What does "tongue weight" refer to in these figures?
Joy **************************************************************** Joy Hecht and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon For musings about life and the vanadventures: http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy **************************************************************** :::-----Original Message----- :::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf :::Of Don in North Carolina :::Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 4:58 PM :::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM :::Subject: Re: '88 Westy: Towing Capacity? ::: :::On 6/2/05, Chris Paquette <cxp36@yahoo.com> wrote: :::> When I bought my '88 Westy, the PO had put a trailer hitch on it. This :::> always struck me as highly optimistic, as the little 4 cylinder, 100 :::> horsepower engine seems to have its hands full just propelling itself :::> around, much less pulling a load. :::> :::> However, a need has arisen and if possible, I'd like to attach a small :::> U-haul type trailer to it and move 25-30 boxes or various sizes (books, :::> dishes, clothes, etc.) from California to Washington state. Anyone done :::any :::> towing with their Westy? Is it asking too much of the engine, or is :::this :::> actually feasible? :::> :::> :::> Cheers, :::> Chris Paquette ::: :::FYI, ::: :::From the owners manual - 1986 and up (not sure if the early Vanagons are :::different, I assume the aircooled would be): ::: :::Maximum braked trailer weight - 900kg (2,000 lb) :::Maximum unbraked trailer weight - 600kg (1,320 lb) :::Maximum tongue weight - 75kg (165 lb) ::: :::Note that there is no difference shown between the Syncro and the :::passenger :::van. Not sure if the camper supplement shows a lower number or not. ::: :::Also, you have to take into account the type of hitch you have (I :::wouldn't trust the tow-loop mounted ones for over 1000 Lbs.) and the :::condition of your brakes / engine / transmission, keeping in mind that :::these recommendations are for a NEW vehicle... ::: :::-- :::Don in Reidsville, NC :::1986 Kawasaki Concours :::1988 Vanagon GL (Sylvia) :::"Why do they call it a fixed income, if mine is always broke?" |
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