Date:         Fri, 18 Feb 2005 13:01:21 -0500
Reply-To:     Phil Walker <phil.walker@BROOKS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Phil Walker <phil.walker@BROOKS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Motorcycle Hitch for 1985

I use Dennis's hitch with a bike rack (the type that swings out). This is
actually a great solution for me. I can open the rear hatch just by swinging
the bike out of the way. It never feels long to me. I would suspect that the
bikes sits another 6" or so back more than the hatch mounted rack, but I
don't know for sure.

Back on the hitch size for a second...I bought Dennis' class 3 receiver
hitch becuase I wanted to use a bike rack, and I wanted the biggest "square"
to support the rack and keep it from flopping around. Of course class 3's
are officially rated to whatever (I don't know the exact rating) but I
didn't get it for the maximum towing capacity. I would hope that no one
would think that just becuase the van had a class 3 that they could hold
more tounge (and added towing capacity) weight than a class 1 or whatever.
If someone is thinking that then there are likely other oversights in the
van that we should be worried about. I know these things can tow a house (or
another van), but stopping is always the problem!

For the record I also use the hitch to tow a small trailer with a 300#
motorcycle (+gear, etc.). I swear you can't even tell the trailer is back
there. It tows awesome (for a 92hp engine) :)

Bascially the 2" reciever just gives me peace of mind and excellent
versitility. I'd like to get one of those little platforms next...I'm not
sure you can even get one for a class 1. If nothing else the 2" sqaure will
keep the thing from flopping aorund much around corners.

YMMV

-Phil


On Fri, 18 Feb 2005 11:40:48 -0600, Steve@EuroCampers.com
<Steve@EUROCAMPERS.COM> wrote:

>on 2/18/05 10:13 AM, David J. Bohannan at david.bohannan@VERIZON.NET wrote:
>
>> Do you guys have any idea about where to get some permanent bicycle
>> mounts for the rear of the vanagon? I am looking for as much storage as
>> possible..up to like 4 bikes or more...if possible...I don't necessarily
>> need a hitch, but they can sometimes be useful...
>>
>> I also would like to have one mounted on the roof...but am aware of the
>> high center of gravity...
>>
>> Dave
>
>We have Fiamma hatch racks, but they will only hold up to 3 bikes.  Fiamma
>limits it to 3 as 4 would be too much weight to put on the hatch.  The
>EuroVan hatch can hold 4 bikes.  Gary Lee also makes nice Vanagon racks, but
>I'm not sure if they would hold 4 bikes.
>
>You could also go with Dennis' receiver hitch and use a hitch mount rack.  I
>don't like these myself as they make your van quite a bit longer and the
>bikes stick way out when you park.
>
>If you have a Westy, you can use the Fiamma rack and put a kids bike in the
>back or in the luggage rack.  I have a 2 bike Fiamma rack on my '74 Westy.
>I can put 2 adult bikes on the back and 2 kids bike in the luggage rack.
>
>I had a front mounted rack at one time on the '74, but the bikes would get
>covered with bugs as they also can in the luggage rack.
>
>
>-- 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