Date: Sun, 22 May 2005 03:57:23 -0700
Reply-To: Jere Hawn <jghawn@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jere Hawn <jghawn@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Moving with a Vanagon, cross-country
In-Reply-To: <42d2267e05052116285911cda9@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Not a problem with your new engine. I towed a double axle U-Haul a couple
of times: 1) Virginia Beach to Monterey Calif via Seattle WA and 2) Newport
RI to Mayport FL via Chicago, Upper MI, Philly, Va Bch, Charleston SC and
Finally Mayport FL. I also tow my ski boat every season. Not too much last
year. I have a 1 7/8 ball, coming out of Charleston WV I was able to hit 95
MPH with the clutch in and the trailer on the back (full). I figure if it
is a 7 pass van and I put 7 guys in it at 200 lbs ea that means 1400 lbs
with out their gear. When renting trucks I always go with Ryder, they deal
more and my last trip it was only $1700 for the biggest truck Monterey CA to
RI and an extra $250 for the full auto trailer (all 4 wheels up on the
trailer.) On that trip I rented a full trailer and put the van on it with
the dogs in side and the bikes on the back of the van.
Jere
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Detroit Bus
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 4:28 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Moving with a Vanagon, cross-country
Good Saturday afternoon to you all...
I'm planning a cross-country move from NYC to LA. We are hoping to
forego renting a moving truck and use the Vanagon instead for the
contents of our one-bedroom apartment. I figure it will take about two
Vanagon-loads (that's 2 VL's, official metric unit).
However, if I get a small trailer, or rent a U-Haul trailer, I might
be able to make it in one trip, which would save a lot of
cross-country mileage (5000 miles, in fact). But I know that Vanagons
aren't exactly happy doing their own towing and I don't want to damage
my vehicle.
So-
Question 1:
What's harder on the Vanagon ('87 GL, 160k miles, orig 5-speed, new
wasserboxer engine): an extra trip cross-country, or one trip pulling
a small trailer with about 800 lbs in it? I have time to make two
trips because my new job doesn't start until late June.
Question 2:
My Vanagon does not currently have a trailer hitch. Any models I
should look for, sizes, capacities? Anything to watch out for? What
kind of place installs these?
Question 3:
Where could I get a good roof rack, for bicycles and light flat stuff?
Is Thule the best option? Any suggestions for model numbers or sizes?
Anyone sell large flat racks for Vanagons like you used to see on
splits? Even homemade would be fine...
Any other comments or suggestions on this kind of thing would be
helpful, especially from anyone with experience good or bad moving
with a Vanagon. A Penske truck would cost me $2000 including gasoline
for one trip cross-country (and then i'd still have to drive the
Vanagon out.)
Garrick
--
Garrick, Queens, NY
'87 GL Weekender
*****
