Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 15:40:56 -0600
Reply-To: Simon Reinhardt <simon@FARRSIDE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Simon Reinhardt <simon@FARRSIDE.NET>
Subject: Re: Towing a Boat?
In-Reply-To: <42D2F094D3E83D428F8D18D899AAD843468527@COL1SMX11.USE.AD.DLA.MIL>
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HOW DARE YOU EVEN CONSIDER TOWING ANYTHING WITH YOUR ANEMIC VANAGON!
YOU, AND ONLY YOU, ARE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THE SUFFERING IN
THE WORLD!!!
OK, I got the Party Line out of the way. I have twice towed a Rabbit,
using a tow bar that left them on their own 4 wheels, from one end of
the Denver area to the other with my syncro Westy.
You've got braking covered. Your tow bar sounds more substantial than
mine, so you've got that covered. I'm thinking a Rabbit is heavier than
your boat setup, so you'll probably have better acceleration than I
did, and mine was perfectly acceptable up to 35 mph.
You need to find out what your tongue weight will be, and then you'll
probably have your answer.
Of course, I'm really only answering a weight/drag question. Someone
else has to be towing an actual boat...
-Simon
On Jul 14, 2004, at 2:36 PM, Warner, Jeff (DSIO) wrote:
> Volks,
>
> Apparently I don't already have enough projects to work on. It looks
> like I'm actually considering buying a boat. I suppose its primary
> function will be to sit in the driveway and slowly disintegrate in
> front of my eyes while taking up valuable real estate. The occasional
> trip to the lake will probably be a good idea too.
>
> My question to the list is a basic one. Who's towing a boat with
> their Westy and what size boat have you successfully towed? The word
> "successfully" to me would generally mean not taking undue risks with
> either our lives or the well being of the Westy.
>
> I'm currently looking at a 19' bow rider with a single axle trailer.
> I've no idea yet what its axle weight or tongue weight is. My '86
> Wolfsburg Westy is a fairly capable stock 2.1 automatic with a
> wonderful big brake kit recently installed. The hitch, which is not
> yet installed, is a substantial unit that bolts permanently to the
> bumper brackets. I don't have to use the Westy to tow the boat but it
> sure would be a nice way to go. The trip to the lake we would most
> often be going to is pretty much a flat adventure and about 30 miles.
>
> Thanks in advance for any input.
>
> Jeff Warner
> Galloway, OH
> '86 Wolfy Westy
>
> PS. Please no lectures or side discussions on the cons of towing
> anything with a Westy. I'm well aware of the general anemic nature of
> our toy boxes. I just want to know what's possible and/or what anyone
> is successfully doing on a regular basis.
>
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