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TOAD(TOWED) COMPETITION [message #96411] Thu, 19 August 2010 11:06 Go to next message
Michael Bozardt is currently offline  Michael Bozardt   United States
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Registered: January 2007
Location: College Station, Texas
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Senior Member
I haven noted more variance in the towed vehicles at the last several conventions, for example, the Chevy HHR has become the latest fad. Trackers seem to remain the most popular.

But I have a different idea(as usual,to a different drummer)! I bought my third VW pick-up recently. This one is gas powered not diesel as were the other two. I have also purchased a Jetta with the 16valve, dual overhead cam, 123hp engine to insert into the VW pick up. This car also has Recaro seats, which are, in my opinion, the very best(put them in my 240-Z and they are in the BMW M-3 as well.)

The advantages of the VW pick up with a camper shell are: throw the stuff in the pick up bed including the bar b-q cooker, bikes, small motor scooters, etc. Beats the heck out of the on top POD. The long wheel base results in improved ride over other small, short wheel based vehicles. Front wheel drive and 5-speed standard transmission allow for easy towing 4 wheels down. The VW is easy to maintain and parts are readily available at reasonable prices, Not only that, as they are no longer in production, their value is going up! Look on ebay under Other Vehicles, collector cars, Volkswagon, Other models. I used my others as daily drivers and this one has A/C as I live in Hot Houston. However, it will be awhile before this one hits the road as it will be painted, get the upgraded engine, new brakes, fuel tank dropped and cleaned, new wheels and tires, etc. In short, it will be a deceptive hot rod.

Would be fun to line up the toads at convention with owner/drivers available to answer questions and discuss their vehicles which are now a major part of the convention experience.
Michael at GEMRECS
Re: TOAD(TOWED) COMPETITION [message #96420 is a reply to message #96411] Thu, 19 August 2010 11:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
roy1 is currently offline  roy1   United States
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
Senior Member
The question is what does the V dub weigh. I tow a 95 Toyota PU which weighs 2800 lbs before I added the shell. I wish it were 1000 lbs lighter, other then that it is great for the dogs and hauling stuff Paula finds. According to the earlier post a couple days ago (U tube?)You can't kill an old Toyota truck?
Roy


Roy Keen Minden,NV 76 X Glenbrook
Re: [GMCnet] TOAD(TOWED) COMPETITION [message #96439 is a reply to message #96411] Thu, 19 August 2010 14:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Mr ERFisher is currently offline  Mr ERFisher   United States
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
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Senior Member
here are my collection of BUG-TOAD pictures
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4733

gene



On Thu, Aug 19, 2010 at 9:06 AM, Michael Bozardt <ilse@earth-comm.com>wrote:

>
>
> I haven noted more variance in the towed vehicles at the last several
> conventions, for example, the Chevy HHR has become the latest fad. Trackers
> seem to remain the most popular.
>
> But I have a different idea(as usual,to a different drummer)! I bought my
> third VW pick-up recently. This one is gas powered not diesel as were the
> other two. I have also purchased a Jetta with the 16valve, dual overhead
> cam, 123hp engine to insert into the VW pick up. This car also has Recaro
> seats, which are, in my opinion, the very best(put them in my 240-Z and they
> are in the BMW M-3 as well.)
>
> The advantages of the VW pick up with a camper shell are: throw the stuff
> in the pick up bed including the bar b-q cooker, bikes, small motor
> scooters, etc. Beats the heck out of the on top POD. The long wheel base
> results in improved ride over other small, short wheel based vehicles.
> Front wheel drive and 5-speed standard transmission allow for easy towing 4
> wheels down. The VW is easy to maintain and parts are readily available at
> reasonable prices, Not only that, as they are no longer in production, their
> value is going up! Look on ebay under Other Vehicles, collector cars,
> Volkswagon, Other models. I used my others as daily drivers and this one has
> A/C as I live in Hot Houston. However, it will be awhile before this one
> hits the road as it will be painted, get the upgraded engine, new brakes,
> fuel tank dropped and cleaned, new wheels and tires, etc. In short, it will
> be a deceptive hot rod.
>
> Would be fun to line up the toads at convention with owner/drivers
> available to answer questions and discuss their vehicles which are now a
> major part of the convention experience.
> Michael at GEMRECS
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
>


--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
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http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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Re: [GMCnet] TOAD(TOWED) COMPETITION [message #96447 is a reply to message #96439] Thu, 19 August 2010 15:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
1977Production#0001 is currently offline  1977Production#0001   United States
Messages: 197
Registered: January 2010
Location: Vallejo, California
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Senior Member
Mr ERFisher wrote on Thu, 19 August 2010 12:31

here are my collection of BUG-TOAD pictures
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4733

gene



I Love it! My future toad...
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=416903&fbid=146108665402462&id=115816678431661




Giovanni(Carlo) 1977 GMC Kingsley 26ft "Carbon Footprint" Rear Twin, Dry Bath, Original Headliner
Re: TOAD(TOWED) COMPETITION [message #96455 is a reply to message #96411] Thu, 19 August 2010 17:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
learjet is currently offline  learjet   United States
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Registered: August 2004
Location: tucson az
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Junior Member
smart for two 1800 lbs and 40 mpg
Re: TOAD(TOWED) COMPETITION [message #96463 is a reply to message #96411] Thu, 19 August 2010 20:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim Wagner is currently offline  Jim Wagner   United States
Messages: 339
Registered: February 2004
Location: Brook Park, Oh
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Here is a photo of our toad. We will be it at the international.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=779&cat=3043

Jim Wagner
Brook Park, oh
Re: TOAD(TOWED) COMPETITION [message #96472 is a reply to message #96411] Thu, 19 August 2010 22:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Chr$ is currently offline  Chr$   United States
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Rabbit pickup trucks are cool, but it is hard to find a decent one, and to be honest, my 77 Rabbit was the worst car I ever owned.

Now a ve based fiberglass dune buggy, that is what I am considering...


-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ

77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
Re: TOAD(TOWED) COMPETITION [message #96474 is a reply to message #96455] Thu, 19 August 2010 23:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Michael Bozardt is currently offline  Michael Bozardt   United States
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Registered: January 2007
Location: College Station, Texas
Karma: 1
Senior Member
SMART FOR TWO 1800 lbs 40mpg
and $10-12,000. Can't haul squat!

VW Pick up, 2300 lbs. +/- 30mpg, cost $5000.
If diesel, 45mpg and still $5000.

Towing a Corvette-shameful! The car Gods will be angry!

Yeah, I like the dune buggy idea too, but no A/C and I'm tired of the heat......Michael at GEMRECS

learjet wrote on Thu, 19 August 2010 17:46

smart for two 1800 lbs and 40 mpg

[Updated on: Thu, 19 August 2010 23:36]

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Re: [GMCnet] TOAD(TOWED) COMPETITION [message #96477 is a reply to message #96474] Fri, 20 August 2010 01:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
ljdavick is currently offline  ljdavick   United States
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Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
Senior Member
Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone - the Corvette is really pushing the GMC.

Larry Davick

On Aug 19, 2010, at 9:30 PM, Michael Bozardt <ilse@earth-comm.com> wrote:

>
>
> SMART FOR TWO 1800 lbs 40mpg
> and $10-12,000.
> VW Pick up, 2300 lbs. +/- 30mpg, cost $5000
>
> Towing a Corvette-shameful! The car Gods will be angry!
> Michael at GEMRECS
>
> learjet wrote on Thu, 19 August 2010 17:46
>> smart for two 1800 lbs and 40 mpg
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
Re: [GMCnet] TOAD(TOWED) COMPETITION [message #96482 is a reply to message #96477] Fri, 20 August 2010 06:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stick miller is currently offline  stick miller   United States
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Speaking of VW's, I'm still trying to find a reasonable way to tow my VW Jetta TDI. It is a 2004 and the plate for the vW is expensive. I need a good or not so good used one. I hate to go to the car dolly, but at least that would give me built in brakes and lights and I could use another toad if the spirit hit me. Suggestions?

Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
Re: TOAD(TOWED) COMPETITION [message #96497 is a reply to message #96411] Fri, 20 August 2010 09:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim Wagner is currently offline  Jim Wagner   United States
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Registered: February 2004
Location: Brook Park, Oh
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Senior Member
Larry, You have let my secret out.

Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone - the Corvette is really pushing the GMC.
Jim Wagner
Brook Park, oh
Re: [GMCnet] TOAD(TOWED) COMPETITION [message #96592 is a reply to message #96482] Fri, 20 August 2010 20:10 Go to previous message
Michael Bozardt is currently offline  Michael Bozardt   United States
Messages: 367
Registered: January 2007
Location: College Station, Texas
Karma: 1
Senior Member
My suggestion-have a welder make the brackets for you Jetta to match the tow bar of your choice. I had this done for my first VW Pick up an it worked to perfection.....Michael at GEMRECS



Stick Miller wrote on Fri, 20 August 2010 06:15

Speaking of VW's, I'm still trying to find a reasonable way to tow my VW Jetta TDI. It is a 2004 and the plate for the vW is expensive. I need a good or not so good used one. I hate to go to the car dolly, but at least that would give me built in brakes and lights and I could use another toad if the spirit hit me. Suggestions?

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