Date:         Fri, 18 Feb 2005 09:47:37 -0700
Reply-To:     jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject:      Re: Motorcycle Hitch for 1985
In-Reply-To:  <BE3B6F0E.18D4B%Steve@EuroCampers.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

On 2/18/05 9:08 AM, "Steve@EuroCampers.com" <Steve@EUROCAMPERS.COM> wrote:

> on 2/17/05 9:46 PM, Dennis Haynes at dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET wrote:
> 
>> Hanging 200 pounds behind a Vanagon needs to be done with care. As the
>> load moves further back, the actual load on the rear axle increases and
>> the load on the front axle are lifted. I build a hitch that will hold
>> the load. Please see the attachment for some information and pictures.
>> The price is $250 delivered.
>> 
>> Dennis
> 
> A 2 inch receiver hitch usually has at least a class III rating which means
> it can handle up to 6000 pounds towing weight and 600 pounds tounge weight.
> 
> Of course not all vehicles can handle these weights, but the hitch
> manufacture warns not to exceed the vehicle manufacturer's towing limits.
> 
> I don't have a Vanagon owner's manual on me, but I would guess it does not
> allow for 200+ pounds of tongue weight.
> 
> We only offer the class I drawbar type of hitch for Vanagon, which is rated
> to 150 pounds tounge and 1500 pounds towing.
> 
> I doubt the Vanagon can handle the tongue weight of a 185 pound moped and
> the rack that holds it.
> 
> 
> -- Steve Lashley
> SKL Enterprises Inc.
> http://EuroCampers.com
> PO Box 339
> 1661 Veterans Dr Ste C
> DeSoto MO 63020
> 636-337-7700 voice
> 636-586-7077 fax
> 888-797-5994 - phone orders
> 
> 

When I had the old class 1 hitch on my van that tied to just the loops I was
very leary of putting anything over the rated tongue weight of the vanagon.
I have seen 75lbs  listed normally as tongue weight for the vanagons.  I
think there may be a year split with the later suspensions.  With my heavy
fastforward.ca bumper I decided to do some loading on my cargo tray to see
what happened to the suspension as I added weight.  Tested by having a
friend watch as I took it over a bump with increases in loading.  About 150
pounds is the max I will load onto my cargo tray after those tests.  I have
seen small scooters strapped onto those trays on vanagons. Not sure what
small scooters weigh.  But I wouldnąt do it with the loop type tow bar.
jimt