mikecoke Report post Posted December 8, 2009 On our way South for the Winter traveling down Interstate 5 just north of Sacramento. Traffic came to a sudden stop and, after we had stopped, we felt a big wham. I said S*** there goes the VW. We were towing a restored 1972 VW Beetle. A fully loaded transfer dump truck with trailer could not stop and plowed into our '72 Beetle, "Barney." Barney was totaled and the good thing is that the Swagman bike rack that mounts to the hitch bar stopped Barney from hitting the back of the motorhome. Both bikes were damaged, the hitch was bent, the ball mount bar was bent under 180 degrees and, to top it off, the Swagman bike rack came out undamaged. More Pic can be seen at Barney's web page below Barney's Web Page Mike Mike, Wendy & Gordon our Yellow Lab The CokeCachers 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 27C - Toad 1973 VW Beetle Retired National Park Ranger Boondocking with Solar Panels, Inverter & Generator Motosat F1 D2 Internet Satellite System Click to see where we are >> http://map.datastormusers.com/user2.cfm?user=2276 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kalynzoo Report post Posted December 8, 2009 Shame. Glad you were not hurt, it could have done a lot more damage if it hit the rig. As for the VW bug, they never really die. If you don't have it restored I would bet that every piece will go to maintaining or restoring another bug. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbutler Report post Posted December 8, 2009 Mike, Wendy and Gordon, So glad you weren't hurt in this accident. Sorry about Barney. He took quite a punch in the nose not to mention his behind. Hard to believe it didn't damage your motor home. Hope you have better luck with your next toad. We've driven that stretch of I-5 many times and have encountered the stop and go traffic in and around Sacramento. We do our best to stay out of it but sometimes there is just no escaping the traffic tie ups. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWJeeper Report post Posted December 8, 2009 My biggest fear ... Glad you weren't hurt and the RV came through it undamaged. Hopefully you can replace Barney. Those Vee Dubs are getting harder to find. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
banditrider776@gmail.com Report post Posted December 10, 2009 Ouch, that must have hurt, and it looks like it left a mark. My condolences for Barney. Good thing the dump truck wasn't going much faster or it could have really been a mess. One piece of advise, have the frame on your MH check for bending or buckeling, seeing as how the tow hook up was bent. Those things take a lot to bend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikecoke Report post Posted December 12, 2009 Thanks for the Comments & good wishes. Frame checked out OK New hitch has been mounted & new tow bar purchased to tow thw new to us 1973 VW Beetle. More of of Sunshine here>>> 1973 Beetle Pics Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
