Flat tow or trailer, Towing to WCR |
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Flat tow or trailer, Towing to WCR |
Dtjaden |
Apr 24 2017, 11:32 PM
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 232 Joined: 25-May 13 From: Morgan Hill, CA Member No.: 15,915 Region Association: Northern California |
I will most likely tow to the WCR. What are the opinions on flat towing vs using a trailer?
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McMark |
Apr 25 2017, 07:03 AM
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#2
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914 Freak! Group: Retired Admin Posts: 20,179 Joined: 13-March 03 From: Grand Rapids, MI Member No.: 419 Region Association: None |
If you have a trailer, use it.
If you don't, flat tow. That's pretty much it. |
johnhora |
Apr 25 2017, 07:32 AM
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#3
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 866 Joined: 7-January 03 From: Derby City KY Member No.: 107 Region Association: None |
If you have a trailer, use it. If you don't, flat tow. That's pretty much it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) And ...what is the towing capacity of your tow vehicle..... |
Tom_T |
Apr 25 2017, 08:04 AM
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#4
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TMI.... Group: Members Posts: 8,318 Joined: 19-March 09 From: Orange, CA Member No.: 10,181 Region Association: Southern California |
I really don't see the point of flat towing, if you're trying to save the wear on your car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
If you don't have a trailer, then borrow or rent one from UHaul, Penske, Budget, etc. - assuming your TV has the necessary tow ratings GTW & HW. Otherwise, just drive it & have fun! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) Tom /////// |
76-914 |
Apr 25 2017, 08:07 AM
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#5
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Repeat Offender & Resident Subaru Antagonist Group: Members Posts: 13,498 Joined: 23-January 09 From: Temecula, CA Member No.: 9,964 Region Association: Southern California |
I would say the advantage of flat towing over driving would be the peace of mind that "if" your teener takes a (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif) 800 miles from home you can still get it back home! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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914werke |
Apr 25 2017, 09:50 AM
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#6
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"I got blisters on me fingers" Group: Members Posts: 10,057 Joined: 22-March 03 From: USofA Member No.: 453 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
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EdwardBlume |
Apr 25 2017, 09:51 AM
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#7
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 12,338 Joined: 2-January 03 From: SLO Member No.: 81 Region Association: Central California |
I always chose a trailer for the brakes. Peace of mind on hills surrounded by morons.
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bandjoey |
Apr 25 2017, 11:28 AM
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#8
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bandjoey Group: Members Posts: 4,925 Joined: 26-September 07 From: Bedford Tx Member No.: 8,156 Region Association: Southwest Region |
There have been several threads on 2 wheel towing. I think HotShoe Don has done this. Might look into that too.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=33862 |
jcd914 |
Apr 25 2017, 02:27 PM
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#9
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,081 Joined: 7-February 08 From: Sacramento, CA Member No.: 8,684 Region Association: Northern California |
I use to flat tow my 914 to autocross events all the time.
Since the tires are on the ground and turning there is wear on tire, bearings, shocks, other suspension and steering bits but I think it is much less that if driven. But I did not tow to avoid the wear it was the potential break down and of course to fit all the crap I convinced myself I needed at an autocross. One of the advantages of flat towing is once the tow bar is removed for the car you can stash it in the tow vehicle or your hotel room, try that with a trailer or tow dolly. Braking is of course a concern but I never felt that my tow vehicle was under braked or that the weight of the 914 was even remotely controlling of my tow vehicle. Even with my Ford Aerostar which was the smallest vehicle I ever flat towed the 914 with. With my current Ford truck the 914 doesn't even register as being there especially compared to my 5th wheel trailer. Jim |
r_towle |
Apr 25 2017, 03:21 PM
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#10
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Custom Member Group: Members Posts: 24,574 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Taxachusetts Member No.: 124 Region Association: North East States |
I really don't see the point of flat towing, if you're trying to save the wear on your car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) If you don't have a trailer, then borrow or rent one from UHaul, Penske, Budget, etc. - assuming your TV has the necessary tow ratings GTW & HW. Otherwise, just drive it & have fun! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) Tom /////// AC! Nice seats. |
914werke |
Apr 25 2017, 03:25 PM
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#11
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"I got blisters on me fingers" Group: Members Posts: 10,057 Joined: 22-March 03 From: USofA Member No.: 453 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Totally agree, if you are concerned with the weight of an un-brake'd 914 moving you around, you are pulling with the wrong vehicle.
Ive flat towed quite a few 914's MANY miles, in a few different vehicles. The lightest being a 1/4 ton Ranger...Ive never had a problem. In the 1/2 Ton F150 you dont know its back there. As for wear-n-tear, if your car is in as Good, or Bad shape that its a worry, by all means rent a trailer. |
Mike Bellis |
Apr 25 2017, 04:30 PM
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#12
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Resident Electrician Group: Members Posts: 8,345 Joined: 22-June 09 From: Midlothian TX Member No.: 10,496 Region Association: None |
I flat towed mine from San Ramon to Medford OR without any issues. I sold my trailer because it was taking up space. I will be flat towing to WCR but I'm unsure of the route. Fr now it looks like I need to take 80 to Reno and turn South to get there... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
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Justinp71 |
Apr 25 2017, 04:38 PM
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#13
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,583 Joined: 11-October 04 From: Sacramento, CA Member No.: 2,922 Region Association: None |
Sorry for the semi hi-jack, but what's the preferred method for flat towing? Meaning do you have to weld tabs to the car or is there another way to do it? |
Mikey914 |
Apr 25 2017, 04:44 PM
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#14
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The rubber man Group: Members Posts: 12,660 Joined: 27-December 04 From: Hillsboro, OR Member No.: 3,348 Region Association: None |
this is my preferred method
http://shop.914rubber.com/914-Flat-tow-Bar...m?categoryId=-1 Designed to work with the EMPI tow bar about $88 at your local VW shop $122 if you can't get without the mount for the beetle Attached thumbnail(s) Attached image(s) |
Dtjaden |
Apr 25 2017, 04:48 PM
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#15
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Member Group: Members Posts: 232 Joined: 25-May 13 From: Morgan Hill, CA Member No.: 15,915 Region Association: Northern California |
Sorry for the semi hi-jack, but what's the preferred method for flat towing? Meaning do you have to weld tabs to the car or is there another way to do it? See this link for a member vendor 914 specific tow bar: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=294018 I have decided to flat tow. My tow vehicle is a 2001 BMW X5 which has a 5000 lb rating. Thanks everyone for your input to my question! Darryl |
Justinp71 |
Apr 25 2017, 04:49 PM
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#16
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,583 Joined: 11-October 04 From: Sacramento, CA Member No.: 2,922 Region Association: None |
this is my preferred method [url=http://shop.914rubber.com/914-Flat-tow-Bar-914FTB1.htm? Designed to work with the EMPI tow bar about $88 at your local VW shop $122 if you can't get without the mount for the beetle Sweet! I actually have that vw bar in my garage already. Thanks. |
Mikey914 |
Apr 25 2017, 05:24 PM
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#17
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The rubber man Group: Members Posts: 12,660 Joined: 27-December 04 From: Hillsboro, OR Member No.: 3,348 Region Association: None |
Easy peazy
Made mine specifically for that bar, but also making adapter brackets to use the HF model. Shipping is what kills as these have some weight |
wndsrfr |
Apr 25 2017, 08:35 PM
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#18
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,428 Joined: 30-April 09 From: Rescue, Virginia Member No.: 10,318 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Flat towed mine quite a bit with Volvo 850 turbo.....longest was 750 miles...got 21mpg on some sections of I85/I95!
Don't forget a set of magnetic brake/signal lights. I put mine in the rear window at the corner of the targa with a bit of duct tape to keep them from walking around & scratching up the paint. |
JRust |
Apr 25 2017, 10:47 PM
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#19
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 6,307 Joined: 10-January 03 From: Corvallis Oregon Member No.: 129 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
I have flat towed for years & love it. I would recommend maybe some plastic dip or 3m. Only down side I have is rocks getting kicked up from my truck. That would be the only reason I would prefer a trailer. Well that & the wear on your car. Otherwise flat towing is just so easy. Connect your car in just minutes. Don't have to worry about storing a trailer wherever you go. Which can be a chore when there are multiple people with trailers at our get togethers
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Mikey914 |
Apr 26 2017, 08:34 AM
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#20
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The rubber man Group: Members Posts: 12,660 Joined: 27-December 04 From: Hillsboro, OR Member No.: 3,348 Region Association: None |
I went Ghetto and bought the 20" roll of stretch wrap and went to town. Made it all the way to Tahoe and unwrapped the front. Worked like a charm
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