Date:         Thu, 2 Jun 2005 14:01:18 -0600
Reply-To:     jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject:      Re: '88 Westy: Towing Capacity?
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2005060215062645@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

On 6/2/05 1:06 PM, "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
> 
> 
The max is listed as 75/100 tongue weight and 1000/1200 tow depending on
model with the lighter being for earlier vanagons.

Class I
 2,000 lbs. (GTW)
 200 lbs. (TW)

Class II
 3,500 lbs. (GTW)
 300 lbs. (TW)

The limitations used by mfr to set up what class tow a vehicle is are
1. brakes
2. engine/clutch
3. suspension
4. mounting points
5. center of balance

Here in the mountains I often see the results of violations of 1, 2, and 5.
Overloaded for the brakes and into the ditch or median or down some awful
long drops
Heavier than rated tow and you come up on a stalled car and smell the
destroyed clutch from a mile back or the huge puddle of a totally overworked
cooling system trying to keep up.
Going down a slope with a heavier than rated tongue weight and then into a
turn and you find out that the front doesnąt steer right any more