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> Trailing a 914 WITHOUT a trailer?????, How to do it??? plus or negatives??
Mueller
post Apr 29 2004, 11:27 AM
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At the Marina Auto-x, Ken Holladay (sp?) towed his car to the event behind his RV (I would think anything with the towing capacity would work)

Ken or anyone else that does this, can you share some details or tips or pictures on how you setup the car and the supporting hardware???

I have a trailer, but sometimes it would be nice to tow the car without having to use the trailer.

Thanks
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seanery
post Apr 29 2004, 11:33 AM
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Mike,
There is a guy named Chuck Atkins that tows his 71 -6 with a flat tow. He took the bumper off and made mount that attaches to the bumper mounts and supported it inside (I think). He had a bra made to fit over it so it didn't look super wierd. It really was nice. I don't have any pics, but he is a member of Touring Car Club.
TouringCarClub I bet they could get you in contact with him. He is/was an instructor.
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Demick
post Apr 29 2004, 11:40 AM
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I've considered making a flat tow setup like this. A few local autocrossers do this. You can use a VW tow bar, and all you have to do is fabricate a way to attach it to the car. Most people fabricate something that bolts to the torsion bar covers and also bolts through the front trunk floor between the torsion bar covers (with a backing plate for strength).

Demick
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URY914
post Apr 29 2004, 11:49 AM
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I use to flat tow my car all over the place.

Used a VW tow bar as advertized in Hot VW in the ads in the back, Fab'ed a bracket to mount to the bumper holes. Take off the bumper, bolt on the bracket, hook up the bar with the pins, and roll....

I got it in the attic if you need a picture.

Paul
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Howard
post Apr 29 2004, 11:59 AM
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Interesting, that's my today project. Bought a cheapo on ebay. Plan is to put car brackets behind grills if there is enough room there. Looks pretty simple, but you know how that goes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)


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Howard
post Apr 29 2004, 12:00 PM
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And the target..


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Joe Bob
post Apr 29 2004, 12:06 PM
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I sent Wattboy a towbar...dunno if he ever used it. I used to flat tow the Rocket all the time.
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URY914
post Apr 29 2004, 12:29 PM
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The problem is the sheet metal behind the bumper is only flat at the bumper mount areas. The rest of the area is radiused and it needs to be flat and square to the bar so the bar will pivot at the pins.

You see when you pull the bumper off.

Paul
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Joe Bob
post Apr 29 2004, 12:31 PM
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I mounted it with a plate behind the t-bar mounts.
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Mueller
post Apr 29 2004, 12:50 PM
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are there limitations with regards to turning or backing up while the car is hooked up?

it seems that the front wheels of the car would scrub when making any kinds of turns.

do the front wheelsl lock perfectly straight?
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URY914
post Apr 29 2004, 01:05 PM
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Yes, you can only back up if you're very stright and only go back a little bit before the wheels will start to turn right or left.

Can be a bitch when trying to get gas a a crowded station.

Paul
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richardL
post Apr 29 2004, 01:17 PM
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Would it hurt a car with a limited slip or locked diff? Is there any downside to towing that kind of setup long distances - wear and tear etc.?

Richard
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TimT
post Apr 29 2004, 02:39 PM
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FWIW my flat trailer with tirerack has just been put up for sale.... I dropped some coin and bought a 26 foot enclosed Haulmark.

Ill be PC and list it in the classifed also (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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KenH
post Apr 29 2004, 02:54 PM
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My "tow bar" attachment hardware goes thru the grill holes in the front bumper. It fits snuggly against the upper inside corners. I made a plate to dress up the holes.

If you open the hood and look down, the bar slips in below the headlights and snug against the outside metal that forms the trunk. There are 2 bolts on each side that fasten it in place. The bar has nuts brazed on so the bolts can be put thru the trunk wall and attached with out a hassle.

Ken
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jonwatts
post Apr 29 2004, 03:32 PM
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Yes mikez sent me a VW towbar and Brad helped me make a bar that bolts in place of the bumper. Works fine for around town, not sure if I'd use it to go to a far away track day. Brad sez he's seen T-bar covers mangled and torn off and figured it was from tow bar setups.

As for backing up, there are special tow bars that allow you to do that.

I haven't used mine in a while since now it's more convenient to borrow your trailer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) That's probably what your real problem is. You want to use the trailer in Antioch and it's in Fremont or vice versa.
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Howard
post Apr 29 2004, 06:27 PM
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As usual with my projects, I goofed and mounted plates too far apart. Thought it said max 46" separation but it was 41". Reading comprehension!!! A few rubber plugs and skinned knuckles later, all is well. Brackets fit easily behind grills, so no cosmetic problem.

Nice 'u-joint' setup on towed end. Eliminates need to mount on a perfectly flat area. Now to FLAPS for light wiring. Can I tap into the 914 tail and brake lights?


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Howard
post Apr 29 2004, 06:28 PM
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Pic 2


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STL914
post Apr 29 2004, 07:55 PM
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Howard,

I really like your set up. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif) Would you be willing to share some detailed info on its design; materials used, dimensions of components, and perhaps close up photos of the brackets mounted?

I also have a Santa Fe, a 2004 3.5 liter. How does yours handle towing the 914? Do you feel that the Santa Fe has enough power?

Thanks
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URY914
post Apr 29 2004, 07:56 PM
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Very nice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Paul
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jonwatts
post Apr 29 2004, 08:02 PM
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Howard, you should get some Porsche Cayenne badges for your Santa Fe. They look similar enough (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
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