What should have been a joyous time was not so joyous. I spent most of Sat. camped out on the couch with could only be described as a strong variant of the eboli-coli disease.
I was feeling rough.
I felt shitty. You can take that any way you wish. As I had been planning for this day, things were in motion and the task had to be completed. I powered through...
The bus had to be towed it's present location and that in itself is a simple task. Even so- I checked the Samba.com for valuable insight. Sure enough- lots people have towed and there were various ways to tow and a multitude of opinions on various towing techniques and various opinions on other people's opinions. Information good or bad- is good or bad. I decided to do what makes the most amount of sense and rent a UHAUL tow dolly, enlist the help of my father in law (he's got a nice new truck- with a nice new UHAUL installed hitch-I like the color of his truck) a photographer (my daughter) and the previous owner Marc -Good guy.
When towing a bus- the consensus is front wheels in the dolly, transmission in neutral and strapped and chained to ensure maximum stayonthetowdollyness.
As everything went according to plan- I've decide to include some pictures.
Here you go-
Going to get the Bus-
Light at the end of the Midtown Tunnel.
Here's the Blue Goose-ready to fly (in about 8 weeks) What you can't see by this picture- which was taken from Marc's driveway, was the slope of the driveway. While not very steep, there was a nice grade to it. Once the bus was clear of the garage-Marc and I stopped pushing and let gravity do it's thing. My father in law Jake was piloting the bus. I don't think it occurred to me or Marc or Jake for that matter- that the bus would go as fast as it did. The plan was for the bus to be in the location as it is this picture. Not part of the plan- was flying down the driveway, off the curb, narrowly missing the street sign- backwards! (You know things may be going wrong, or may be about to go horribly wrong when people in the immediate vicinity start going, "WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!!") In retrospect I don't think Jake wanted to be the bus pilot. That was decided when Marc and I started to position ourselves in the front of the bus in the "I'll push," position.
Here's the tow dolly being expertly positioned. Jake's driving his truck.
He's got some skill at towing. I've seen him tow some weird stuff when he was driving a rollback wrecker.
At the end of the tow dolly, by the bus are the built in ramps. Just slide the ramps out and your nearly done.
Sliding the ramps out. Once the ramps are out you can push the bus up the ramps or use a come along. The come along makes it easy.
I like this picture- I'm looking inside the bus and my daughter is in the reflection along with the house and street sign. It's a neat effect.
I'm looking at you-she's taking a picture of you and you're looking at us. What you don't see all that well is the street sign which is Mallard Crescent. (sign) confused? read the previous post.
I would like to say I'm supervising the placement of the bus in relation to the tow dolly.
I'm not- I felt rough- I was there, that's about it. Marc and Jake did all the work. Thanks guys.
When towing, make the sure the wheels that are on the ground are round, have air and will stay that way for the trip. The tires are worn but with no obvious problems. No leaks, cracks or splits. Good enough for towing 18 miles. Longer distance would require better tires or at least frequent checks. Safety is good.
Jake and Marc are attaching the come along, to ratchet or winch the bus up the ramps.
Once in place- you have to secure the front wheels using the tire straps. They ratchet as well. The UHAUL tow dolly is set up perfect for this. Ratchet everything tight, attach some chains
(your strapping points may vary) and off you go.
Here' we have Jake by the truck- supervising. Marc's on the comealong and Me looking gigantic, holding the bus in place. I think it's the angle of the picture. I look like a giant, with no ass.
One 1977 VW bus ready for a ride.The bus looks happy. Look at that proud stance..
A face only a mother could love.
I like it.
The bus has that D'OH!! look to it.
Jake's ready to go.
Arrgh!! Monsterr!
Man, that's funny, I don't care who you are...
Once you're on the road- you should stop at least once to check your chains and straps. Make sure your connections are tight. Check to make sure the bus is still in neutral. Check the tires.
Check the wheels to see if they are hot. (dragging brakes) Everything good. Good.
Here's the Blue Goose approaching it's new roost. AKA Scott and Amy's House. They have all sorts of pets, cats, dogs, turtles, freshwater fish, saltwater fish, a rabbit and now a Blue Goose.. they are letting the Blue Goose stay until it's ready to fly again.
Cheesy I know- it's cool though.
My youngest daughter is very excited about helping me work on it. She's helped me on my 74 SuperBeetle, 67 VW Bus, 71 SuperBeetle and now this one. I look forward to it. I hope she does too.
She's already asking if she can drive it. Funny- she asked me the same question when she was 3.
I think that's Cool. Scary but cool.
She might be able to drive it. If I get it fixed up. I got a little time..
What's a VW bus without Dead stickers?
There's some stickers on this one.
Filthy Hippies!
Here you go...token bus stickers.
The Blue Goose made it safe and sound. Time to get busy.As far towing a 77 VW bus- here's the ordered list.
- Rent a tow dolly
- Tow front wheels up.
- Transmission in neutral
- Verify rear tires are up for the trip.
- Use a comealong to help position the bus on the ramps.
- Make sure your wheels are strapped tight.
- Use chains to secure your bus.
- Early into your trip- stop and check your tow set up.
- Check chains
- Check transmission (neutral)
- Check Straps (tightness)
- Check wheels for dragging brakes (heat)
- Good? Good proceed.
- Take pictures make blog.
- Done.
