Towing a 64 bug February 13, 2018, 06:37:12 pm Hi all. We have a 64/65 stock VW Bug. We have been thinking about towing her behind our 2016 27foot rig. We have been told to be sure the tires and wheel bearing are in good shape. Any suggestions for towing a vehicle like this would be appreciated! She's been with us since 1972 so we want to treat her nice. Thanks for the ideas. If we do it we will let you know how it goes. 1 Likes
Re: Towing a 64 bug Reply #1 – February 13, 2018, 09:41:08 pm I restored a 1965 and made a Herbie look alike for my kids thinking I would also tow it behind our lazy daze but after all the work I couldn't do it. 1 Likes
Re: Towing a 64 bug Reply #3 – February 13, 2018, 10:49:49 pm Did you install the sunroof or did it come that way?
Re: Towing a 64 bug Reply #4 – February 13, 2018, 10:59:29 pm 1965 was the first year of the metal sunroof so mine came from the factory with it also included a picture of the 36 horse power plant.
Re: Towing a 64 bug Reply #5 – February 13, 2018, 11:54:19 pm A manual transmission Bug is a perfect toad, it's lightweight, at 1800-lbs, and a very capable dirt road machine, with a good set of tires. Downsides are a lack power and crash worthiness.Much of my college education was paid for by working on VWs. Still have my Idiot's Guide and a few rusted rebuilding tools.How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step by Step Procedures for...I sold an aunt and uncle a cherry 1967 Bug that they towed behind their two Class Cs for many years.Wish I still had it.Larry 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Towing a 64 bug Reply #6 – February 14, 2018, 12:11:22 am Quote from: Jody - February 13, 2018, 10:59:29 pm1965 was the first year of the metal sunroof so mine came from the factory with it also included a picture of the 36 horse power plant.That's a clean VW, looks stock. 36-HP, yea baby! My first car was a 1959 Karman-Ghia, with the powerful 36-HP engine. With the Empi exhaust it had, maybe, 37-HP.Surprisingly Empi is still in business, selling VW parts.EMPI® PRODUCTS | VOLKSWAGEN CATALOGWhile tow bars are readily available, technically, you would still need a toad brake since it weighs over 1500-lbs.Could be hard to find places to mount the toad brake hardware.It might be better to keep it in the garage, for Sunday drives, and get a real car for a toad.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Towing a 64 bug Reply #7 – February 14, 2018, 12:13:32 am Shortly after buying a 58 36 HP, I learned why many VW owners became VW mechanics.
Re: Towing a 64 bug Reply #8 – February 14, 2018, 09:12:56 am I had a '58 VW in college; the first year of the larger rear window! I put a lot of miles on it, then traded it and a bit of cash for a brand new '67 - the last year with the 'tube-style' bumper. The '67 had an Empi exhaust and mag wheels! Stylin'! This one hauled me back and forth to work, on as many camping trips as I could manage, and over much of México; a lifestyle change indicated a change to a pickup truck, so I sold the VW. I still miss that car! 1 Likes
Re: Towing a 64 bug Reply #9 – February 14, 2018, 09:16:12 am I owned a 1968 Type2 Van. I think VW's beat Ford in the "Fix Or Repair Daily" catagory. At least they were repariable. 1 Likes
Re: Towing a 64 bug Reply #10 – February 14, 2018, 09:31:47 am Back when my DW and I were just starting out I needed a second car for work. DW's dad always had a beetle bug so started looking. Found a VW Rabbit sitting in a junkyard. Front bumper was dented and engine had a loud ticking sound. Bought it cheap, dropped the oil pan and changed the rod bearings then drove it for a few years. Sold it to FIL and he drove it for a week before someone pulled out in front of him and totaled it! Great little car and very dependable.
Re: Towing a 64 bug Reply #11 – February 14, 2018, 10:03:45 am On a related note, for a short time I owned a '64 Corvair Monza (I was a Chevy guy, after all). Like the VW, it was rear-engined, air-cooled, and quite under-powered. But with the manual tranny, it was oh so fun to drive! And, like a VW, it was broken most of the time!
Re: Towing a 64 bug Reply #12 – February 14, 2018, 10:25:29 am I don't recall that either of the 'bugs' that I had experienced mechanical 'issues' beyond regular maintenance requirements. The only real problem with the '67 came about when one of my students offered to change the oil in his auto shop class and ended up draining the transmission fluid instead of the oil! At the least, VW bugs were not that hard to push!
Re: Towing a 64 bug Reply #13 – February 15, 2018, 07:56:12 am Quote from: Jody - February 13, 2018, 10:59:29 pm1965 was the first year of the metal sunroof so mine came from the factory with it also included a picture of the 36 horse power plant.Beautiful!
Re: Towing a 64 bug Reply #14 – February 15, 2018, 06:46:39 pm Hi again. Still not sure about towing her, but I sure enjoyed the sentimental journey down VM memory lane and through Corvair/ghia/rabitt lane. Its amazing when someone of a certain age walks into our garage and goes gaga over our bug. Hard to get them to do what ever it is they are here to do, including just having a glass of wine. The bug is an intoxicant all its own, as are the gas fumes currently inhabiting our garage, gleaned from efforts to keep her idling. But found a VW guy here in indio who fixed that problem for free, knowing we'd be back! Thanks again for the memories. Deb (AKA Les)
Re: Towing a 64 bug Reply #15 – May 15, 2018, 08:41:38 pm We finally got the 2015 Ford Fiesta set up for towing and took our first long trip last week We traveled from Southern CA to Sedona AZ and had no problems. Mileage was 10.3 mpg by keeping speed around 60mph. Nice to have a tiny car with which to explore the area as tourists are crowding the city parking spots as well as near hiking trails. Planning a cross country trip with the car in tow in 2 weeks.
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