Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2009
Posts: 939
Location: Los Osos, CA
| Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 4:51 pm Post subject: Soon to be Thing owner- Tow | |
| So im gonna be picking up a Thing this coming weekend and would like to tow it behind my Syncro 200 miles home. I have the correct tow bar and I know about unlocking the steering wheel. Now heres my question. The Thing has been sitting for some years and when I checked it out I noticed the rear axle has a ripped boot so I plan to remove both back axles, is there anything else I should check out? Cant wait to start working on it 1973 Thing | |
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Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2004
Posts: 573
Location: Pine Cove/ IdyllwildCA
| Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 4:59 pm Post subject: | |
| I just towed my new thing from Montana to Idyllwild (1200 miles) with no issues. I highly recommend jacking up the front end and checking for slop in the ball joints. Do the same for the rear, and check the rear wheel bearings for play. BTW, my Thing tracked great behind my truck at 65mpg. Good luck on the tow home! | |
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Samba Member
Joined: June 08, 2008
Posts: 90
| Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:16 pm Post subject: | |
| I would pull it for a little while and then stop and check the front hubs. If they are hot, you have bearing issues that need to be corrected before you continue to tow it. I have had issues with the steering being loose on one Thing that I towed a couple of times. It caused the thing to shake back and forth when I was pulling it. It appeared to be related to the steering damper. When it happened to me, I had to stop and start out slowly again. I was able to limp back home that way, but a new steering damper fixed the issue. I have heard of others using bungee cords connected to the steering wheel and the body to help hold the steering wheel straight. The bungee cords would stretch to allow the thing to turn but then would act as an axillary steering damper to hold the wheels straight. Best of luck, Scott | |
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Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 4784
Location: Marina, CA
| Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 12:23 am Post subject: | |
| bring spare tire(s) | |
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Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2006
Posts: 535
Location: The Midwest
| Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:52 am Post subject: | |
| I agree, bring spare tires. The originals could be dry rot since they have been "sitting for some years". | |
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Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2009
Posts: 939
Location: Los Osos, CA
| Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 11:19 am Post subject: | |
I dont have any spare tires for a Thing  , the tires on it now are like brand new and have those rubber hairlike things still on the tread_________________ 1986 Vanagon Syncro GL, westy interior, GW 2.4 and all locked up 1973 Thing | |
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Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2005
Posts: 1306
Location: Columbia, CA
| Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 1:28 pm Post subject: | |||
I towed our thing home from Clear Lake about 500 miles. 10 miles from home the left rear tire blew the tread destroying the fender. Still held air so I kept driving home. Check your hitch before leaving. I had to flip the hitch over and move the ball over so I could get it lower. Seems best around 12" to 16" off the ground to ball height. | |||
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Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2005
Posts: 1435
Location: Henderson, Nevada
| Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 2:18 pm Post subject: | |
| Just a thought on tires. Mine originally had cool unused 7.00x15 knobbies that the PO installed - still had the casting nubs. However they sat for years in his driveway. The sides were dry-rotted/cracked and they wouldn't hold air for more than a day. Maybe pack an air guage, 12v air compressor, and some fix-a-flat just in case. Oh...and check the lug nuts - I'm sure you already know this. | |
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Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2007
Posts: 1771
Location: New Caledonia
| Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:10 am Post subject: | |||
And read this : | |||
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Samba Member
Joined: June 26, 2006
Posts: 48
Location: Queens NY
| Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:53 am Post subject: | |
| I flat towed my thing from Gorgia to NYC with no problems at all. I did the trip in one shot and at times got up to 75-80 because I forgot it was back there (towed real smooth). I checked the tires and tow bar acouple of times otherwise not a single problem. Oh I should say I towed with a dodge megacab, very long and heavy which equals smooth. I'm not sure how many miles that is, but I know I was very near florida. What I'm saying is hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Good luck and post pictures. | |
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