Date:         Sun, 16 Apr 2006 05:15:26 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Haynes Trailer Hitch Installation.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

My pictures of this got lost with the motherboard crash. But here are a
few comments.

The hitch installation is very straight forward for the plastic bumper
version. My rig is an 88 GL. with the fiberglas bumpers.

The bumper is held on the van by 8 bolts.
]
Four large bolts bolts anchor the bumper to the vehicle  frame. There
are two bumper brackets and these are bolted to the bumper and the other
end fits into a box frame or rail on  each side. Two bolts on the
outboard side of the frame secure the bumper brackets to the box frames.
Remove these bolts to remove the bumper.

Four lessor bolts - two on each side - anchor the end trim of the bumper
to the sheetmetal of van.

When the 8 bolts are removed, the bumper just slides right out and off
the van.

The bumper brackets are then removed from the bumper, the bumper is
mounted to the trailer hitch, then the entire bumper/hitch assembly is
re- installed on the van. Goes back on like it came off.

I had a few minor problems with bolt hole alignment, but a drift and a
tapered tap took care of the problem.

I really like the hitch. Works well.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver