Towing capacity?

697 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by 16v po boy, Nov 29, 2001

Kafer 53

Discussion Starter · Nov 27, 2001

Any idea what the towing capacity of a 66 Westy with a 1500sp might be? I'd like to tow either a squareback or a Rabbit convertible with one. Would I be better off having the Westy the one "in tow"?

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Re: Towing capacity? (Kafer 53)

I've looked through the 66 owners manual and found nothing about towing capacity, but I have a few more pieces of literature to look through and I'll let you know if I find anything!

[EDIT] Okay, my bus expert friend got back to me and says he has no idea...but would guess that it could pull around 1000 lbs since he knows several people who tow Eriba Puck trailers with no problems (they weigh around 800 lbs). He did say that the 1500 motor will REALLY be working to tow though, and recommends a bigger motor (i.e. 1776) if you plan on towing often.
Katie

[Modified by Toothbrush Song, 8:18 AM 11-27-2001]

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DocT

· #3 · Nov 27, 2001

Re: Towing capacity? (Kafer 53)

In 1986 I towed a Type 3 Karmann Ghia from San Diego to Aberdeen, Washington with my 1966 Westy with a 1641dp and was able to maintain freeway speeds almost the entire way. Yes, the drive over the grapevine and the siskiyous was a Barbara Streisand but it wasn't that bad of a trip.

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130_R

· #4 · Nov 27, 2001

Re: Towing capacity? (DocT)

I tow a trailer with canoes and kayak's often with my 77 transporter, but I have a 2l engine

You should be OK, as long as your are going downhill

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Kafer 53

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: Towing capacity? (Kafer 53)

Thanks for the tips. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
I'm picking up a 66 Westy real soon and would like to do a crosscountry adventure with it. I have a bunch of VWs now, but I figured the Rabbit convertible or the squareback would be the lightest, and we be a good chase vehicle (just in case). The more I thought about it thought, I think I would be better off using another car to tow the Westy, but then that defeats the whole purpose

. So I think I'll take my chances and go solo.

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Toothbrush Song

· #6 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: Towing capacity? (Kafer 53)

If your new Westy comes with a Westy tow hitch, I'll buy it off ya since you won't be using it

My buses both have big motors (2017 and 1776) so I would have no problem towing something!
Katie

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130_R

· #7 · Nov 29, 2001

Re: Towing capacity? (Toothbrush Song)

throw a Type 4 2 liter with a set of carbs in that Westy and you could tow all day long, at 55 mph.

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jackr

· #8 · Nov 29, 2001

Re: Towing capacity? (130_R)

Actually I used my '67 Bug w/ 1600 single port to tow a mazda/ford bseries/ranger pickup that a guy i know was using to move all his stuff from SC to FL. He broke down, and ghetto-towed him a few miles to a service station. He was so loaded down he was practically dragging ground. I didn't get out of 3rd gear, but it was towing just fine from one of the bumper mounts ..

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16v po boy

· #9 · Nov 29, 2001

Re: Towing capacity? (jackr)

had a 63 doublecab bustruck with a 1600 sp in it and towed everything immaginable. had a class 3 reciver hitch on it, I would load that baby up with whatever and tow whatever no problem. my biggest tow was a another bus. i was loaded down going to a show as well and she held up fine.!!!!!!!!!

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