wonder if i should try flat towing my 57 vw convert, now that its done, instead of trailering my chevy or flat towing the festiva... anyone flat tow bugs? I suppose i could use my car dolly.... or build a special trailer... just wondering how well vw will tow (not counting all the oil,. etc that will cover it) Thanks, Rick
As I recall "bugs" were flat towed all the time. Same with dune buggies which are basically bugs.
Silver Eagle Heading Home from an Eagles International Bus Rally (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsugBwnLN1Q&feature=player_profilepage#)
The Ford Festiva also makes a great towed if its a standard transmission.>>>Dan
chev49, we towed our 1970 VW many thousands of miles. We did have to "bungee" cord the steering wheel to keep it centered. After a turn it didn't want to self-center. Other than that no problems.
Thanks, I always bungee cord or use loose rope on early cars. I kinda dont wanta get the suspension or something bent up cause this early of cabrolet is worth more than the bus.
We've been considering a classic VW beetle to flat tow behind our 4106 - as we've heard they're quite easy to flat tow. And we think it'd look super cute behind a vintage bus!
Our only hesitation is lack of air conditioning. While it's nice when it happens that we follow the good weather in our travels.. we've found that we often times end up in places with less than ideal weather to be where we need to be (with people we love, family emergencies, conferences, work, etc.).
We have heard that some of the super beetles might be powered enough to handle an aftermarket A/C. But haven't researched much further than that.
- Cherie
Tow you a bug then you have something else to work on beside the bus LOL
good luck
My first car was a 64 bug. Had the higher hp motor, (40 hp instead of the 36 hp) ;D also had a gas gauge with the built in reserve, but no AC. You would be surprised where i took that car. :) One time i was on top of a mountain by way of washed out logging roads, enjoying the view, when i heard a noise and looked over the edge and saw 4 jeeps coming up. They were having a good time whooping and hollering until they broke over the top and saw my stock vw bug sitting there. ;D They asked me how i got there and i told them the same way you did. They said there had to be another way up. I said nope, and i am going out the same way you came in, which i did. I think i ruined their morning. :D :D
Alright Ed:
Have mercy on us Jeep owners.
Cherie -Quote from: technomadia on July 31, 2011, 08:57:15 AM
Our only hesitation is lack of air conditioning.
FYI - later model VW Golfs and Jettas with manual gearboxes can be flat towed, find one w/ A/C and you're good to go. Usually cheaper (and less likely to get stolen) than a Honda Civic, another popular A/C-equipped toad. Jettas have huge trunks, almost as big as the trailer you recently sold! LOL!
Honda CRVs are quite popular, too, and both the 2x and 4x models with automatics can be flat towed.
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Mike, that was back about 1969. :) i have been a jeep owner for the last 12 years. Still no AC though ;D
That's right Ed, I forgot about your Cherokee. I feel better now.
;D
Quote from: technomadia on July 31, 2011, 08:57:15 AMWe have heard that some of the super beetles might be powered enough to handle an aftermarket A/C. But haven't researched much further than that.
I had a 1974 Super Beetle (with over a quarter million miles on its original unrebuilt engine!), bought from the factory and driven all over Europe, and we had it for many years. I've heard of aftermarket AC for them, but I don't know if AC was ever offered as a factory option. Maybe the Super's MacPherson strut front suspension has better tracking than the usual VW front ends - I'm guessing the toad's caster and steering geometry would determine its towability? As long as the transaxle keeps itself lubricated, it should be towable.
I can well believe Ed's memories of his '64 going places that Jeeps fear to tread. Some years ago in the Anza-Borrego Desert in Southern California I was riding my bicycle over the Pinyon Mountain dirt road (A 4WD route that starts as an easy sandy road but becomes a difficult technical track) when I heard a car behind me coming up the bajada. When I stopped to let it pass I saw it was an ancient VW with an equally ancient couple in it - they told me they drove it all over the desert, including through the Squeeze and down the Pinyon Dropoff!!! They said it got everywhere they wanted to go, and if it got stuck it was light enough to easily dig out. Who needs 4WD?!
John
We had a 1984 VW Rabbit Convertable with a swapped '84 Rabbit diesel engine. Five speed with aftermarket 4.89 gears down from 3.55's. 45-48 mpg. Ran OK but kinda hot in very hot weather as it had no A/C. Would go 70-75 mph topless, but not much faster. Too much aero-dynamic drag or something. A whopping 52 hp. Had about $3000 in it including cheap paint. An easy engine swap doable for most Bus Conversion poeple for whatever it is worth. HB of CJ (old coot)
My favorite toad is my 63 econoline van. I have towed it about 2,00 miles and drove it about 200. It always gives trouble and has to be pulled back in. Right Don.
Even with a "*itch" on the back.
uncle ned
Good evening capt ron
I am on my 3rd VW diesel--my second Jetta TDI. I got an '04 automatic(5 spd), because I found it on a used car lot at a very reasonable price, in excellent condition---but some days wished I had gotten the 5 speed stick so I could flat tow it. My '04 has all the bells and whistles and still gets 40+ mpg. It does not quite have the cavernous trunk that the '98 had, but with the back seats folded down it is still very useful for hauling outsized stuff. I do have a tow dolly for it, but it is a pain to use, and I will probably not use it except for trips where I go somewhere and stay put for a week or more.
If they weren't so old, I would have a diesel vanagon(with a transplanted 1.9L TDI motor) with manual transmission. They flat tow very good, have a/c and can go most anywhere.
Just my $0.02 worth.
Steve Toomey
pabusnut