Anyone tow a trailer |
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Anyone tow a trailer |
ThreeTwo |
Jul 21 2018, 11:44 AM
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#1
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 2 Joined: 25-February 16 From: Solihull, UK Member No.: 19,706 Region Association: England |
First of all hi... Owned our 914 for around 2.5 years and loving life!!
Living in the UK we have recently been on two Euro trips - each was around 1000 miles. The car was faultless and drives really well. The engine was rebuilt last year and the gearbox also had a major make over at the same time so mechanically it's strong We would like to tow a small tear drop caravan or perhaps a small trailer in the future and we're wondering if anyone on here has experience of towing?... Can anyone help with a tow bar solution please? thanks |
Mike Bellis |
Jul 21 2018, 11:50 AM
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#2
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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 welded in a hidden 2" hitch behind my license plate. It is extremely reinforced and tied to my roll cage and drivetrain mounting points.
Not sure what the final tongue rating is or how much I can tow. I do have 325hp to pull it though. |
mepstein |
Jul 21 2018, 03:23 PM
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#3
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,316 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
I wouldn't do it. If you know how thin the sheetmetal is on our cars you would would realize how easy it is to bend. The guys who tow a small trailer have all modified the car in some way.
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914forme |
Jul 21 2018, 04:11 PM
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#4
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Times a wastin', get wrenchin'! Group: Members Posts: 3,896 Joined: 24-July 04 From: Dayton, Ohio Member No.: 2,388 Region Association: None |
I towed a small tire trailer, weighted about 300 pounds with the tires / wheels. jacks, support tools, refreshments for the auto-x.
I would not tow a teardrop, just sounds like a recipe for disaster. In my EG33 build below you can see al the work I did to get a 2" hitch into my car. I spent way to much time building a hitch, customizing a bumper, etc.... |
bulitt |
Jul 21 2018, 06:02 PM
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#5
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Achtzylinder Group: Members Posts: 4,188 Joined: 2-October 11 Member No.: 13,632 Region Association: South East States |
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Coastal6 |
Jul 21 2018, 06:59 PM
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#6
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 47 Joined: 15-March 10 From: Florence, OR Member No.: 11,467 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
I wouldn’t try it.
The car is very light and there is nothing strong enough at the rear of the car to attach a hitch. |
Tom_T |
Jul 22 2018, 03:45 PM
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#7
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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 |
Paul,
In the UK you can easily lay hands on a lightweight Eriba Puck, which was made for T1 Beetles, Buses, etc., & there have been a few who've towed them with 356, 911/912 & 914s as well. At this point in time you'd need to find someone there familiar with the 914's unibody & have a custom made hitch built for your 914. I'd try to stick with a vintage 1960's - 70's Puck or Fawn in the 500-800 lbs. (US) range. Look them up with a Google & see what the old ones were. An added advantage to getting a classic trailer to match your classic 914, is that you can take it to Vintage Caravan Rallies & events there & on the Continent. Here's some inspiration - Good Luck! Cheers Mate! Tom //////// |
Mike Bellis |
Jul 22 2018, 04:12 PM
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#8
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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 |
mine is much like Gerald's orange car, except my 2" tube connects to the transmission brace which is now part of the cage. I also reinforced the rear sheet steel under the bumper so that I could attach two structural tow hooks. I used a Chevy Nova flip down license plate holder. |
Mark Henry |
Jul 22 2018, 05:11 PM
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#9
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
One of my donor cars the old chap used to tow a sunfish sailboat (dingy), the hull weight is 120lbs so maybe 300 lbs total.
Small is OK, a set of tires etc. but I wouldn't want much more. Then there was my dad who a weekend at a time moved the materials for a whole cottage/house up on a trailer behind a VW bug. His biggest sized load was a fully built spiral staircase. |
Larmo63 |
Jul 22 2018, 05:19 PM
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#10
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,264 Joined: 3-March 14 From: San Clemente, Ca Member No.: 17,068 Region Association: Southern California |
If it won't fit on the ski racks, front seat, or in one of the trunks, it ain't coming along with me.
That includes the wife. (No pee stops, no Starbucks and/or food stops.) Brilliant. |
worn |
Jul 22 2018, 05:32 PM
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#11
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can't remember Group: Members Posts: 3,164 Joined: 3-June 11 From: Madison, WI Member No.: 13,152 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
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burton73 |
Jul 22 2018, 05:36 PM
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#12
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burton73 Group: Members Posts: 3,552 Joined: 2-January 07 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 7,414 Region Association: Southern California |
I used my 1972 VW Super Beatle to tow my motorcycle trailers with 3 big dirt bike all over the deserts of So Cal. with my friends back when everything was new. A little slow but never a problem.
Bob B |
mepstein |
Jul 22 2018, 06:38 PM
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#13
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,316 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
I used my 1972 VW Super Beatle to tow my motorcycle trailers with 3 big dirt bike all over the deserts of So Cal. with my friends back when everything was new. A little slow but never a problem. Bob B Do you think the beatle might be different since it is not a unibody? |
Larmo63 |
Jul 22 2018, 06:51 PM
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#14
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,264 Joined: 3-March 14 From: San Clemente, Ca Member No.: 17,068 Region Association: Southern California |
If it won't fit on the ski racks, front seat, or in one of the trunks, it ain't coming along with me. That includes the wife. (No pee stops, no Starbucks and/or food stops.) Brilliant. If a bit, well, harsh. My 914-6 conversion scares the hell out of her. She drives a Cadillac Escalade, so I understand. She does like the new/old Karmann Ghia I just acquired, but the Porsche is too low for her. We give each other space too do some things on our own. |
mgp4591 |
Jul 22 2018, 07:17 PM
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#15
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,383 Joined: 1-August 12 From: Salt Lake City Ut Member No.: 14,748 Region Association: Intermountain Region |
I used my 1972 VW Super Beatle to tow my motorcycle trailers with 3 big dirt bike all over the deserts of So Cal. with my friends back when everything was new. A little slow but never a problem. Bob B Do you think the beatle might be different since it is not a unibody? Which one - Paul or Ringo? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) I'd like to see how the hitch hooks up to a Beetle because even though it has a pan/running chassis type config, the engine is still in the back and I'd think that would interfere with making a good connection with a hitch but apparently those pictures are showing it can be done. For us with water cooled conversions, we're using a cradle of some sort. My idea involves having a hitch attachment to that since it propels the whole vehicle. If it's done right like Mike's, it shouldn't be a big deal. With the stock config, I don't know if what the towing capacity would come in at safely... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) |
ThreeTwo |
Jul 23 2018, 02:14 PM
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#16
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 2 Joined: 25-February 16 From: Solihull, UK Member No.: 19,706 Region Association: England |
Really appreciate your comments and your experiences..
I'm looking at lightweight trailer options...man some look really cool |
Mark Henry |
Jul 23 2018, 04:45 PM
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#17
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
I used my 1972 VW Super Beatle to tow my motorcycle trailers with 3 big dirt bike all over the deserts of So Cal. with my friends back when everything was new. A little slow but never a problem. Bob B Do you think the beatle might be different since it is not a unibody? My '67 bus is unibody (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Technically it is a 3/4 ton, but the 914 is pushing its towing limit. I think my bus is only about 400 lbs heavier than the 914. A little over 2500 lbs (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-26-1222545375_thumb.jpg) |
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