Towing a 914 ...how ?

[cliff]

Does anyone have any idea about towing a 914 safely. I will be towing it with a Jeep Cherokee that has a tow hitch. I just done't know how to attach a tow bar to the 914 body without damaging it. Any idea ? Does anyone know how to get a hold of a tow bar for this application ? Got any pics ?

Thanks in advance.
Cliff

[This message has been edited by cliff (edited 10-15-2001).]

[AaronM]

I know this isn't quite what you were thinking, but you may want to just rent a tow dolly from U-Haul. That seems to be the easiest solution.

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Shifting is an art. Learn it, love it, live it.

[jabb]

Check this thread..........

http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum2/HTML/002732.html




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• Joe A.
• 84 911 Targa
• 75 914/6 3.0

[Joe Ricard]

As a matter of fact I am just into the front bumper section of my 74 2.0 Don't do it!!! This is not made like a bug. Used to have a 74 bug towed all over with a tow bar. If you try this with a 914 you will have the bumper dragging behind your jeep with two pieces of sheet metal that used to be your car.
Once I got the bumper off I noticed that there was some rust so.... It has grown into a full grown metal replacement job. I would assume this is common among teeners. Local hauls on a trailer from Uhaul are pretty cheap (real nice aluminum trailer). last month when I bought my car I one-way hauled it from Cleveland to Mississippi.

[3D914]

Cliff,

The tow dolly from U-haul works very well with the 914. I used it to tow my new purchase from Oxnard, CA to Phoenix, AZ. - no problems. The only precaution is to make sure the rear shocks are in decent shape so that the tail end won't scrape if you hit a bump. The dolly elivates the front, causing the tail to be lower than normal. Mine had firm shocks and at least 100# springs.

Also you may be tempted to tie off the shift level to try and keep the tranny in neutral - don't do it! Just put it in neutral and it will stay there.

Good luck,


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Gerard
74-914 2.0L
3D914
rodrigos6@juno.com

[BKOMAR]

I did tow the car all the way from Seattle to Kansas with a bumper hitch...it was the kind that presses (not attached) to the front of the bumper and chains go to the underside somewhere. I attached them to the front of the A-arms (triangulation point). It was flat towed in neutral without any CV's removed and it was NO PROBLEM... nothing was damaged and it towed excellent! The engine/ trans. is now in my 75 and doing great. I know people thought I was crazy...but it worked out fine...I have since towed 2 other 914's the same way without problem. Good luck, Brian

[BKOMAR]

BTW... I towed with an Isuzu Rodeo 4cyl, 2WD 160,000 miles, and could still do 70-80 on I-70...now the Oregon/Washington/Colorado passes were a different story...but we didnt have to get out and push! Brian

[cliff]

Thanks for all the help. I think I am going to do the UHaul thing as many of you suggested simply because I do not have a tow bar.Is it better maybe to tow the car backward with the rear mounted and the front end trailing, or is this asking for trouble with the front wheels tending to turn without reason ?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

You're asking for trouble from both the rear trunk and the roof flying off if you tow backwards. They weren't really meant to hold against 70 MPH "breezes" for very long.

If you're towing forward, you're only risking a single failure (front trunk). Not only is that opening designed to cope with 70+ MPH "apparent wind speed", but there are two catches on it. A couple of straps or bungee cords or suchlike can eliminate that worry alltogether, but you do have to worry about them damaging your paint.

Tow it forward.

--DD

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Pelican Parts 914 Tech Support

A few pics of my car: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Dave_Darling

[ptravnic]

I feel the neet to toot my own horn w/this topic but it applies so... I found the U-haul tow dolly ideal. Excellent control and decent speed (cruised in the mid 70's) I also have a Jeep Cherokee (1990 V6) and it did just fine. Oh yeah, the distance - San Diego to New Jersey in about 2 and a half days. Lots of mountains inbetween (Rte 70 through Colorado gets to almost 12K feet!). I am interested in trying the towbar option for around the town tris though. -pt

[ptravnic]

I feel the neet to toot my own horn w/this topic but it applies so... I found the U-haul tow dolly ideal. Excellent control and decent speed (cruised in the mid 70's) I also have a Jeep Cherokee (1990 V6) and it did just fine. Oh yeah, the distance - San Diego to New Jersey in about 2 and a half days. Lots of mountains inbetween (Rte 70 through Colorado gets to almost 12K feet!). I am interested in trying the towbar option for around the town tris though. -pt

[John Rogers]

For one time towing the U-Haul dolly is the best way to go. If you want to flat tow to autocrosses, time trials, etc then you can get a bar made that bolts to the four holes that are exposed when the front bumper is removed. Use some C-channel and it is a great project for the winter and to learn how to weld. Good luck.

[mcbrems]

Originally Posted by Joe Ricard

...If you try this with a 914 you will have the bumper dragging behind your jeep with two pieces of sheet metal that used to be your car....

This is a crosspost to ask about bumper strength:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/5380777-post6.html

Thanks,
MarkB

[3.2roadster]

check out David's stuff here Rennenmetal. I bought a tow bar from him and a super beetle bar from my local VW shop and flat towed all the way to Seattle and back about 1800 miles round trip. No problems and he is a really nice guy too. Highly recommend him.

Jim