Date:         Tue, 12 Sep 2006 20:35:13 -0700
Reply-To:     Rich Bennington <rich.bennington@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rich Bennington <rich.bennington@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Hitch install
Comments: To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <001401c6d658$0afe9380$6400a8c0@MASTERPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

<
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
Dennis Haynes
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 3:42 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Hitch install

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.
>

How much were you towing(really, how much tongue weight)?  And which hitch?
Did it have a center mount besides the tow hooks? I've seen some that don't,
which causes way extra torque applied right to the the holes you mention due
to the twisting action you mention.  Still, with tongue weight supposed to
be 10-15% of the load, we should be talking about 100-150 lbs.  I'm over
that, and standing on mine, it doesn't move one bit.  I wouldn't go
overboard on it, though, for the reasons you mention.

<
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.
>

I'm with you on the brakes - but I sure wouldn't give my vanagon
transmission and engine much load at 160K miles (manual transmission).  Most
serious tow packages on trucks have transmission coolers(automatics) and
"super engine cooling", which is increased capacity.  And the torque is
typically in the 300-600 ft-lb range.  And most 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton truck
mfgs. have very low tow ratings for manual transmissions -- you have to buy
the automatics for serious towing.  So even with electric brakes, and your
hitch, you still can't (shouldn't) tow much with a vanagon.

--Rich