Flat towing a speedster

Does anyone have some actual experience in flat-towing a VW chassis for long distance ~ say 1000 miles? Flat-towing is when you use a tow bar and the towed vehicle has all four wheels on the road. For a speedster that would mean the shifter is in neutral and the axle shafts are rotating.

My concern is that in some manual transmissions, I have heard that if the engine is off, and the main shaft of the trans is not rotating, the loss of the resultant "splash lubrication" can cause internal transmission damage. Seems like it was dependent on the particular trans design. Any input would be helpful, I'm debating a 1000 mile tow in a few months.

Hmmm, sounds like Oregon will have another Speedy this summer, all right!

Maybe you can get one of those rigs that the RV's use and lift the front two wheels off the ground when towing. That still wouldn't answer your question about towing your speedy. I've seen bugs towed on all 4 wheels, don't know if the owners disconnected the shafts from the Tranny, might have done it that way.

VW Type 1 transaxel will tow 4 down fine.

I have towed my speedy from WV to FL (864 miles each way) twice now with a VW towbar. I have also towed numerous VWs 500+ miles at a time with a tow bar and had no trouble with the transaxles afterwards. Not to say that it couldn't do harm, but I have yet to see it done. Hope this helps.
Crap, lost my smiley face. Time just flies when you are having fun. Except I keep missing the fun part.
Jim

Also beware of damage to the front bumper when using a tow bar. Is it at all possible to use a tow bar without removing the front bumper first?

I WOULD BE AFRAID OF ROCKS DAMAGING THE FRONT OF THE CAR.

To answer your question:

Yes, you can flat tow a VW for as many miles as you wish at virtually any speed. Your transaxle will self lubricate as the differential turns. If you have a locking steering column, leave a key in the iginition.

Does anyone have experience with clearance issues using standard bug tow bars?

I know that Jjr towed his car once with the tow bar and it worked perfect but the car didn't have the front bumper on. He told me he believes he can't tow it with it on.

Thanks to all. As usual, good info from the all-knowing speedster group. To answer a few issues:

No trouble with the speedster front bumper, I don't have one!

I have specifically purchased a dropped receiver ball hitch to get the VW tow bar way down low, to clear the front fiberglass and rubber front air dam.

I bought a standard VW tow bar - whatever that is - and I had to lengthen it about two inches so it would clear the front valance - easy fix.

Tow vehicle is 3/4 ton truck, so I been pondering one of those RV fuzzy hanging things for the rear bumper to deflect rock chips. Saw an ad for some spray-on, wash-off, auto bra material meant just for trips like this. Maybe?

Bruce - if all this comes to pass, I'll stop by and show you my wheels in early May. The south coast roads in Oregon were made for speedsters, and they been calling me ever since I got this car. I've never driven the car with the top up. I guess prudence would dictate that I at least re-fit the top before leaving - and hopefully won't forget to throw in the side curtains - if I can even find them!

Any recommendatioins as to tying down the steering wheel with a loose bungee cord - or should I just let the vehicle trail itself?

Back in 1966 I flat towed a '62 Corvette from Detroit to San Diego behind a 1965 Chevy Impala (4 speed, bench seat!). I pulled the Vette driveshaft and pumped the tires up to their maximum air pressure. Towed beautiful, but twice I got stuck making a U-turn when the Vette wheels crimped completely over. Had to stop, one person run back, roll down the window, and steer the Vette through the turn while the other person slowly drove the tow car. That, and I learned to NEVER stop to take pictures when you are TOWING UPHILL above 8000 feet with a manual transmission and a Carter carb! Talk about lack of low end torque . . . .