Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2006 15:41:37 -0900
Reply-To: Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Subject: Re: SOURCE OF HITCHES
In-Reply-To: <80F4EE67-10AA-4B50-A83C-20286D9A2D34@pottsfamily.ca>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Greg,
With no disrespect to you or Jamie Rivers expressed, implied or intended, I would put my money on Dennis' hitch anyday of the week. I have seen both and others as well and of all that I have observed to date only the hitch Dennis makes mounts the way a hitch should. Will a hitch mounted to the tow loops work, sure, is it better then direct attachment to the frame with plate steel and three bolts per side, not likely. If you can find two "testosterone-laden syncronauts" to test your hypothisis out, go for it and send me the video as I am unable to attend either event this year. I could do this myself if I were so inclined as I have two Syncro's in the driveway, one with Dennis' hitch and the other tow loop mounted, but I am not going to trash my vans just to prove that which is already obvious. Dennis' hitch costs a little more, but you are getting a better product that mounts the way a hitch should.
Mark in AK
----- Original Message -----
From: Greg Potts <Greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Date: Friday, March 31, 2006 1:48 pm
Subject: Re: SOURCE OF HITCHES
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Hi Mark,
>
> My family has successfully and safely towed a 5000 lb baywindow bus
> with a Jamie Rivers hitch. Those tow loops are pretty near
> indestructible and the hitch is quite beefy.... Frank Condelli has
> told me he has seen a recovered westy where the frame bent before the
> tow loops did. Does that mean that Jamie's hitches are stronger than
> Dennis's? Hmmmm.
>
> We should find a pair of testosterone-laden syncronauts and a couple
> of stumps and settle this outside. Perhaps a spectator event for
> EveryBus or Synchro de Mayo??
>
> Happy trails,
>
> Greg Potts
> Toronto, Ontario, Canada
>
> 1973/74/79 Westfakia Conversion **Bob the Tomato** LY3H
> 1977 Sunroof Automatic L63H/L90D
> http://www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia
> http://www.busesofthecorn.com
>
>
>
>
> On 31-Mar-06, at 4:37 PM, Mark Tuovinen wrote:
>
> > Anthony,
> >
> > The link and info is great, but as I see it these are mounted to
> > the tie down loops and therefore not as good as the hitch that list
> > member Dennis Haynes offers. Dennis' hitch mounts securely to the
> > frame with with three bolts per side and plate steel, they do
> > require minor bumper modification, at least for chrome bumpers, but
> > this takes only a few minutes and you end up with a very stout
> > hitch that fits nicely, installs easily, and will tow anything that
> > you would sanely want behind your van.
> >
> > Mark in AK
>
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