Flat tow, What do I need Options

[hndyhrr]

Hi Boys and Girls,

Here is my question. What do I need to assemble to flat tow the Pumpkin (1970)?

I will be towing with '21 Ford Ranger.

Want to purchase things starting now to be ready for next summer in Tahoe!

Thanks

Renee

[ValcoOscar]

@914werke


Rich has you covered

See ya in Tahoe (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

O

[914werke]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) HERE is the bracket
You also need the tow bar itself. Any of the 5K lb adjustable "V" bars will work. I usually recommend getting a coupon & picking up
one of the HF ones if you have a store local. Or if you are kinda remote, Amazon has a host of offerings, just shop for one with free shipping.
A 2" ball on your hitch, a set of magnetic tow lights (also a item HF carries) & you are set up.

[DRPHIL914]

Hi Boys and Girls,

Here is my question. What do I need to assemble to flat tow the Pumpkin (1970)?

I will be towing with '21 Ford Ranger.

Want to purchase things starting now to be ready for next summer in Tahoe!

Thanks

Renee

Get Rich's tow bar, remove front valance and mount that bar, get a helper its easier with 2 people. - get HF tow hitch set up with safety chains or cables, also get an adjustable drop hitch with 2"ball, i got mine on amazon , it was kind of $$ but nice and will slide up and down so you can get the tow bar level or very close to level, with my Navigator as th the tow vehicle i had to use the lowest setting about a 10"drop.
Also Amazon, got the wirelsess blue tooth tow lights, magnetic, i put some felt nder the magnets on the back deck lid and they didnt move or scratch, no wires to run, ,
I think thats about it. I posted some pictures on the octeenerfest thread and on my thread, or maybe it was the "what did you do to your 914 today" thread.

Towed this 6 hours and didnt even feel it back there. way better than a u-haul trailer whic is heavy my gas mileage was about 5mpg better flat tow than with trailer.

Phil

[DRPHIL914]

here’s are a few pictures of the bar, hitch and set up .
get an LE valance and mount it you don’t have to remove it, but the stock valance has to be removed .

[930cabman]

Guts and plenty of plastic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sunglasses.gif)

[76-914]

I don't recommend the Harbor Freight magnetic lights as the magnetics are anemic at best. There are several online trailer supply companies that sell lights, trailer tongues, hitches, you name it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[fiacra]

@914werke


Rich has you covered

See ya in Tahoe (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

O

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

However because I also own a VW Super Beetle I went with the 914rubber tow bracket because it uses the Empi tow bar that also works on my Super Beetle. In either case you need:
1) Tow bracket
2) Tow bar
3) Safety chains
4) Tow lights (the HF magnetics are wimpy, but they do hold)
5) Hitch with 2" ball (I like that adjustable drop hitch, although I don't have one)
6) Electrical connecter for the tow lights
7) Either an LE spoiler (got mine from 914rubber) or the willingness to keep removing and replacing your spoiler

Don't forget to disconnect your battery, unlock the steering column, release the parking brake, and put the transmission in neutral! Double check EVERYTHING before you hit the road.

[Mikey914]

Well I guess its time to announce the new variation we are making. Just back from powder coat. We are offering an option to get our towbars with the modification that allows for using the Harbor freight bars. Saving some money for those that don't have the Empi bar.

Same price as the Empi version aa the only real modification needed was opening up the space between the 2 brackets. Still just $125.

Will be up on the site shortly.


Mark

[kerensky]

Well I guess its time to announce the new variation we are making.

Well now, that's what I call service! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Mikey914]

Figured it was a simple tweak, so why not create a variant. I do like the EMPI set up best, but it's sometimes harder to find.

[sixnotfour]

Nice thing about the super beattle tow bar is , It has a drop built it in ,, less tow bar angle ..
doesnt change the force but yo dont need a big drop hitch..

https://ljaircooledengines.com/products/tow...QqAj7IG0nKu8P6o

[r_towle]

A sturdy rope, and a really good friend to drive the 914.
Simple

[infraredcalvin]

A few things I’ve learned flat towing a 914 to the track and back for a few seasons:

- don’t back up - front wheels jackknife quickly
- HF mag lights do not stick very well to trunk lid, the move a lot and tip over on LA freeways.
- mag lights and wires easily scratch paint with wind and vibration
- if it wasn’t for my ducktail, magnet lights would’ve slipped off end of trunk
- at night people do not see the 914 behind you, especially when you pass them and they want to change lanes to get behind you - after a day at the track, driving home at night I would leave parking lights on for better visibility of little car behind you, but that was because I could get home and it immediately got hooked up to charger in storage
- you can pull a 914 pretty quickly behind you, but remember your pull vehicle are the brakes for both, and the weakest link in the tow assembly is what you need to worry about
- best solution I had for brake lights was solidly mounting the hf mag lights to a plate that mounts to the ski rack holes under the targa bar (just a flat piece of aluminum or other metal with a few holes drilled in it). It placed the lights higher and more visible to cars behind AND to the side of me (it solved the night visibility issue I was having, so no more running with parking lights on)

[Montreal914]

Nice thing about the super beattle tow bar is , It has a drop built it in ,, less tow bar angle ..
doesnt change the force but yo dont need a big drop hitch..

^^^ Agreed! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I like the SB bar setup, clean and horizontal.

I like the idea or the ski rack mounting plate to raise the lights! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sunglasses.gif)

[Mikey914]

Like that idea. I'll make some up.

[mepstein]

Like that idea. I'll make some up.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) I’ll buy one

[DRPHIL914]

Nice thing about the super beattle tow bar is , It has a drop built it in ,, less tow bar angle ..
doesnt change the force but yo dont need a big drop hitch..

^^^ Agreed! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I like the SB bar setup, clean and horizontal.

I like the idea or the ski rack mounting plate to raise the lights! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sunglasses.gif)

Like that idea. I'll make some up.

Like that idea. I'll make some up.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) I’ll buy one

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I agree - so my lights were from a seller on Amazon and are very very strong , no issue with them moving like the HF ones. I got two sets so one set for the back trunk lid and the other set can go at the ski rack mount location. there is a more expensive 30" long bar that could be mounted up under lket that and again these are all wireless charged and blue tooth controlled so no wires to chafe your paint.

Phil

[DRPHIL914]

Has anyone found a bar besides the EMPI/super beetle bar that has the step so that we dont have to use as much of a drop hitch like i am now? i have only found the Blue Ox and one other brand but those are super expensive, in the $500-$1000 range (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Phil

[Mikey914]

That was my rub, and why we will continue to offer both options. I tow with my truck that needs the drop, so the EMPI bar works nicely and is cheaper than the drop hitch.

But, If you already have one, the HF is the inexpensive way to get the bar locally and you can use a coupon, as well as not have a shipping cost. So, it is significant.