Anyone use their trucks to do work with?

[Darth Garry]

Just wondering if anyone uses their caddy for hauling or towing or anything like that? It seems like so many are turning their trucks into show cars that they lose touch with the car's roots. So, here's a link to my site with a few pix of my truck doing stuff. Does anyone have any similar pictures or stories they'd like to share?

Garry

http://www.notinteresting.com/vw/sportruck/action/sportruckinaction.htm

[P4ulo]

Well done Sir!!:D

Before I started doin' the caddy up, I got a double bed and a three piece suite/sofa in it! The loading wasn't pretty mind, but loadsa string kept it all in!!!;)
I also got a huge outside bird aviary in it once, what a trooper![:p]
I'm sorry to say though that I'll now only be haulin' my sorry ass around in the caddy, far too much money on spray jobs to put nasty dirty things in it! Oh how beastly![:0][:I]

Cheers dude, keep on haulin' and a truckin'!![^]
Paulo.

[Al]

Garry

I bought my Caddy to haul my Enduro Bike around the UK [^] and will continue to do so:)

Al

[VWCaddy]

Mine hauls all sorts of things, here's a 1200 lb. milling machine:

http://4crawler.cruiserpages.com/Diesel/Images/vw82_rear.jpg

I routinely haul 500 lbs. of steel from the steel yard home.

[Weaver]

i've moved about 6 times with that being the primary hauler, lotsa wieght, lotsa bottoming out, but it's a beater so i really don't care. gets it to my destination [8D]

[VWCaddy]

quote:Originally posted by Weaver

i've moved about 6 times with that being the primary hauler, lotsa wieght, lotsa bottoming out, but it's a beater so i really don't care. gets it to my destination [8D]


Some add-a-leaves on the rear springs will cure the bottoming. On mine w/ 1200 lbs. in the bed, I had a smooth, controllable ride, no hint of bottoming.

http://4crawler.cruiserpages.com/Diesel/CheapTricks/RearSuspension.shtml#Springs

[Weaver]

thought about it but i don't wanna raise the rear really, atleast not more then stock.

[VWCaddy]

You can also re-arch the bottom overload leaf to make it kick in earlier, would give little lift. Another option is to install some Gabriel Air shocks, then pump them up for loads and drop them down for normal.

[Weaver]

do the air shocks handle at all? the car is primarily my weekend car, spirited driving, etc. but it will haul heavy stuff from time to time, so a happy medium is pretty important, leaning more towards performance though.

[VWCaddy]

Don't know, I've never tried them. You do have to do a few mods to get them installed from what I've heard.

I find mine handles very well with the custom rear spring pack, sway bar and KYB shocks.

[Darth Garry]

I want to put some helper springs in or something. I don't have any problems with lifting the rear end....

I'm moving soon, so there will be a lot more photos of the sport truck in action.

Garry

[squeegy]

I purchased leaf helper springs and installed them on my stock suspension. I use Boge Progas up front and Sachs shocks in the rear. The leaf helpers did not raise the height of my truck.

The helpers were adjustable and I installed them so that there was no preload when there was no weight in the rear. When a load is applied to the back, then the rear leafs compress engaging the leaf helpers.

[camp6ell]

This is my old TD with 800lbs of junk in it...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4df02b3127cce8776ee91b1e30000001610

So, on this topic, I was looking through my 1981 owners manual, and nowhere does it say what the twoing capacity is? I'm just buying a little trailer (4'x8'), so hope to load up the Caddy (1.6D) and trailer and move cross country... will that be too much for it?

[LuckDrgnAeon]

I'm hoping to use my PickUp for installing cable or something once I get the engine in it. I'll need a rack like Camp's PickUp up there.

[DieselsRcool]

Does camping count? Here's a pic of mine on the beach in SanQuintin, Baja, Mex.
.

http://www.startercontacts.com/images/Image_tank/Rabbit_San_quintin.jpg

[althebugman]

Both my caddys are work trucks They run everyday servicing my customers (2 deisels LXS'), one black '81 and one gold '82. I also have a trailer made oput of a caddy bed (it was ajunkyard dog that was in an accident and totaled.)I work 'em 6 months on 6 months off. when one's resting, I tweak it! Thats' a nice ride Larry, I'll send pics of mine as soon as I develop the technology.

[camp6ell]

Do you have your trucks wired for towing the trailer, and if so, how did you do it?
Thanks.

quote:Originally posted by althebugman

Both my caddys are work trucks They run everyday servicing my customers (2 deisels LXS'), one black '81 and one gold '82. I also have a trailer made oput of a caddy bed (it was ajunkyard dog that was in an accident and totaled.)I work 'em 6 months on 6 months off. when one's resting, I tweak it! Thats' a nice ride Larry, I'll send pics of mine as soon as I develop the technology.

[stomp13]

I use my Caddy as a truck. I've moved fire wood, moving to a new pad, and picked up a new dish washer. I have the Highjackers. And yes they not the greatest when it comes to handling. But awesome for heavy loads.

[althebugman]

camp6ell Iwired the trailer off of the original tailight assemblys and license plate lights, thy are the same as on the truck (it is half a truck ) and I ran the wires through the tounge of the trailer. Then I went to UHAUL and bought one of their easy hook up assemblys and bingo I was in business I haven't got the back up lights to work yet Its in primer now . I'll send pics later.

[camp6ell]

Thanks, I'd appreciate pics. So, basically, you just spliced one wire from the taillight, one from the brake light, one from the TS, one from the back-up light (and a gound somewhere?) and ran them to the UHaul hook up thingy?

quote:Originally posted by althebugman

camp6ell Iwired the trailer off of the original tailight assemblys and license plate lights, thy are the same as on the truck (it is half a truck ) and I ran the wires through the tounge of the trailer. Then I went to UHAUL and bought one of their easy hook up assemblys and bingo I was in business I haven't got the back up lights to work yet Its in primer now . I'll send pics later.

[DieselsRcool]

The turn signals and brake lights are on different circuits so you will need a converter box.
http://www.iboats.com/products/7/22407_marine_works_trailer_light_converter.html

http://www.iboats.com/mall/image/vendor/7/big/22407_0.jpg

[gd51474]

What a great discussion - This is what I am getting out of it. Get the leaf spring helpers to fix the saggy drawers of the Caddy when it is loaded. I too am workin the truck and need a solution to the load problem. When the helpers go it, should I replace any other portion? Pics soon.

[camp6ell]

Good point about the light situation... I never thought about that. So, is this all I need then? Just splice away and I'm all set?!

quote:Originally posted by DieselsRcool

The turn signals and brake lights are on different circuits so you will need a converter box.
http://www.iboats.com/products/7/22407_marine_works_trailer_light_converter.html

[keny]

The reason I got my caddy was, I warm my house whit wood so I needed a triler or a pickup, an ofcorse I chose a CADDY. And a diesel one:D

[VW Junkie]

I have one for both. One is more show which I use to go to and from work and the other is my home depot queen for picking up plywood and fence panels etc.Both are 81 one diesel and one 16v. Would like to find a bumper or hitch so I can tow a little trailer.
:D

[Woobn8r]

The wife thinks I got my Caddy to do the Home Depot run and haul dirt for the garderns...
But, I got it to hot rod and beat on (since I sold my race cars).

So, she's a local truck built for fun and light duty...It is also a good fit to my eclectic collection...'72 911S, '88 BMW 325ix touring, '81 Caddy 1.6 gas (soon to be VR6). All pretty rare rides in my part of the woods...

[caddysa]

I use mine for everyday work and for some "fun" over weekends. Running a 1800 fuel injected motor. I use it when we go fishing and for hauling around some small stuff like a piano.

http://www.vwcaddyforum.com/Pictures/caddysa01.JPG
http://www.vwcaddyforum.com/Pictures/caddysa02.JPG

[fulham]

I use mine almost exclusively for work, though with gas prices so high now, I've started driving it more around town too. Gets double the mileage of my LR Defender 90 with a V8... Of course now that we're getting 70° days the top's about to come off the D90. That's something the VW can't do...

I have a landscaping business and it's the perfect truck. Other landscapers have F150s or whatever, and have to carry around boards to roll the lawnmower up into it. I just tilt the lawnmower straight up and onto the tailgate. Sometimes can get a bit crowded in the bed with all my tools, but everything fits. Sort of funny to see a VW pickup loaded with a small tree :D I'll have to take a picture and post it sometime. Only downside is I sometimes have to make 2 trips to the transfer station instead of 1, but they charge by weight, so so what?

There's a number of companies still using them in the Puget Sound area for "real work".

[bohall]

I originally bought my caddy because i got into Moto-x, so it was used to carry my bike and all my gear etc. i tell u, it looked sweet with a black CR125 in the back of it, used to turn some heads!

The bike fit perfect diagonally from corner to corner. Sold my bike to fund my engine conversion and a holiday.

My old caddy is for sale again though, if i only had the spare cash to buy it! ;)

[c1a9d8d0y]

I use mine to sit it outside the shop and talk about all the stuff I'm going to do with it.

[camp6ell]

Thanks to VWCaddy and DieselsRCool for your towing/wiring info - I bought the JCWhipme tow hitch (had to cut the edges off like you did, as they were bumping into the license plate lights - took forever!) and the iBoats wiring loom (nice and EASY) and everything worked first time!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4db37b3127ccebec5a62a13ac0000001610
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4db37b3127ccebec5a61213940000001610

[DragonDiesel]

Camp6ell...
[?]
...where did you get that awesome cargo cage? I especially like the over roof rack. That is what I am trying to get some one to build here in New Mexico for me. No luck so far though.

[camp6ell]

That was on my old truck when I got it... It was made by a company in Santa Rosa, CA (according to the sticker on it). It's a pretty popular design around here, so maybe the bed is the same size as something else (like a Ford Courier or early jap import truck?). Alternatively, if you're handy with a welder, I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult to take one from a Toyota or whatever and cut it doen to size. But yes, it was a really nice rack...

quote:Originally posted by DragonDiesel

Camp6ell...
[?]
...where did you get that awesome cargo cage? I especially like the over roof rack. That is what I am trying to get some one to build here in New Mexico for me. No luck so far though.

[DragonDiesel]

do you remember the name of the company?

[mossrite]

hey campbell saw you driving the other day, no thumbs up! where's the love?[B)]

[camp6ell]

Where were you?! I'm always there with grins and thumbs up! (Well, except now I'm halfway across the country on my way to NY... Oh, and Caddy count from SF to Chicago = 0!)

quote:Originally posted by mossrite

hey campbell saw you driving the other day, no thumbs up! where's the love?[B)]

[Darth Garry]

Hey man if you're coming to NY you should stop by my place dude! Drop me a line if you're in the Albany Region - 518.432.6272!

Garry

[mortskeg]

Thread revival! Unfortunately, I don't have any college moving pics with the canopy on and loaded from the bed to the very top but I did just move a cubic yard of bark. Got to keep those springs soft!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/glen_ekstrom/yardobark.jpg

[vwabbitman]

this will be hauled to the scrape heap tomorrow
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r159/vwabbitman/Picture010-4.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r159/vwabbitman/Picture011-3.jpg

[vwabbitman]

Also check here.
http://vwcaddyforum.com/showthread.php?t=12227

[Wagenryder]

I haul engines and cores from the big machining firm in Dallas to the local auto shop. At least pays for gas every other week, which is a big help when commuting 66 miles one way.

On weekend I spend a good deal of time sitting on my well bowed tailgate sorting out mowers and other yard tools.

[vinayak]

this was just posted over on the tex.

http://usera.imagecave.com/ditchdigger/carnage/ughh1.jpg




heres the thread for those interested. http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3258726

[CaddyRacing]

I use mine daily in my courier service. I haul anything from enjinparts to wine.

[Al]

this was just posted over on the tex.

http://usera.imagecave.com/ditchdigger/carnage/ughh1.jpg

heres the thread for those interested. http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3258726

Jeeeeeesus :0 what a waste :cry:

[Davefb]

Apparently, was towing the mk1 when he crossed the bridge, sheer whens broke the bumber off, the mk1 swung away, then back into the rear quater panel and then they did a merry jig.

Lucky he didn;t hurt himself

[Hellchops]

my truck gets worked! it mainly carries BMX bikes. some times a lot of them! a week or so ago i got back from a trip around SA (Mike Aitken, Chase Hawk, Chad Shackelford, Brad Simms and Walter Pieringer were out from the States for a trip). we clocked just under 6000 km's. drove from Joburg to Durban, to Port Alfred, to Port Elizabeth,to George then Cape Town and finally back to Joburg through the Karoo.

it never skipped a beat.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n130/hellchops/caddy5.jpg

there were sometimes people and bikes on the back...

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n130/hellchops/caddy4.jpg

as she looked for most of the drive

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n130/hellchops/caddy3.jpg

for some of the trip i rode in the back of my mates isuzu truck. my mate Savage drove my beloved caddy (he's a veedub fan too :) )

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n130/hellchops/caddy2.jpg

a little emo shot from Hout Bay, Cape Town (go to Cape Town :D )

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n130/hellchops/caddy1.jpg

see the snow on the left? well, for SA thats seriously unusual. we drove through some on route from CT back to Johannesburg. i've never seen snow till that day. i'm sure some of you cringe at the site of it. but for my bro, mate tyrone and myself this little bit of cold white stuff made a so happy!

oh yeah, im hoping that by the end of June i'll have her lowered and the wheels done black..... :D

[Davefb]

Mmm, the garden route! I worked KZN for a bit (plenty of snow there this time of year) and then Plett for a bit. Awesome, such a nice country

[Hellchops]

Mmm, the garden route! I worked KZN for a bit (plenty of snow there this time of year) and then Plett for a bit. Awesome, such a nice country

the garden route is amazing! thats the third time i've done it and its just awesome. South Africa is beautiful!

the Drakensberg Mtn range does get some snow in winter, but there is no major populated area there. mainly touristy and sight seeing stuff. so your average South African doesn't really see snow too often.

[Darth Garry]

Pickup - The Rabbit that hauls!

Garry