Wanted: New and Wondering!

[Bonnie in Badito]

I am new to looking at Fiberglass RVs. A neighbor will have for sale a 13' Love Bug. Looks in good shape. My car is a VW Sportwagen, so the weight is perfect. No interest in another tow vehicle. Is 5K a reasonable number? I know it is like asking what a 2bdrm house costs, just a good guess. Thanks. Or any other lightweights out there?



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[Lee Senn]

If $5,000.00 is what it takes it is not unreasonable but I would start at $3,800.00 you can always go up . In any case act fast as this will probably sell in a matter of days if not hours. Lee and Norma

[FlyGuy]

Welcome Bonnie! I'm NOT familiar with either the "Love Bug" or VW Sportwagen. What does the VW's manual have to say about towing a trailer? If VW says it can tow a trailer, I expect VW would say HOW MUCH weight it can SAFELY tow and, if there any restrictions you need to be aware of and comply with. If NOTHING is mentioned in the VW's Owners' Manual, I'd take that as VW's tacit admission that ANY towing is NOT recommended.

LOTS can go wrong here if you don't get everything right so, do your homework and, remember, pretty much ALL advice / opinions posted here are worth exactly what you paid for them Again, WELCOME and, Good Luck!

[thrifty bill]

Outs all about condition. $1500 could be overpriced and $6000 could be a deal. On these old FG trailers, the fiberglass itself lasts forever, but floors rot, appliances break and windows can leak.

In addition, a $1500 project can be a deal if you have the time/tools/aptitude/covered workspace. But if not, a $500 trailer can be a lousy deal.

[Bonnie in Badito]

A Sportwagen is about the size of a Subaru. 4cyl turbo. Per VW 1600lbs of max weight. The trailer is in Iowa, so may be in the next state now. I am kind of "first in line". I fell in love with a Puck he had, but he had sold it with a bus (VW) as a pair. The Love Bug is 1030lbs. I have driven horse trailers most of my life, recently a 30' RV with a loaded car hauler behind. I thank all for your help, will update, or be back with more questions!

[redbarron55]

I have towed all over with a 2009 and 2013 JSW TDI 2.0 and it has penty of power and if the proper trailer module is installed along with the Westfalia hitch you will be OK. I towed a 16' Scamp with both.
I can't speak for the gasoline engines, but the Diesel had plenty of torque and the only problem I had was wheelspin when starting in a curve, uphill, on wet pavement or gravel which is common for front wheel drive anything. I have the same issue with the Town and County van that replaced the bought back VW diesels.
Keep the tongue weight reasonable and some air bags help as well.
By the way VW is trailer averse and the never-never group will tell you it is, well, never mind...

[stevebaz]

Once you get out there slow down and take your time. first thing to do is follow your nose. if it smells like a pig its a pig. if it is covered in perfume its a pig. make sure everything works and is tested to work. everything you miss you pay for once you own it. check the tires and preferably the date codes. the few love bugs I have seen are pretty bare so not much to go over. don't buy any trailer you don't personally go through don't buy a trailer with out paper work. i bought a trailer that had dirty paper and took almost 2 years to get proper title. it was nerve wracking the whole time. nobody wants to help you once the money changes hand.