Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:06:12 -0700
Reply-To: TJ Hannink <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: TJ Hannink <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: towing a van?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
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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