Date:         Tue, 18 Jun 2002 22:28:16 -0500
Reply-To:     Chris Smith <chris.smith@AQUILA.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Smith <chris.smith@AQUILA.NET>
Subject:      Re: Anyone tow a car with their van?
In-Reply-To:  <01777D788919D5118EDD00508BCFEA7B01F90F24@nyschx16psge.sch.
              ge.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

About 3 years ago I towed a '61 single cab from Chicago to St. Louis and
back behind my '82 Westy.  Here is what I learned:

On flat ground in cool weather the van did just fine.  Remember that
braking distance is increased and panic stops are right out.

When you pull off the road, be sure to remember that you can't back-up
while flat towing a car.

Hills are the worst.  the van WILL slow down on hills the before posed no
problems.

When coming home we hit a major thunderstorm on the interstate.  It hit
just as we were crossing the Illinois river near LaSalle.  When the winds
hit our rig it almost blew us off the road.  I was forced to pull over for
3 hours to let the storm pass.  After that scare, I never towed another car
in the van.

The lesson here is that yes, the van can pull a full car in good
conditions, but when things turn bad, the only recourse is to not drive
until conditions are perfect.  A full car is beyond what can be safely
towed.  If you do it, wait for everything to be perfect.  I nearly lost my
life and that of my family riding in the van.  It was a lesson I'm glad to
be able to look back on.

Chris Smith



>Date:    Mon, 17 Jun 2002 20:48:36 -0400
>From:    Christopher Berchin <ctb1@PEOPLEPC.COM>
>Subject: Anyone tow a car with their van?
>
>Hi all.
>As a person who is always noodling around ideas, I'm currently curious if
>anyone tows a whole car with their Vanagon?  Aside from the lack of power,
>how well does a Vanagon tow something like a Miata (i.e. reasonably light)?
>What kind of hitch are you using?  Can it handle towing the car and also
>being full of cargo?  Thanks!
>
>Chris