kombi towing abilities

alexit Casual Dubber

32 posts · joined Aug 2003 · 13 Feb 2004, 6:44 pm

#139323

Hi
I have been a long time reader, though my postings have been few 🙁
Anyway, I am looking for opinions....
I have a nice strong 2L bus that I intend to use to tow around my new boat rig. The kombi has a good towbar, mounted correctly (not hanging of the bumper!) and the rig will weigh about 300kgs all up.
Now I know that the dub will pull it and it is well within the legal limit, but.... do you think I am gunna kill something over time pulling this round? Anything that I should keep an eye on?
Thanks.........alex

modulus Veteran Volks Folk

2,009 posts · joined Jul 2003 · 13 Feb 2004, 7:08 pm

#139325

alexit wrote:... 300kgs all up.
... do you think I am gunna kill something over time pulling this round? Anything that I should keep an eye on?

It's not going to kill anything... Kombis and their bretheren were made for carrying a load and towing was always envisaged...
this is a modest total weight to be towing. The usual towing and boating aspects should be taken care of, especially if salt water gets near the Kombi.

For long distance, you might want to consider an oil temperature gauge, as they give you a bit of early warning when your Kombi is feeling stressed.

Good luck

Peter Hill
1975 Type 2 Double Cab
modulus.com.au

tonyg Seriously Crusin Dubber

174 posts · joined Oct 2003 · 13 Feb 2004, 7:17 pm

#139328

I towed a 6m wooden boat 3/4 full of of water up a gravel ramp in a beetle. You should have seen the looks on the faces of the holden brigade...
you won't have any probs

they took me away haha, hope the medication works

11CAB If ya got it....Baja it

4,674 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 14 Feb 2004, 6:55 am

#139463

Kombi's are a true "one tonner" so towing 300kgs wont be a problem.....I towed a 72 Twincab back from Dubs by the Pub last weekend with our 74 Kombi.....but "shooosh" dont tell anyone....

65 Meyers Manx
68 Country Buggy (KO 367)
68 Country Buggy (KO 669)
68 Country Buggy (KO 789)
68 Country Buggy (KO 815)
68 Baja Bug
76 Baja Kombi Twincab

twoguns simply aircooled

4,275 posts · joined Nov 2002 · 14 Feb 2004, 9:15 am

#139513

mate, wouldnt be a problem ever i would think. in the pick below is my mate steve. in the background is his ute, it has a 1600 and he has towed neville out (pic'd in the forground) as well as hundreds of other beetles, notchs, buses, and my harley ( the alarm wouldnt deactivate). he is right now upgrading to a 2l, for the same use. so you shouldnt have a prob.

also, my splitty carried 1.9ton over a wiegh bridge at the tip in gosford once....

Simply Cruzin'...

Softop Seriously Crusin Dubber

167 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 14 Feb 2004, 9:41 am

#139519

alexit wrote:I have a nice strong 2L bus that I intend to use to tow around my new boat rig. The kombi has a good towbar, mounted correctly (not hanging of the bumper!) and the rig will weigh about 300kgs all up.
Thanks.........alex

Ok, so the 300kg covers the boat trailer....maybe....but what about when you put the boat on it ?
BTW, if it's a yacht, raise the sails first, better fuel economy 🙂
Roger.

If you drive fast enough you're past the accident before it happens !

modulus Veteran Volks Folk

2,009 posts · joined Jul 2003 · 14 Feb 2004, 11:34 am

#139538

Softop wrote:Ok, so the 300kg covers the boat trailer....maybe....but what about when you put the boat on it ?

You're thinking of stinkboats.
Many single handed sailing boats (Laser, Europe etc. etc.) weigh less than 100 kg with all their fittings and sails, so 300 kg all up is quite reasonable.

Peter Hill
1975 Type 2 Double Cab
modulus.com.au

alexit Casual Dubber

32 posts · joined Aug 2003 · 14 Feb 2004, 4:35 pm

#139592

Thanks for all the help guys.
An oil temp guage?...already a done thing:thumb
And yes the rig will be 300kg all up.
The boat is a 13ft ply/epoxy hull that I have been building over the last month or so. It is almost ready for paint and it tipped in at just 130kgs the other day. Add to that 130kg of trailer and another 50kg in outboard/fuel/stuff....
Hey that makes it 310kg. But it seems the kombi won't have problem.😀

KruizinKombi Seriously Obsessed Cyber Dubber

3,493 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 15 Feb 2004, 10:35 am

#139786

Bloody hell, my trailer weighs more than 310kg empty!!! Shouldn't be any problem whatsoever. :thumb

Kruizin Kol

DoNkEy Wolfsburg Wizard

684 posts · joined Jul 2003 · 15 Feb 2004, 2:26 pm

#139846

I am looking at getting a kombi and a tow bar is a must.

Just wondering, if they dont have a tow bar, are they easy to get a hold of and install? Also is wiring a problem?

KruizinKombi Seriously Obsessed Cyber Dubber

3,493 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 16 Feb 2004, 12:27 pm

#140338

*Most* towbars simply attach using the same bolts as the rear bumper. I have had trouble in the past with towbars clashing with aftermarket exhaust systems, but this shouldn't be a problem with a stock exhaust.

Wiring is simply a matter of splicing into the loom near the RH tail-light.🙂

As for availablility, I'm sure I saw one in Buying/Selling recently for $65.

Kruizin Kol