Happy
LoveMyBus Radical
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Location: Knoxville TN
Type: 1969 "DELUXE" Bread Loaf
Name: BETTY
Posts: 486
Topic starter
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« on: February 03, 2008, 12:33:15 PM » |
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Lets just say Betty left me stranded. I call a towing company but how best to tow a bus without harming it. Does anyone have any experiences with needing a tow?
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fastmc25
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« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2008, 12:59:47 PM » |
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Rollbacks are best but usually cost more....... I have a custom towbar i use to tow my bus with my pickup...if needed......... Works just like the bug type.....  I got mine on the samba.... theres a guy that makes and sells bus towbars there.....Just search "towbars".......Nice to have around.... BTW........Both my girls go to UT......"GO VOLS"....  |
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A day without a Vw is like ................"Night"...
Peace,
Paul
1973 Adventurewagen 2.8L "Clyde"
1970 Formula Vee Beetle 2276 DTM "Herb"
1961 Deluxe Beetle "ALA...Original" "Christine"
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In_Tow
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« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2008, 01:54:38 PM » |
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We've towed a bus on a flatbed wrecker before. And when we did, we rode in the cab of the truck. It was the scariest ride I have ever been on!!!!! If you think your bus isn't aerodynamic now, put it up in the air a few feet and let it make the tow truck bounce and jerk around........  A flatbed tow truck is definitely a better answer than a regular wrecker, but the tow bar is the best answer. For the investment you make, even if you only have one tow, it's paid for itself. Own a truck with a hitch or have a friend with one? If you do, then with that tow bar, you're set!!! |
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Just along for the ride with a "Wink" and a smile -
Building a sandrail from the frame up!!
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GostaBerling
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« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2008, 03:47:30 PM » |
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If you think having a regular bus on a flatbed is scary then try a hightop. I was expecting the roof to come off every time we passed under an overpass.  The only thing to watch out for on a roll back is that they park on flat ground when loading or unloading. Otherwise, the bus can bottom out on the muffler when they back it off. |
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"I became an archaeologist because I wanted to drive around in a big Land Rover, smoking, cursing, and finding treasure." - Carmel Schrire Check out Willy's blog: Life and Adventures of a bus named Willoughby http://willoughbus.wordpress.com/ |
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olylawnboy
LoveMyBus Elite Radical
Offline
Location: Oly Wa
Type: 68 Panel
Name: Winnie the Blue
Posts: 520
Long Live the Vw's...
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« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2008, 09:02:21 PM » |
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Happpy, are you talking about an emegency situation? where you have to tow "right now"? or just transportation? from one place to another? I brought Winnie home on my landscape trailer, 8x18. No problem at all whatsoever. You can rent these things at a rental place for way less than a towing company. If you have the capacity of a towing rig of coarse. And yet again, they have smaller dollies that you just have to roll up the front end or the rear end depending on your need....
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When I feed the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist. - Dom Helder Camara
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GostaBerling
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« Reply #5 on: February 04, 2008, 06:12:25 AM » |
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For anyone taking any kind of long distant camping trips, I would recommend AAA. It will pay for itself with the first tow and besides the people are very friendly and helpful.
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"I became an archaeologist because I wanted to drive around in a big Land Rover, smoking, cursing, and finding treasure." - Carmel Schrire Check out Willy's blog: Life and Adventures of a bus named Willoughby http://willoughbus.wordpress.com/ |
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Dj:Eep
LMB Resident DJ/WiseAss
Global Moderator
LoveMyBus SuperSecret Agent
Offline
Location: In a bus, Oregonia USA
Type: '71 GhettoDeluxe, '79 FosterSunRoof
Name: Navin & Franklin
Posts: 2383
I think I brained my damage.
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« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2008, 08:42:14 AM » |
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I will never put my buses on a tow truck. Flat bed only, and only if there is no other option. Had Geri Lou towed once and it slipped into or was put into 2nd gear. Tow truck driver tried to bail when confronted about the gas spraying all over the engine and inside out fanbelt.
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DjEep goes "bump" in the night. :eeps_club:
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fastmc25
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« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2008, 11:54:44 AM » |
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I will never put my buses on a tow truck. Flat bed only, and only if there is no other option. Had Geri Lou towed once and it slipped into or was put into 2nd gear. Tow truck driver tried to bail when confronted about the gas spraying all over the engine and inside out fanbelt.
Here is the towbar i got........ good price for shipped................... I made some adapters for the yokes and now it also works on my Bug lowered with 2" narrowed front beam......  http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=272546 |
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A day without a Vw is like ................"Night"...
Peace,
Paul
1973 Adventurewagen 2.8L "Clyde"
1970 Formula Vee Beetle 2276 DTM "Herb"
1961 Deluxe Beetle "ALA...Original" "Christine"
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Happy
LoveMyBus Radical
Offline
Location: Knoxville TN
Type: 1969 "DELUXE" Bread Loaf
Name: BETTY
Posts: 486
Topic starter
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« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2008, 01:39:31 AM » |
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I was thinking if I was stranded and there was no way home (someone asked that). Sounds like the flatbad is the way to go in that situation. Betty is not allowed far from home and I have towing insurance. Might have to open my wallet some to make up for the deluxe flatbed tow.
I always thought about this and now I know!
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Dj:Eep
LMB Resident DJ/WiseAss
Global Moderator
LoveMyBus SuperSecret Agent
Offline
Location: In a bus, Oregonia USA
Type: '71 GhettoDeluxe, '79 FosterSunRoof
Name: Navin & Franklin
Posts: 2383
I think I brained my damage.
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« Reply #9 on: February 07, 2008, 09:58:52 AM » |
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AAA will send out a flatbed at no extra cost if you request one.
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DjEep goes "bump" in the night. :eeps_club:
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Happy
LoveMyBus Radical
Offline
Location: Knoxville TN
Type: 1969 "DELUXE" Bread Loaf
Name: BETTY
Posts: 486
Topic starter
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« Reply #10 on: February 07, 2008, 01:22:03 PM » |
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I see AAA stickers on old folks cars. Betty is an old folk. I will look into AAA. Thanks for the tip!
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rastafoo
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« Reply #11 on: February 07, 2008, 03:41:53 PM » |
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I had Janis towed on a flat trailer by a friend, he had strap downs for each tire- it was nice. He said it was a bit different than towing his show-car cobra.... |
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"spirit is the journey, body is the bus"
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rastafoo
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« Reply #12 on: February 07, 2008, 03:46:04 PM » |
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ok that sounded dumb. What I really meant to convey is that to tow a bus on a trailer/flatbed seems the best way to me.  |
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"spirit is the journey, body is the bus"
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fastmc25
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« Reply #13 on: February 07, 2008, 05:09:03 PM » |
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A day without a Vw is like ................"Night"...
Peace,
Paul
1973 Adventurewagen 2.8L "Clyde"
1970 Formula Vee Beetle 2276 DTM "Herb"
1961 Deluxe Beetle "ALA...Original" "Christine"
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