Budd Premack
86 Syncro, 84 Vanagon, 73 Super
Minneapolis, MN
bpremack@wavetech.net

----------
> From: Budd Premack <bpremack@wavetech.net>
> To: Vanagon@gerry.sdsc.edu
> Subject: Towing a Syncro-Consensus
> Date: Friday, October 24, 1997 3:16 AM
>
> Thank you to ALL 11 of you who responded to my info request.  The huge
> majority (7) agree that towing of a Syncro is okay IF all four wheels
turn
> freely on the ground.  This means no use of slings, hooks, or anything
else
> that lifts only one end.  It should be noted that all Syncros (to my
> knowledge) have manual transmissions.  If there exists an automatic
Syncro,
> it seems to me that it should be placed on a flatbed or trailer, and
> gingerly moved to various VW shows as a wonderful curiosity.
>
> The old fashioned towing style, using either a strap or a chain, works
fine
> for those of us who prefer free-of-cost techniques.  (Querry: If you own
a
> Syncro, why in heck are you concerned with low cost repair methods.  No
> matter how hard one tries, it seems repair costs are exponential to those
> of other vehicles.)
>
> In my experience, towing seems to work best when the front of the tow
line
> is attached to the rear end of a Vanagon which is older than that of the
> "towee".
>
> Caution is also urged by all list respondents to be prudent about speed
> (under 30 mph) and distance.  (Don't tow any further than you could bike
> when you were 13 seems to be a reasonable consensus.)
>
> A vocal minority (2) claim that it simply is not worth the risk to tow at
> all, and use of a flatbed is the only alternative.
>
> (2) cautious souls think 4 wheel towing is probably ok, but urge the use
of
> a flatbed, "just to be sure".
>
> Everyone agrees that having only two wheels rolling (any two wheels, you
> pick 'em) is the fastest way to a mortgage sized repair bill.
>
> What did I do after considering all of this advice?  I simply followed
the
> path of least resistance and temporarily fixed the offending malady.
Then
> I drove home carefully with an escort (Vanagon, natch) following me.  Now
I
> can permanently repair my Syncro and not have to make the towing choice
> after all.  (My personal vote goes with the majority, with all due care
for
> speed and distance.)
>
> I hope this discussion is useful for any other Syncro owners who may face
> this issue.  It certainly was helpful for me.
>
> BTW, since almost all of the 11 well-considered responses came to me
> privately, I will share them with any listee who requests copies.
>
> Thanks for all of your help.
>
> Budd Premack
> 86 Syncro, 84 Vanagon, 73 Super
> Minneapolis, MN
> bpremack@wavetech.net