Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Towd Question (Would a VW Van/Bus Make A Good Towd?)
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| Re: Towd Question [message #147907 is a reply to message #147899] |
Thu, 27 October 2011 02:30   |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
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| ahamilto wrote on Wed, 26 October 2011 21:03 |
Would a VW Van/Bus Make A Good Towd?
If so, what years? Anybody got weight estimates?
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I am not an expert on this, but can go through a few thoughts....
I understand the early rear-engine, rear drive bugs make good towds. As the van drive train is the same as the bug, should be ok for that aspect. The early vans have the same front suspension as the bug that aspect should be ok also. ( I do not know about later vans front suspensions.) Weight shouldn't be to bad... more than a bug but not anymore than some other towds. The increased frontal area of the van shouldn't be an issue as it will be behind the motorhome. (It MIGHT actually be better at certain speeds due to the continuation of the square shape... )
Over all... I think the VW van should be ok as a towd.
But what do I know.... I haven't seen many being used as towds.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: Towd Question [message #147911 is a reply to message #147907] |
Thu, 27 October 2011 06:19 |
klassic kampers
Messages: 93
Registered: July 2008
Location: greer,s.c./ellijay,ga
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well, here we go again......there are 54-67 split window vans with the beetle engine , 68-71 bay window vans with the beetle engine, 72-79 bay window vans with the typeIV engine, and the 1980-83 vanagon air cooler and 84-92 water-cooled vanagon....they progressively get heavier .. ......i would suggest a 1968-71 because of the reduction gears on the 67 and earlier vans....there is a lot of moving parts in the older units and as we all know the more moving parts the more can happen plus these vans were made to be driven at 50/60mph ......you can replace the reduction gear trans on the older vans with a beetle trans with parts available from the internet suppliers or if you could come up with free-wheeling towing hubs, that would also work.......the 1972 and later are heavier than 68-71 bacause of the larger type IV engine.............be sure the trans is in good shape even if you decide on a later model as 1968-70 had a problem with the pinion bearings....a locked pinion bearing on a trip far from home is not a picnic......I've had to travel 150 miles and replace an(air cooled) vw trans in a motel parking lot to help a good customer because of this......I would make some kind of a jig to hold the shifter in place during towing as we replaced a few engines in the 1970s because of the trans of a towed vw somehow slipping into 2nd or 3rd gear while moving and chunked the rods out of the case due to the engine turning 8000rpm..........the best tow bar is the one that fits on the axle beam and NOT the bumper, but is not the exact same as the type I beetle, thing, ghia........
as usual, disclaimer on file..........
Mike Stewart
1973 GMC 26' Canyonlands /
1973 B.S.A. B50 street tracker-----
Greer,S.C/Ellijay,Ga
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towd Question [message #147926 is a reply to message #147922] |
Thu, 27 October 2011 09:57 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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here is some info, on turning bugs into Toads
http://gmcmotorhome.info/toad.html#vw
The best tow bar I ever saw for a "Thing / van" was the folding one that
MR.C has.
I will see if he has a picture ( he is in SLO this week with his GMC)
gene
On Thu, Oct 27, 2011 at 7:22 AM, Rob Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au>wrote:
> G'day,
>
> I am currently building a '69 VW Beetle in Humble to tow behind Double
> Trouble. I have read that VW's should NOT be towed by the
> bumpers.
>
> The bumpers bolt to the body only, not the frame. They bolt on with the
> metric equivalent of three 5/16" bolts on each side. You can
> see them in the forward part of the wheel wells.
>
> They sell cheap tow bars that clip to the bottom tube of the front axle.
> The problem with them is that they are rather low to the
> ground.
>
> I am considering is making a steel plate that bolts to the inside of shock
> tower between the upper and lower tubes of the front
> axle. Goes forward and is sandwiched in between the "Y" shaped brackets
> that the bumper bolts to. From there they go through slots
> cut in the bumper with tabs for the tow bar to attach to. The towing force
> would be shared by the body and the front axle.
>
> Waaadaaaayaaah reckon?
>
> I am aware that Blue Ox makes a tow bar for VW's, they are EXTREMELY proud
> of them as they sell for a motsa!
>
> Here's my Aussie towd:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=5317
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towd Question [message #147953 is a reply to message #147947] |
Thu, 27 October 2011 14:15 |
Neil
Messages: 271
Registered: July 2007
Location: Los Angeles and Magalia, ...
Karma: 1
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Since we veered off VWs as Towds...
I just got a 1978 Alfa Romeo Sport Sedan to use as a towd. 5 speed trans, the alfa guys say its ok to flat tow. Going to install that Unified braking system. Would appreciate advise on tow bars and hook up plates. I want something stealthy when removed.
Its about my 10th alfa.
Neil
76 Eleganza now sold
Los Angeles
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towd Question [message #147971 is a reply to message #147928] |
Thu, 27 October 2011 18:23 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Gary,
Thanks for letting me know that those tow bars will work. The guy I bought the Beetle from gave me one of those with the car,
There is an additional down side to them and that is you have to lie on the ground to reach up under the front end to pull the
hairpins and retaining pins - PITA.
When I was rebuilding my Dad's Type III in Vista, CA I bought a lot of parts from JBugs! Nice bunch of guys.
Did you ever do any business with the VW shop located over by Duncan's Guns in Escondido? He's that guy that got his arms and legs
broken!
Regards,
Rob
-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Worobec
Sorry, Price was $84.00 from my local bug guy in Oceanside. CA
http://tinyurl.com/3ecq2cq
Rob, I towed our 70 Beetle based dune buggy for many years with the inexpensive clip on tow hitch that went over the lower axle
tube. Works great and never had a clearance problem. I think they are about $90.00 new.
Thanks
Gary
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towd Question [message #147972 is a reply to message #147930] |
Thu, 27 October 2011 18:35 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Dan,
I'm INSULTED! What do you mean "IF Rob comes up with something nice!" Of course it will be NICE! ;-)
My '69 Beetle has a ball joint front end, what year chassis is your Dune Buggy mounted on.
I looked through your pics of the Baja Bug on the Photosite but couldn't find any that showed the front end up close. I did notice
that is has a custom "bumper." Send me some pictures off net and I'll see if I my idea will work for you.
If I come up with something I might as well make two sets at the same time.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Gregg
Gary, that is a bargain price. I had toyed with the idea that Rob has, especially after my bug ran over me while unhooking it from
the GMC back in 2010. Nearly broke my good ankle. But, I have now fixed the parking brake and use it when unhooking. It is a pitbutt
but I can do it alone. If Teri is close I get her to help me. If Rob comes up with something nice and can get it duplicated for my
ball joint frontend I would rather do that and use my Roadmaster towbar.
Dan
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towd Question [message #147982 is a reply to message #147907] |
Thu, 27 October 2011 19:18 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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The original vans (properly called Station Wagons, DeLuxe Station Wagons, or Kombis) used the bug driveline with a 3:2 reduction gear at the end of each axle housing. This gave sufficient torque for the little engine to move the box around, but limits top speed to 55mph to avoid engine overspeed. It was done by flipping the ring assembly over in the transaxle. This is easily done in the field, replacing the transaxle with one from a Bug was common practice - way more bugs than busses on the salvage yards. The axles actually turn backwards. The reduction gear also raises the bus a few inches higher than the bug.
If memory serves, only the transaxle nosepiece, distributor, and axle assembly were not common to the bug drivetrain. It will probably go fatser being towed behind your GMC than it will under its own steam. It's a bit heavier, but 'heavier' is a relative term. I'm sure the specs are on the web someplace, but a quick search didn'
t find them. It should, of course, have peace symbols painted on.
--johnny
________________________________
From: Mike Miller <m000035@gmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2011 3:30 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Towd Question
ahamilto wrote on Wed, 26 October 2011 21:03
> Would a VW Van/Bus Make A Good Towd?
> If so, what years? Anybody got weight estimates?
I am not an expert on this, but can go through a few thoughts....
I understand the early rear-engine, rear drive bugs make good towds. As the van drive train is the same as the bug, should be ok for that aspect. The early vans have the same front suspension as the bug that aspect should be ok also. ( I do not know about later vans front suspensions.) Weight shouldn't be to bad... more than a bug but not anymore than some other towds. The increased frontal area of the van shouldn't be an issue as it will be behind the motorhome. (It MIGHT actually be better at certain speeds due to the continuation of the square shape... )
Over all... I think the VW van should be ok as a towd.
But what do I know.... I haven't seen many being used as towds.
--
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#1)'73 26' exPainted D. -- (#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towd Question [message #147984 is a reply to message #147971] |
Thu, 27 October 2011 19:24 |
Gary Worobec
Messages: 867
Registered: May 2005
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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No one in Escondido. I usually used Wolfsberg West in Corona and a lot of
engine stuff from Gene Berg Enterprises.
Thanks
Gary and Joanne Worobec
1973 GMC Glacier
Anza, CA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Mueller" <robmueller@iinet.net.au>.
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2011 4:23 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Towd Question
> Gary,
>
> Thanks for letting me know that those tow bars will work. The guy I bought
> the Beetle from gave me one of those with the car,
>
> There is an additional down side to them and that is you have to lie on
> the ground to reach up under the front end to pull the
> hairpins and retaining pins - PITA.
>
> When I was rebuilding my Dad's Type III in Vista, CA I bought a lot of
> parts from JBugs! Nice bunch of guys.
>
> Did you ever do any business with the VW shop located over by Duncan's
> Guns in Escondido? He's that guy that got his arms and legs
> broken!
>
> Regards,
> Rob
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gary Worobec
>
> Sorry, Price was $84.00 from my local bug guy in Oceanside. CA
>
> http://tinyurl.com/3ecq2cq
>
> Rob, I towed our 70 Beetle based dune buggy for many years with the
> inexpensive clip on tow hitch that went over the lower axle
> tube. Works great and never had a clearance problem. I think they are
> about $90.00 new.
>
> Thanks
>
> Gary
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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