QuestionI have recently bought a vw bug and want to tow it from colorado to pennsylvania behind my 98 jeep cherokee limited, with a tow bar. i am worried about swaying of the vw since ther will be little to no toung weight. Does this sound safe? Also should the steering be locked or un locked? Thanks for your time.
AnswerI will answer by giving you a little reading to do.
I am not an expert at "dinghy towing" towing on all four wheels as opposed to with a tow dolly or full trailer. But this is a site that I have gone to a lot for information:
http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/dinghytowingguide/index.cfm
With a little research you can find what you need there.
I am not sure if flat towing in neutral would be bad for the transmission or not. Some manual transmissions need lubrication that they don't get when just the wheels turn, and not the engine.
I would also recommend that you contact some of the many VW Beetle clubs, and here is a business that knows a lot:
http://www.mamotorworks.com
As for tongue weight, that is not a factor when flat towing, or towing with a dolly. Only if you have a load fully on a trailer do you worry about tongue weight. IN which case the rule of thumb is 10% of total weight on the hitch ball.
I think when flat towing you have to have the steering unlocked so the wheels can turn, otherwise they would scrub real bad.
Don
