Question on a 70 VW Bus
 

I am in need of a vechicle to tow when we go on trips. We have a suburban but it's heavy and I prefer not to take it on camping/beach trips. The vehicle will be towed with our motorhome and needs to sit 8 (we have 6 kids). I am considering a 70 VW bus: good price point, can sit up to 9 with the correct sitting configuration, easy to work on, parts are cheap, and it's fairly light weight (2000 lbs I think...is this right?). My question, is anything special required to tow a VW bus? I read some vehicles require transmission pumps and am wondering if the VW requires this or some or preparation? Thanks for your help and here is a picture of the motorhome: 1985 Bluebird, PT-40.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1175031871.jpg

v/r
Wayne C.

Well first off, you need a bigger RV. Can't well do any traveling in THAT piddly thing. :)

Cool RV. I think towing a bus would be sweet. You can try to pm widebody911, he'll know the answer.

Bill

i think a bus would be too top heavy and bouncy to be safe back there. very prone to getting blown off the road in stiff side winds also.

Agree, especially with the center of gravity in the rear, like a VW Bus would have.

Thanks guys. Is this a major problem or just a concern? I would not be driving fast, 60 tops. The VW bus seems like the perfect choice but of course I do not want to be unsafe. Can anything be done to help the situation?

What if I were to use a tow dolly? Would that help the situation?

v/r
Wayne C.

I respect what JW has to say, always. But, under way, your VW bus would be in the "draft" of the MH. It would have to be enough of a cross breeze to blow the thing over standing still, in one way of thinking. Of course, JW is thinking of the dynamics and how a VW bus might be upset by the road conditions just at an inopportune time.

Now, to counteract, you could work the VW over a bit. You could lower it and remove the reduction axles. You might even gain a small bit of negative camber, especially if you load the bus with some of your excess gear while towing. That would provide an additional level of stability.

To change the ride height in a bus is the same as a bug. And, you can use a bug tranny w/o the reduction gears. No reduction gears means a heavier strain on the bus motor, but it doesn't sound like you will be using it too much and too loaded. Even with the additional strain on the bus motor, one advantage is that it's not wound out tight at 65 MPH. You just need to use 3rd more when you start up a slight grade and slow down to keep from over revving the motor, a sure way to early failure.

I like your choice of vehicle to be towed, but there are some others, too. Or, you could throw a six in that bus!!

old buses had the reduction gears and no power 30-40 hp
by 70 no old style bug parts are in a van
the 70 is a type 4 same as a 914 motor about 90hp in bus tune
and I think they did in the reduction gears too by then
but mid 2k pounds is more real then a flat 2000
I would tow it backwards on a dolly that gets the weight up front
and saves the trans from spinning too

If you decide on thte VW, it MUST be painted in a matching color scheme! Pictures, we want pictures! Blue Bird....nice! ;)

Pretty sure '67 was the last year for reduction axles, wasn't it?

I think '72 was the first year for the type 4 engine, and it was a 1700cc.

The 1970-71 vans still had the upright type 1 engine, with dual port head. Quite a desirable setup actually, especially in comparison with the early 1700cc type 4 engines.

I'm sure Widebody911 will shime in and correct me.

FWIW, I REALLY like the early baywindow buses. I vote yes, if all safety concerns are covered.

What about one of the later model VW vans. Weren't they called vanagons? They might be a little heavier and more stable than the old buses. I assume they would be easy to work on. Here is what I am talking about

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/cat.php?id=55

I don't know if they will have enough seating.

Thanks Milt, I really appreciate your comments. Of course I greatly value JW's comments...no doubt he has forgotten more about cars that I know.

I am going to pursue a bus and see what I can do to increase it's stability. Safety is my main concern so I hope to be able to make this happen safely. The VW bus is such a great ride, I just gotta do it.

v/r
Wayne C.

Don't you know it! The wife is already working a paint scheme and we are going to paint it ourselves...can't wait. Pics forthcoming...but I gotta get the SC running again first..fixing oil leaks.

Thanks for all the comments guys.

pookie, I think I'm going to stick with the Type 2 bus, it's a classic, just gotta do it. I've got a couple of candidates in the San Diego area I'm going to look at this weekend.

v/r
Wayne C.