• From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Topic: Towing a Karmann Ghia

Hey, Gang: A friend asked if he could borrow my tow bar to tow his Ghia to a shop. My tow bar is a standard unit that I've used for year to tow Bugs.....but never a Ghia.

I seem to recall that it is "necessary" to have a dropped tongue for the tow ball on the towing vehicle's receiver, otherwise there is some interference between the nose of the Ghia and the tow bar.....  Anybody have experienece with this scenario??

His tow vehicle has a receiver that is about 15.5 inches from the ground to the security pin in the receiver.....we may just have to try a couple of different set-ups.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Clancy

  • From: Northern Illinois
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,105

Re: Towing a Karmann Ghia

I tow Ghia all the time with my beetle tow bar. I have with my old Volvo wagon and now with my wife's Chevy Venture. I have had no clearance issues but you'd have the same issues towing a bug if the truck is too high.

-Darby
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: Towing a Karmann Ghia

Thanks, Darby. Can you guess (or measure) the height from the top of the ball (as mounted to your hitch) to the ground? I'm thinking that the only problem that the Ghia might encounter would be going through dips in the road but that is the same issue with towing a Bug. He is only towing it a few miles so there may not be any problems that careful driving couldn't take care of.

Clancy

  • From: Brevard, NC
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 513

Re: Towing a Karmann Ghia

Clancy, Have your friend be carefull about tight turns. I saw pictures on another forum where someone had hit both sides of the Ghia by turning too sharp. The tow bat for my Ghia was extended and reinforced by about 14" to prevent this. The bug tow bar could hit the bottom side of the Ghia going through a sharp dip.
Good luck, David

David
'69 Bug & '71 Ghia
No matter where you go, there you are.
Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day
  • From: Northern Illinois
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,105

Re: Towing a Karmann Ghia

Clancy,  Judging my the scar on my leg from the Venture's trailer hitch (dont ask) the ball mount is 17" from the ground.  Good call on turning to sharp with the Ghia. A ghia is SQUARE and a bug is OVAL so the Ghia corners stick out farther.

-Darby