Date:         Wed, 29 Aug 2001 17:07:51 -0400
Reply-To:     "Fitz-Randolph, Douglas" <Doug@BEACONMARKETING.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Fitz-Randolph, Douglas" <Doug@BEACONMARKETING.NET>
Subject:      Re: Trailer Hitch Picture
Content-Type: text/plain

FYI That SA trailer hitch has worked very well for me. BUT...

1) Very tough to install - I had to make many modifications to the
steel plates in order to get the bumper to end up in the right place
on my '90 syncro. Also had to relocate the bumper mounting holes
and modify the metal band under the rubber bump strip. Also, the
captive nuts are nearly impossible to line up with a-l-l of the 6
existing holes in the frame rail. The whole thing took me nearly
two days believe it or not. Once I was done, though, it looked great.

2) You are limited to a 2" hitch ball only. Or at least I am - I tried
unsuccessfully to find a 1 7/8" ball to fit and eventually changed the
tongue on my trailer to 2". Some solutions to that problem are to
buy a combination pintle/ball hitch for $75 - $110 depending on where
you go, or to get your hands on a tow jaw / pin assembly and replace
the pin with a ball, or to have something custom fabricated.

3) Even with the ball mounted in the lowest position, it is a little
high for my admittedly small trailer. Since you can't get one of those
drop adapters available for receiver hitches, the only solution would
be, again, to have something custom fabricated.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions - I'm not knocking
it, but I think this is important info to have!

> Doug Fitz-Randolph
> Freeport, ME
> '90 Syncro