Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2004 VW Beetle with 5-Speed Manual Transmission
Question:
We have a Falcon ll all terrain 522 6,000 lb tow bar that came with the coach we just purchased. We have a 2004 VW Beetle 5 speed manual. Will this tow bar work on the VW ? Also, if so what base plate would i need to attach to the VW ? Thank You.
asked by: Chuck H
Expert Reply:
Your Roadmaster Falcon All-Terrain tow bar # RM-522, with its 6000-lb capacity, will easily handle the weight of your 2004 VW New Beetle. Apart from the tow bar itself, flat towing also requires a set of base plates, a wiring/lighting kit and a supplementary braking system for the towed car. Also required are safety cables, and often a high/low hitch adapter to keep the tow bar level. Each of these items is reviewed in detail in the linked article on flat towing. This is a great place to get started.
I could not access an online owner's manual for your Beetle to check whether the folks at VW approve the 2004 manual transmission 5-speed Beetle for flat towing with all wheels on the ground. The auto maker gets the final word on this and your owner's manual should have a section (usually under the heading 'recreational towing' or 'flat towing') which will tell you if the car can be transported in this manner and what preparations steps, if any, are required to get it ready for this kind of operation.
If your Beetle is the Type S, then you can use Roadmaster's EZ base plate kit # 521225-1 which is directly compatible with the Falcon. If it is not the Type S you'll need to use Blue Ox base plates # BX3815 which will require an adapter, part # RM-031. For a lighting kit you can use easy-install magnetic lights like # TL21RK which will not require permanent modifications to the car like diode kits. For safety cable use # RM-643.
For the required braking system I recommend the proportional braking Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR because it offers fully-portable design and wireless operation.
For a high/low hitch adapter you can use the linked page. You want to choose one so that your connected tow bar remain close to level (or at least no more than 3-inches above or below level).
Products Referenced in This Question
Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Roadmaster
more information >
Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- Recurring Set-Up
- Portable System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Air Brakes
- Air Over Hydraulic Brakes
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Blue Ox
more information >
Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Blue Ox
more information >
Roadmaster Tow Bar Adapter Brackets for Blue Ox Base Plates
- Accessories and Parts
- Base Plates
- Tow Bar
- Adapters
- Roadmaster to Blue Ox
- Roadmaster
more information >
RoadMaster 68" Single Hook, Coiled Safety Cables - 6,000 lbs
- Safety Cables
- Coiled Cables
- 68 Inch Long
- 6000 lbs GTW
- Snap Hooks
- Coated Cables
- Roadmaster
more information >
Heavy Duty Magnetic Tow Lights - 20' Wiring Harness with 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Bypasses Vehicle Wiring
- Removable Tail Light Kit
- 20 Foot Long Harness
- Universal
- Magnetic Mount
- Optronics
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster Falcon All-Terrain Tow Bar - Non-Binding - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,000 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount Style
- Telescoping
- Steel
- 6000 lbs
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Crossbar
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Direct Connect
- Stores on RV
- Non-Binding
- Roadmaster
more information >
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