peegee5344 Report post Posted September 5, 2018 Hi All,, Newbie here getting ready to take our A Class Gassie to Florida in October from Ontario. We have a standard VW Beetle we plan on taking with us on a tow Dolly. Anyone out there tow a Bug that may have any recommendations or cautions or any helpful hints,, will be much appreciated. Coach is a 2005 Coachmen Santara 3510DS. Thank You for any and all input. Peter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted September 5, 2018 1 hour ago, peegee5344 said: We have a standard VW Beetle we plan on taking with us on a tow Dolly. Does this mean that it is standard shift? Knowing this will help in anyone giving suggestions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted September 5, 2018 That was to toad of choice back in the 70s with a tow bar. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted September 5, 2018 peegee5344, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. Looks like some confusion here: What year Beetle (basically asking old air cooled rear engine or newer front wheel drive)? Manual or automatic transmission? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peegee5344 Report post Posted September 5, 2018 Sorry,, thanks for the help,,, yes, it is a 2004, Manual (standard) shift, front wheel drive Bug convertible. The Manual doesn’t speak to being towed at all. Thanks again for any assistance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted September 5, 2018 Peter. Welcome to the Forum! Suggest flat bed trailer! Or drive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted September 5, 2018 Actually two answers to your question: VW has not deemed any of their vehicles towable 4 wheels down. Now, this could be for mechanical reasons OR due to VW lawyer conservativeness. Here is a good source of information strictly from a mechanical standpoint: http://www.remcotowing.com/Towing/Store.php You can put in your vehicle specifics and see what they recommend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted September 5, 2018 Didn't the OP ask about towing on a dolly? If so, assuming that the car does not have a live rear axle, what would be the problem of towing on a dolly with the front wheels on the dolly? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted September 5, 2018 2 hours ago, richard5933 said: Didn't the OP ask about towing on a dolly? Yes he did, but no info about year model or any other particulars except that it was a manual. I would assume that after finding that it is a 2004, and standard transmission, that it would be ok to place on a tow dolly with the front wheels on the dolly, since it is front wheel drive, the rear wheels are always being towed anyway. While doing some research before answering the question, there are many complaints about the standard tranny having many problems, nothing specific about what causes this, but I would think that is why VW chose not to give any specifics about towing that car, again, only speculation on my part. Older models of beetles were rear wheel drive, that is why I asked for more specifics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkhartjim Report post Posted September 5, 2018 I would verify that the VW front valance is hgh enough to load on a dolly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted September 5, 2018 Including rear end! Unlike the bus style, the bug is close to the ground...again, depending on year model. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peegee5344 Report post Posted September 8, 2018 Thanks for the insight folks,,, I’ll keep an eye on the fore and aft end as I do my first practice loading of the Bug. I read elsewhere as well about possibly needing a bit of assistance at the ramps by a board or two to make sure she drives up onto the ramps properly. I’ll report back after I’m done to let you know how I fared out. Tks again. Peter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seb1899 Report post Posted October 28, 2018 I tow my Volkswagen Eos on my Acme Tow Dolly, The ramps come off and are stowed so there is no clearance problem. My only complaint with the Acme is there is no 'lateral forgiveness' with the winches after loading. If you are not centered it's back down the ramps and try again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted October 28, 2018 3 hours ago, seb1899 said: I tow my Volkswagen Eos on my Acme Tow Dolly, The ramps come off and are stowed so there is no clearance problem. My only complaint with the Acme is there is no 'lateral forgiveness' with the winches after loading. If you are not centered it's back down the ramps and try again I used a Acme Tow Dolly for a couple of years. The new ramps are nice. I have never seen a Acme dolly that you couldn't move the winches. Take a fairley big hammer say a 16oz ball peen and a block of wood and see if you can't drift the winches sideways. Use the block to protect the base of the winch. They may be stuck because of the paint. They use to be removable if you removed the bolt at the end of the track. Here is a link to one of their instruction videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoizMRJ6aUo Let me know if they move. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted October 29, 2018 I know it's late for this thread, but the 2004 "New Beetle", manual can be towed 4 down, per Remco & Blue Ox makes a harness/base plate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
