Date:         Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:05:02 -0500
Reply-To:     pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Towing a Vanagon
Comments: To: Mark A Kippert <vanagon@KIPPERT.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <B1D43334-B3C3-443D-8040-772EEB69DCE5@kippert.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

A 4 wheel trailer is only a better option if it has good brakes.
Using a car hauler without brakes is even more dangerous due to the greatly
increased total towed weight.

OTOH, if you use a tow dolly make sure the rear wheel bearings on the towed
vehicle are in good shape.  You can't hear a dying bearing howl in a vehicle
being towed.  Also check that the rear tires are good or bring some spares.
And as stated before, remove the CV shafts.



-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Mark A Kippert
Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2008 9:20 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Towing a Vanagon

I'm taking my next step into the Vanagon addiction. I just recently
bought a 1987 GL for parts. It's a complete van, and to be honest,
it's in pretty good shape. Now I just need to get it home. It's about
2 hours South of Indy. It has been setting for about 1.5 to 2 years.

I own tow dolly. I'm just wondering which end should go on the dolly,
front or rear. It's an automatic with a good transmission. I'm also
wondering which end is lighter, front or back. I'd rather put the
lighter end on the dolly, but is this the best way to two.

Mainly I've towed lighter front wheel drive cars around town, so the
drive wheels never touched the ground. This time it will be a 4000lb
van and I don't want to mess up a good transmission.

Any suggestion on the best way to tow would be appreciated.

-Mark K