Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 21:32:50 -0700
Reply-To: Jim & Melody <JiMelody@ZIANET.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim & Melody <JiMelody@ZIANET.COM>
Subject: Re: 2" receiver hitch
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Mike;
Dennis Haynes from Long Island has the best thing going. He can be reached
at:
<Actually, My E- mail is DHAYNES57@msn.com!>
While I don't yet have one, this excellent review by Steven Shane says it
all (See archive for 24 Feb 00 for full review):
<Then I get an Email from Dennis Haynes. For $225 delivered he has a kick
ass
hitch that replaces the tow down loops and mounts securely to the Vanagon
frame using SIX 22mm bolts, (AKA NO DRILLING) has a two inch receiver hitch
and is built so solid it looks like it could withstand more abuse than the
rear bumper.
After chatting with Dennis, I ordered one up and in about two weeks it
arrived. Dennis did a fantastic job packing it, (I mean it was borderline
fanatical!) and even though it was delivered through the mail, it had not a
single scratch. (GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION) This sucker was a brick! It was
heavy, solid and very well made, and even came with a flat black finish that
makes the hitch almost invisible on the Van.
Installation was simple and other than a few slots that need to be cut in
the bumper (if you want to reinstall it after installing the hitch) nothing
required any fancy tools or fancy brains. You literally just unbolt the tow
hooks, slide the hitch in and bolt it into place. It took my sorry ass
about an hour to do. (and I'm slow) The bumper on the other hand may take a
little longer, but I want to make sure it is done right since removing two
small portions are in order.
I have yet to install my new hitch mount bike rack and give it a test drive,
but I will post those details under the name "Towing Hitch Solution2!!!"
when I have more info.
(UPDATE!!!!) Have had it for about a year now, and It works great!!! Mounted
the bumper as well, and it really has no problems, just measure twice and
cut once!
(end UPDATE)
So far I am quite impressed with this hitch, and it is far superior to
anything I have seen on the "standard" market, including the hitches sold by
Bus Depot and my favorite vendor GoWesty.
For those of you whom are Spec minded the towing capacities for this hitch
follow the same rules for any Vanagon limits, and a complete rundown can be
obtained from Dennis (see above email) or Uhaul (http://www.uhaul.com) if
needed.
No, Dennis does NOT have a web site. Don't ask me why, But he said he does
monitor the Vanagon list so if you are trying to get a hold of him, if you
make enough noise, chances are he will contact you.
So, in conclusion, if you want to save yourself the weeks and weeks of
research I did on finding the truly BEST solution for towing, involving the
least amount of bucks and labor. Go with one of Dennis' hitches. If they
tow as half as good as they seem made, I will never question the security of
my cargo. And that, to me is worth the extra $100 any day any time. Always
do it right the first time... then go enjoy it.
Thanks for your time.
Steven Shane (87 Westy) Columbus, Ohio
s.shane@pobox.com
.
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Harrnacker <vanagon@IFREEDOM.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2000 9:33 PM
Subject: 2" receiver hitch
> Anyone know where I can buy a 2" receiver hitch for my Vanagon? I want it
for using one of those hitch mounted box carriers...
>
>
> Mike Harrnacker
> 89 Vanagon GL Weekender
> www.transporter.org
> vanagon@ifreedom.com
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