Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:20:37 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: towing a van?
In-Reply-To: <346221.82995.qm@web60311.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Yes, The vanagon tows nicley 4 wheels down. The Roadmaster Brackets and tow
bar are definaltey the way to go. Also make sure your hitch is rated for
5,000 pounds and the vehicle towing has the GCWR and towing capacity for the
job. You do want to consider a brake operator. A lot of choices here. And
you will also want side marker lights. Turning the ignition on, then off and
leaving the key in place will keep the wheel un locked.
Dennis
>From: TJ Hannink <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
>Reply-To: TJ Hannink <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: towing a van?
>Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:06:12 -0700
>
>Roadmaster makes a set of tow brackets specifically for a Vanagon; I have a
>set on my Camper. The Roadmaster towbar setup attaches directly to these
>brackets; adapters are available for a Blue Ox towbar.
>
>You can either leave the keys in the ignition to unlock the steering while
>towing or disable the steering wheel lock, which is what I did. I think I
>removed the lock return spring and superglued the locking tab in the open
>position.
>
>You might want to look into a supplemental braking system too; most states
>are requiring them for towed vehicles with a GWVR over 2500 lbs along with
>a break-away device.
>
>Good luck,
>
>TJ Hannink
>Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
>1981 Bluebird Wanderlodge, FC-33SB
>Des Allemands, Louisiana
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wolfsburg_campers
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FC_wanderlodge
>
>
>
>----- Original Message ----
>From: Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 9:19:46 AM
>Subject: towing a van?
>
>This is probably 'archived', but my dial-up (remember that?) internet
>connection here in the back country of the northwest is so slow that it'd
>take all day to find it...So..
>
> Any input on towing an 84 manual trans vanagon for a long trip? I have
>a
>couple of tow bars, one I used to tow a Datsun king cab pickup to La Paz,
>Baja behind a huge motor home...(I'll never drive one of those down Baja
>Hwy
>1 again!) and another lighter one I used to tow my Beetle around behind my
>F250 Ford 4X4. The Beetle-specific one is probably a little frail for the
>weight of the vanagon. The other was built to tow a full size pickup, so
>that would probably be best..but is there an anchor point of choice for
>vanagon towing?
> I have a set-up of lights that I string along the outside of the towed
>vehicle, so wiring into the van's taillights is not a concern. Is there a
>way to block out the steering column/ignition lock? Or, should I just
>disconnect the batteries and leave the key in the ignition like I used to
>do
>with the Datsun? (the Beetle had no steering lock)
> I am contemplating taking the Vanagon along as a "tool trailer" this
>winter when I head south from Oregon to the desert Southwest. About 1500
>miles each way, hauling my carpentry tools so I can work a little while I
>am
>there for a few months...Since diesel fuel is coming up on $4 per gallon,
>I'll be trying to utilize my truck as a work vehicle now and towing the
>Vanagon as a "tool trailer", then transferring the tools into the truck for
>work use. Once there, the van can resume it's function as transportation
>and camp vehicle.
> Thanks,
> Don Hanson
>
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