs. Cusser was driving it, so I fixed all those where they'd gone down.

Now we have AAA plus, has 100 miles of no-cost towing, covers our 6 vehicles that are registered. My second place is 104 miles away from my first place, so that covers most of the state.
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 8:41 am    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

obus wrote:
finster wrote:
is there a directory on the samba of trusted workshops around the country/world?

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/shops/


How do you get a shop added to that list? My very good local shop isn't there.
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my59
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:30 am    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

iowegian wrote:
Carry a copy of John Muir's "Idiots Manual" with you (and a set of points and a condenser). At least by having the book, some random farm kid at a bar or convenience store will be able to figure out the problem for you.


As above and a small box of VW bits that are not typically available at a FLAPS. There are threads about what spares to carry. Some carry all kinds of gear, some less.

AAA with the 200 mile tow, cell phone, credit and ten $20 bills cash is also good to have on hand.
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 12:05 pm    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

I carry a fan belt, a spare fuel pump (electric), a spare points replacement module, a spare tire and all the tools necessary to replace them with.
Haven’t had to use anything yet.
The only roadside repair I’ve had to do was remove my front sway bar that got caught on a measly 1.5inch curb transition into a parking lot.
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 4:14 pm    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

I observe that there are no longer just VW owners, but combination Owner/Mechanics, and those planning to sell theirs soon. It's not unique to VWs, but they are old cars, 50 years or more, and that has some plain realities to contend with.
1. Parts may be hard to get in a hurry. As a weekend car, no biggie, but for a daily driver or a road trip car, this is a major issue. It is solved with a thoughtful and large box of spare parts, kept in the car at all times.
2. ...and tools. Even if you can't install them, a garage or friend can (even if they are not VW people), but ONLY if they have the tools handy, and there are some unique to a VW.
3. The Muir book is a good road book, and the Phase 1 Tool/Spares Kit is a good start. Phase 2 for longer trips.
4. Consider taking these trips with a friend. A fellow VW nut is best, but just another vehicle to take you to the nearest town and provide some security, any reliable person will do.
5. Fully charged cell phone is a must. An emergency kit (space blanket, water, etc) is also a must. Whatever personal security equipment you are comfortable and legal with is a good idea.
6. Long range AAA or other tow coverage.
7. Notify friends of your itinerary, so if you don't show on time, they know where to look.
8. Have the car thoroughly checked by a VW specialist before you go. And try a short shake-down trip to start.
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 11:19 pm    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

I’d agree with everything above. I travel a ton in my VW’s. A combination of preventative maintenance, knowledge, spare parts, TheSamba.com, VW friends scattered across the country, AAA / CAA, and some cash in the bank has gotten me out of every jamb I’ve ever been in. You can do without all of those things except the cash in the bank one I guess. But you’d better have a lot. If a $1000 tow will put you in the poor house, you need to be able to fend for yourself a bit.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2023 9:01 am    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

I've known folks with brand new vehicles that have been stranded away from home in large cities because there were no parts available for over a week for their new vehicles....

Everything breaks, sooner or later. And even if not used.

Link

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PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2023 9:09 am    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

The simplicity of the air cooled VW is mitigated by a maintenance schedule that involves 4x per year service. Modern cars go 2 years between service.

If you want to daily drive an air cooled , you need to be in touch with it. It needed quarterly service when it was new , now it is 50 years old, and needs more.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2023 11:32 am    Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? Reply with quote

We have a tow dolly at home to do our own towing, but I also carry a tow strap in my trunk.
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