Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 20:37:20 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: Ideas on shipping/towing from Nova Scotia
In-Reply-To: <200308201309.ANK02844@ms1.verisignmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
A tow bar not only has to pull and stop the vehicle being towed, it also
has to control the side to side motions and steer it. Thus the A-Frame
is extremely critical in the design. Do not try the center receiver for
any distance. It must be long enough to allow turns especially with long
overhang vehicles yet short enough to control side to side oscillations.
I recommended the Roadmaster products as they have the correct
attachment plates and my experience with there products has been nothing
but positive. The fact that the tow bar attaches without a ball mount
gives me confidence since I have experienced ball separations. You
should be able to get a set up for less than $700 and if you plan on
having Vanagons for any length of time, think of the flexibility this
provides if you get stuck. The one tow from Nova Scotia will pay for the
bar. Get the base plates and see if a local RVer will lend you the bar.
Do keep in mind that many states require brakes on towed vehicles and
you will need a proper set of safety chains or cables.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: 80 Westy Pokey [mailto:pokey@vanagon.org]
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 9:10 AM
To: Dennis Haynes
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Ideas on shipping/towing from Nova Scotia
And what do you do about the steering?
On a slightly different topic, I have VolksCafe big bumpers
with a front receiver hitch. Any reason I couldn't just
insert a 2" bar in there that the other end was made up like
a trailer hitch rather than drop $700 on a roadmaster bar and
base plates?
Thanks,
Chris
---- Original message ----
>Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2003 19:06:29 -0400
>From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
>Subject: Re: Ideas on shipping/towing from Nova Scotia
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>I tow all 4 wheels down. Towing is no different than rolling
along.
>
>Dennis
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: 80 Westy Pokey [mailto:pokey@vanagon.org]
>Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 8:57 AM
>To: Dennis Haynes
>Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Ideas on shipping/towing from Nova Scotia
>
>Dennis just to clarify... do you remove the driveshaft when
>towing? Or do you have a decoupler?
>
>Thanks,
>Chris
>
>---- Original message ----
>>Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2003 23:35:58 -0400
>>From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
>>Subject: Re: Ideas on shipping/towing from Nova Scotia
>>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>
>>Roadmaster Inc makes an excellent tow bar and brackets for
>the Vanagon.
>>Go to http://www.roadmasterinc.com/pdfinst/1208-1.pdf for
>the bracket
>>detail. Install the brackets and then find someone with the
>appropriate
>>bar and a large vehicle to tow it home for you. Don't buy
>the brackets
>>direct from Roadmaster. They will be discounted at their
>dealers. I use
>>these brackets and the Falcon 5200 tow bar to pull my Syncro
>Westy
>>behind the motor home.
>>
>>Dennis
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Vanagon Mailing List
>[mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
>>Of No Name Available
>>Sent: Monday, August 18, 2003 10:23 PM
>>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>Subject: Ideas on shipping/towing from Nova Scotia
>>
>>Anyo0ne have any good solutions to get a Van from Nova
>scotia (south
>>shore)
>>to the states. we are in VT and need to get MOM home.
>>
>>thanks in advance\
>>\
>>Chris\
>>VT
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