Date:         Fri, 5 Dec 2003 17:18:48 -0700
Reply-To:     jbrush@AROS.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Anonymous Digest <jbrush@AROS.NET>
Subject:      Re: vanagon Digest - 5 Dec 2003 - Special issue (#2003-1144)
In-Reply-To:  <200312051903.hB5J325Q055814@phobos.aros.net>

In <200312051903.hB5J325Q055814@phobos.aros.net>, on 12/05/03 at 01:50 PM,
   Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> said:

>Date:    Fri, 5 Dec 2003 12:16:47 -0500
>From:    Mark Carrig <stratmanx@YAHOO.COM>
>Subject: VW towing bar and tie down eyelets

>I've got one of the original VW towing hitches that attaches to the ties
>down eyelets with the BIG bolts.

>Had anyone used these to tow a small trailer ?

>I'm looking to tow a dirt bike, approx 215 lbs, using 6 x 10 approx.
>trailer.

>Your thoughts ?

I use that kind of hitch to drag my popup camper around. Its 760lbs dry,
and I don't carry much more inside it. I don't think you will be taxing
the eyelets enough to be worried, unless you do a lot of off-road towing
and stress them up and down.

Many folks have as many opinions :) and I solicted them all here some time
ago. In the end, there are better ways, but I feel okay about using that
type of hitch as I keep a close eye on them, looking for fractures or
signs of fatigue, and keeping the tongue weight at a minimum. It would
take a total failure to really cause a problem, as those bolts will keep
it attached even if one of them fractures.

Anything can go wrong at any time. Go ahead and have fun with your toys
:-)

John