Date:         Tue, 19 Oct 1999 11:01:54 MST
Reply-To:     dchris907@JUNO.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Christensen <dchris907@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      Towing a Vanagon (Was: Vanagon Down in Clinton,Oklahoma)
Comments: To: vw4x4@FYI.NET
Content-Type: text/plain

Now curious, if its a manual, what would be the precautions for towing?
4 down (tow bar)? 4 up(flat bed)? front down/back up? back down/front up?
(tow dollys)  I may be in a similar situation when I pick up my Westy
from the PO if airfares dont stay cheap.

TIA!
Dave
Phoenix, AZ
99 VW Jetta TDI
Soon to be owner of an 82 Diesel Westy
98 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel.


On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 12:07:27 -0400 EMZ <vw4x4@FYI.NET> writes:
>    Tow it home. If it is an atuomatic you will need to limit your
> distance and speed, or remove the rear axles. If I'm ever broke down
> at any distance away from home this is what I'll do rather than have
> a butcher mechanic repair my Van knowing he will never see you
> again.
>
>             Eric                   86-VW4x4
>             vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
>             Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler
>
>
> On Tue, 19 Oct 1999, John Rodgers wrote:
>
> > First, let me say a big thanks to all who have responded to my
> problem
> > with phone calls and to the gracious posts on my behalf by Ken
> Wilfy,
> > Joel Cort, and Joel Walker.
> >
> > As I gather more information, my needs change. Here are the facts,
> and
> > some questions. If any can point me in a direction it would be
> > appreciated.
> >
> > The cylinder on the left side of the vehicle, forward toward the
> driver,
> >
> > is the one that blew the piston. Symptoms were massive white smoke
> out
> > the tail pipe, aluminum particles welded to the spark plug, "Zero"
> > compression, case pressurization with leaking valve cover gaskets
> after
> > running engine with new gaskets  installed.
> >
> > Questions:
> > 1) Would it be possible to just pull and change a  cylinder and
> > piston/rings with corresponding head work. Or
> > What would you recommend given the symptoms.
> >
> > 2) Can anyone recommend a competent shop somewhere in the Oklahoma
> City
> > area. I can have the vehicle moved there.
> >
> > 3) Can I tow the vehicle on its own wheels. I'm thinking of maybe
> > renting a Ryder or U-haul van to haul my gear in, and perhaps
> trying to
> > tow the Vanagon behind all the way to Birmingham, AL which is my
> final
> > destination. I've a top mechanic there that I trust. Can this be
> done
> > with the van, given its rear engine/transaxle configuration.
> >
> >
> > Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
> >
> > John Rodgers
> > 580-323-6840   Room 130  Clinton, OK
> >