Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006 06:41:45 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: Hitch install
In-Reply-To: <000001c6d621$b7f920a0$6500a8c0@notebook>
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The main reason I designed my hitch was the experience of having the tow
hooks snap and dropping a luggage carrier. Luckily I was in a campground
when it fell.
While the tow mounted hitches are suitable for towing small loads, the
twisting action of any overhung load flexes the tow loops and will also
stretch out the mounting holes on the chassis rail. My hitch addresses both
those issues.
The Vanagon drive line and cooling system handles towing quite well. I have
towed Vanagons but I do not recommend it. The limiting factor is brakes and
most states require brakes, some with trailers as light as 1,000 pounds.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Rich Bennington
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 12:13 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Hitch install
Helmut,
There are several factors that affect "tow rating". Things like radiator
capacity, transmission, gear box design, rear end design, frame strength,
hitch strength, braking, etc. VW had something like a 1300 lb max tow
rating, if I recall correctly, on the vanagon. You can put a stronger hitch
on, but it won't increase the tow rating.
I have one of the GoWesty mounts that go on the stock bracket mounts. The
hitch itself is VERY strong with a 2" receiver -- would easily get a 5000+
lb tow rating (class III-IV) if installed on another vehicle. The tow hook
mount arrangement looks pretty strong too plus the GoWesty hitch has a third
connection in the center of the hitch, connected to a crossmember which
keeps it rock solid. I'm quite impressed. (Just connecting to the tow hooks
alone might sag a bit with enough tongue weight, so it's the right design)
HOWEVER, the engine cooling on the vanagon, the transmission, and the engine
power are clearly the limiting factors. Having done a lot of towing on
various size vehicles, I wouldn't tow much more than about 1000 lbs with the
vanagon. (OK, maybe 1300 lbs on the flats for a short distance!) There
will be others that will claim they have towed way more, but I believe in
being safe and being realistic. Around where I live (mountains), we never
tow more than about 80% of the tow vehicle rating and even less on a vehicle
with little torque.
That all said, my bike rack has never been so solid, and I tow a light open
trailer for Kayaks, bikes, and windsurfers. Check carefully the weight of
your trailer and cargo if going bigger.
--Rich
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-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
Helmut Blong
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 7:20 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Hitch install
While I have my rear bumper apart, I'm thinking I might fabricate a
square-receiver hitch. Don't want to do any serious hauling - mostly for a
hitch-mount bicycle carrier and maybe tow a small cargo or boat trailer. I
plan to just span the stock brackets with some square tube and either
project through the bumper or drop below the bumper. I think a
through-bumper install would be slick.
I've seen the tow eye mounted hitches and I think I recall that they are
rated class I for about 1000#. Can anyone tell me if this rating is with the
stock bracket mounts? I was just looking at a photo of a South African hitch
that seems to have much longer brackets and presumably additional mounting
bolts. I don't want to overload the stock brackets but I figure that if the
class I tow eye hitch works, my proposed install should be even sturdier.
Opinions? Knowledge?
cheers,
mordo
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