Towing a Beetle

[Dwayne1m]

There have been many threads and questions on how to properly tow a Beetle by either a tow bar or a dolly, and I have never towed with either and there are questions that I have. Some say to lock the steering and some say don't. Towing an Autoshift also has raised numerous questions with sometimes "gray" answers, so hopefully those experienced with towing a Beetle with a tow bar and a dolly can share their knowledge. Points should be made of the differences between tow bar differences between a Standard and a Super, how to hook up a tow bar to a Standard and a Super, having the steering locked or unlocked, details on how to flat tow an Autoshift, and using a dolly and what to do about front loading or rear loading the car. Hopefully pictures will be included in this thread and we can make it a sticky so there is no doubt about how to safely and correctly tow a Beetle.

[sjbartnik]

The main thing is to remember to put it in neutral if you're gonna have the rear wheels on the ground.
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
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[67rustavenger]

I have flat towed 67, 69, and 70 manual trans ACVW's in the past. When flat towing I always left the steering in the unlocked position. I double checked that the trans was in neutral and before moving out checked again. I heard a horror story of a guy that towed his car in gear and remembered that for life. Leaving the steering unlocked allows the car to turn freely with the tow vehicle. However you can't back the rig up with the tow bar attached.
I once followed a guy towing an ACVW on a tow dolly backwards behind his Monte Carlo. This was just west of Cheyenne, WY. He made it about 20mi. into the mountains before he lost it on a bend on HWY 80. The thing jack knifed on him and he was stuck in a snow bank. If I were using a tow dolly. The car would be loaded on with the rear wheels on the road and the steering locked as the dolly has a swivel deck that allows for turning while traveling down the road. Again, make sure that the trans is in neutral several times before moving out.
Never had a autostick shift so I can't help.
Good Luck.
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[johnnypan]

Using a VW tow bar,unlocked steering shifter in neutral

Using a dolly,back car on and lock steering straight.


think before towing any car using any method

[Multi69s]

I'm in beautiful Santa Cruz right now and I flat towed my Baja here with a tow bar. Attach the tow bar to the VWs beam then drive it up to the tow vehicle and connect it to the ball, and put it in neutral. Then turn off the ignition just enough to kill the engine and leave the key in the ignition. You also want to have the front wheels pointing in the direction that you pull away in. Also don't have anything on the front seats that could bump the shifter. Last make sure you attach a safety chain between the two vehicles.
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69 road Bug 2110
73 Squareback - 2L, T4, Automatic W/ AC
Gone, but many fond memories 69 Baja Bug 2010 - 5 Rib Bus Transaxle
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[gt1953]

Um lets see from KCMO to PHX. Numerous fifity to two miles tows not an issue all with flat towing bar. It all about the stopping/braking. With an automatic read the owners manual of the tow vehicle.
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({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[David_nc_72std]

In addition to what others have posted, when towing with the rear wheels on the ground, disengage the emergency brake.

[Dwayne1m]

And if your have a locking steering wheel, turn the key so the steering doesn't lock and disconnect the battery.

[mikeonthebike]

Disconnect the speedometer cable at the driver's front wheel if you don't want to add mileage.