Towing a 1963 VW Beetle
I have a 1963 VW Beetle and I’m looking to tow it (4 down) behind my 1995 Carriage Callista Cove. I have a Blue Ox tow bar but I can’t seem to find a base plate for the VW. Anyone have any suggestions?
Forum Discussion
- Your right "Beacher", it is worth the money not to lay down on the road every time you want to hook/unhook. The Baseplate cost was $400 (round numbers) and the tow bar, on Craigslist, was $450. I installed it myself so no cost there.
We just got back from a 2,000 mile trip, from Cloverdale to Spokane then to Seattle, down to Portland then back to Cloverdale. It towed like a feather, and never had to get under it to hook/unhook.
Now like “navigator” said I need to get some locking pins to keep it secure, I would hate to have it stolen. - I just visited the Blue Ox website and the baseplate is model number: BX3810
It's serious overkill to install a baseplate AND use a separate tow bar. I guess the best benefit of spending all that cash for a Blue Ox towbar is not having to lay down on the road.
The same $100 all-in-one VW tow bars have been around since the 60's when folks were towing their Manx DuneBuggys, and home made Baja-Bugs behind their MiniWinnies. navegator wrote:
Make shure that you use keed locks instead of the hair pins, VW's are a hot item today and can be stoen real easy, towed mine for mant years.
navegator
Isn't that the truth!!
I drove a 1971 Karmann Ghia from 1983 through 1993 that I purchased for $1,800. I sold it for $2,500, and thought that I did good.
I recently was interested in acquiring a new to me NICE Karmann Ghia as a toad, as I still have a two Type 1 spare engines in storage. I was shocked to find that they are now going for $15,000 to $30,000!!
And those are not even "restored", but just nicely kept rust free original-mile vehicles.gwol wrote:
Well I just finished a 4 day road trip towing my 63 VW. Cloverdale, through San Francisco, to Pismo Beach, behind my 1995 Carriage Callista Cove. A couple of weeks ago I installed a Blue Ox base plate and Blue Ox tow bar. It was very easy to install took a total of 3-4 hours. The VW is 1,500 pounds so I did not install any type of break assist system. I have to say I never even knew I was pulling anything and the hook up and unhook was a breeze, less then 5 minutes.
Where did you get the baseplate?- Well I just finished a 4 day road trip towing my 63 VW. Cloverdale, through San Francisco, to Pismo Beach, behind my 1995 Carriage Callista Cove. A couple of weeks ago I installed a Blue Ox base plate and Blue Ox tow bar. It was very easy to install took a total of 3-4 hours. The VW is 1,500 pounds so I did not install any type of break assist system. I have to say I never even knew I was pulling anything and the hook up and unhook was a breeze, less then 5 minutes.
- Make shure that you use keed locks instead of the hair pins, VW's are a hot item today and can be stoen real easy, towed mine for mant years.
navegator gwol wrote:
Back when I was towing it, starting in 1970, there was no factory setup for lights, so the same shop that fabricated the towbar, also fabricated a set of clamp on lights for the rear, that plugged into the RV. Today, I would use the "wireless" lights like the ones I currently use on my truck, when it is in tow. They work GREAT.....The Texan wrote:
I towed a 64 for thousands of miles. I had a shop in the Bay Area build a towbar for me, similar to the one posted by rv2go. It towed beautiful.
Texan one quick question, what did you do for lights on the VW?The Texan wrote:
I towed a 64 for thousands of miles. I had a shop in the Bay Area build a towbar for me, similar to the one posted by rv2go. It towed beautiful.
Texan one quick question, what did you do for lights on the VW?- Thank you guys for all your help. Going to pick one up and give it a shot. I will let you know how I make out. Thanks Gus
- Many years ago I used a tow bar similar to the one recommended by rv2go. It worked great.
And, a 1963 VW Beetle will be a really cool toad.
My only concern would be, someone deciding they need it more than you need it. :(
