Date:         Sat, 10 Mar 2007 21:57:37 -0500
Reply-To:     TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Trailer hitch opinions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

OK, for starters, I don't need to check the archives since this is not a
technical question.  Nor is it, a "Who makes..." question.  You see, the tax
man has cometh back and a hitch on the bus is LONG overdue.  Now, right off
the bat, I'm considering a Gary Lee Model as his reputation alone is enough
to buy one sight unseen.  Inititally it's going to mount on a Wolfsburg
model since the Sycro is down for a bum motor so it's getting a good refurb
from bow to stern.  What I'm looking for is something really "Manly"  A good
looking, beefy, rugged, can repel the blow from a soccer moms suburban or
other behemoth SUV (don't anyone start a safety or physics disertation in
this thread, I don't want to start that here-We will undeniably end up with
someone giving a link to the Vanagon-Volvo picture.  As if we haven't seen
it enough).  I know Aircooled.net has got the closest thing to "Big & Beefy"
but we're talking about 500-550 for a bare metal, 2" receiver in the lower
tube, and shipping to Florida.  See here:
http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewproductdetail.php?keyword2=EXG0006&cartid=<http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewproductdetail.php?keyword2=EXG0006&cartid>
Does anyone know of any others that even come anywhere close to something
similar.  Obviously the tow hook models are out.  After a little math and
spending all this time writing this, it's almost a moot question.  Gary's
comes to about 425 with shipping so I can't expect anything better for less
but just on the off chance that in the year I've been lurking, something may
have arrived that may fill the bill.  I did consider building one like this
dude: http://www.evcl.com/vw/  Look under the accessories tab.  The cost
plus the time (time=money) spent fabbing a hitch would come out to more I'm
sure.  My MIG welder couldn't hold a candle to Gary's TIG work so for things
like a trailer hitch, I'll pass on that option.  Feel free to throw your .02
my way.  Just for the record, I'd like to spend the rest of the tax mans
money on stuff like a new radiator, some hoses, a new clutch plate, a new AC
compressor and some really need stuff that I've put off.  Just in case
you're wondering why I don't just drop 6 C-notes on a hitch.  Yes, I'll keep
it forever so it's more of an investment.

TJ
87 Syncro
88 Wolfie