jeririch
Arizona
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Joined: 07/15/2010
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I have read some posts about towing with a towbar, but my question now is should the speedometer cable be disconnected before towing, as the odometer is run from the front wheel not the tranny like on most cars or trucks.
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gbopp
The Keystone State
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Joined: 08/03/2008
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I'm not familiar with the VW but, on the older cars you could just unscrew the speedometer cable from the back of the speedometer.
I don't know if you could do it to a 73 VW.
An old beetle has to be the coolest and lightest toad I've seen. 
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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If I remember, and I actually had a '73 Super Beetle, you can just unscrew the cable at the back of the speedometer, inside the "trunk" up front. It wasn't a big project...a pair of pliers, and you were done in about a minute!
But, it may be that there is a cover....hey, it's been almost 40 years since I had that baby......but it still shouldn't be too much of a project, and you may want to leave the cover off if you tow a lot.
Happy Camping.......post a picture of the rig, once you get it all set up!!
Bill & Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris / GS MJ
Dogs: Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie, Annie, Maggie, Tugger & Beau
RIP: Cookie, Foxy & Gidget @ Rainbow Bridge.
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April 2008 FMCA# F407293
The Pets
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Economical Handyman
S. California
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Sure and easy to do.
DeWayne & Judy
04 3810 Dutch Star
ISL 370
Frank's autoformer
01 Sahara Jeep-toad
Blue Ox Aventa II
F 374382
This is not the "GOLDEN-YEARS", it is the "RUSTY-YEARS" !
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The Texan
Home: Idaho - Location: Texas
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We did on our 64 bug years ago, when we towed it.
Bob & Betsy - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever"
'05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins W/ 540w/35A solar system -Pulling our '05 GMC Sierra LT, CC, Z-71, w/ 2010 Silver Rzr in back.
Where the wheels are stopped
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Healeyman
Carrollton, TX
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jeririch wrote:should the speedometer cable be disconnected before towing
Why bother? I'd bet that your '73 VW Beetle has depreciated about as far as it is going to. I doubt that another 50,000 rolling miles is going to effect your future resale value.
It's probably already worth more in parts than it is as a whole car.
Tim
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jmaotto
Rockwall, Tx
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That's what I say, why bother. Unless you are trying to keep track of the miles for oil changes. You will still need to do the lubricaton of the fittings on the torsion tube and maybe the ball joints.
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PUCampin
Castaic
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I had a 75 Super Beetle as my first car. At least with mine it was not easy to access the rear of the gauges to unscrew the cable. I think it could also be unscrewed at the wheel.
Man, I had a love hate relationship with that car! I learned a lot about working on cars, because I was always working on it. Always blowing out fuel lines, heat was a joke, no defogging, expensive parts (75 had multi-port fuel injection), Ugh. I commuted 65mi each way to college over Cajon Pass ( very long 6-7% grade) for 2 years. 50-55 in the truck lane was the best it's screaming CA spec 50hp could do. Looking back I guess it built character My mechanical knack came from my mom's side and skipped a generation, so I never got any garage time as I was growing up. Most everything I know is self taught, and a good amount of that basic knowlege was learned on the Beetle.
2007 Expedition EL 4x4 Tow pkg
2006 Pioneer 180CK (No more PUcampin!)
Nights in 10: 15
Nights in 11: 9 Rained out, sick kids, flat broke, you name it! Bad year for campin
Me DW and the 3 in 3 
DD 6/14/06, DS  11/27/07, DD 11/11/08
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