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Old 02-03-2014, 03:52 PM   #1
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To Tow or NOT to Tow ???

We have a 1999 VW Beetle (5 Speed Manual Trans) and there are so many conflicts here with to tow or not to tow. I talked with VW and the guy says it's ok as long as it's not an automatic.
The manual claims 50 miles at 50MPH....Why would that be?? Can anyone explain why it CANNOT be towed with all four on the ground?? If I can't tow it all four on the ground it'll be "For Sale"....I cannot find a reason why PLUS Roadmaster and another make Baseplates for towing...HMMMMMMMMMM!!!
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Old 02-03-2014, 04:15 PM   #2
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I believe there have been some previous posts on the VW five speed and four down towing. My recollection is that the six speed is not towable but the five speed is. Lube while towing is the issue I believe, but check it out. Got a manual?
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Old 02-06-2014, 10:45 AM   #3
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Any restriction with a manual transmission would be related to the lack of lubrication when towing in neutral. The lubrication requires that the gear that is in the pool of oil be turning in order to circulate the oil. When towing in neutral the output shaft is the only thing turning and if it doesn't turn the gear in the oil nothing get lubricated. Some transmissions do and some do not.
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Old 02-06-2014, 12:47 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis_K View Post
Any restriction with a manual transmission would be related to the lack of lubrication when towing in neutral. The lubrication requires that the gear that is in the pool of oil be turning in order to circulate the oil. When towing in neutral the output shaft is the only thing turning and if it doesn't turn the gear in the oil nothing get lubricated. Some transmissions do and some do not.
best explanation i've heard yet!
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Old 02-07-2014, 10:57 AM   #5
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Makes sense.....Thanks ...
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Old 02-07-2014, 11:38 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sammax View Post
We have a 1999 VW Beetle (5 Speed Manual Trans) and there are so many conflicts here with to tow or not to tow. I talked with VW and the guy says it's ok as long as it's not an automatic.
The manual claims 50 miles at 50MPH....Why would that be?? Can anyone explain why it CANNOT be towed with all four on the ground?? If I can't tow it all four on the ground it'll be "For Sale"....I cannot find a reason why PLUS Roadmaster and another make Baseplates for towing...HMMMMMMMMMM!!!
sammax,
I have spoken to no less than a dozen guys at various RV parks and campgrounds that were towing late model VW TDI bugs and, some were towing the late model TDI Jettas. All of course, were stick versions. About 95% of those guys went to their local VW dealership and talked with the transmission tech at each establishment. No, they did not talk with a service writer or supervisor, just the trans tech.

Every one of those people that talked with the techs told me the techs told them it would be fine to flat tow their VW models. They (the techs) could not put it in writing because it would go against VOAs policy of none of their fleet to be flat towed. VOA is missing the boat on this but, apparently it's not important enough to them to authorize flat towing of at least some of their fleet. Apparently they sell enough and, the ones they're not selling to us RVers for flat towing is a "no biggie" issue to them.

But, the point is, I've seen many, many later model VW bugs, Jettas and Jetta Sport Wagons being flat towed. It's up to you. I'd do it in a heartbeat if it weren't for the need of our truck as a toad. The he... with VOA and their rules.
Scott
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