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I have a '71 Super Beetle and was considering towing it from my parents house to mine, which is about 375 miles or so. Has anyone here used the tow bars that are sold on their Supers? How far have you towed? Is there a recommended max towing distance?
Thanks!
Floyd
I just towed a super from Sac. to Los Banos and that in over 120 miles. Tow bars work great as long as you remember to strap the steering when with a bungy cord. (don't forget the saftey chains) I have seen many bugs being towed with tow bars on motorhomes and they travel many more miles than you are thinking of. Good Luck
AirCooled: To differ slightly with what pddog offered...if the front alignment is at or close to spec, the car will usally tow cleanly without a strap or bungee on the steering wheel...in fact, such a strap is not usually recommended. If the specs are out so that caster won't control the path of the bug, I'd recommend renting a trailer and then not have to worry about the bug running all over the road.
Backing up the tow vehicle with the bug attached is also not recommended unless you have a helper standing nearby to watch and help with the bug's steering if needed.....and do it very slowly!
Good luck. Clancy
I would never use anything that inhibits the steering wheel turning freely during towing with an A frame. I have an A frame for towing that bolts onto the front bumper mounting brackets. I have used this for (gulp) decades even once towing a 1938 Hudson Teraplane about 100 miles with my '65 Baha. I usually tie a rag or something to the top of the steering wheel so that I can observe the steering response. If there is going to be a problem it will be clear in the first 100 yards of travel, and/or the first 90 degree intersection. Especially in straightening up after a tight curve. At speed, there is never any problem. Generally VWs tow just fine as there is about 6 degrees steering caster. Remember to leave the key in the ignition so the steering stays unlocked if you have a steering lock.
Last month a friend borrowed the A frame. I forgot to give him a briefing (my fault) and on the advice of other friends he tied the steering on his SB. The result was that he bent the bodywork where the bumper bracket joins the car body.
Brian
The two Big things to remember are to take it out of gear and after a few miles you have a tendency to forget it's back there. Vic http://www.1800vw.bizhosting.com/page_index.htm
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