Date:         Mon, 8 Nov 2010 18:18:13 +0000
Reply-To:     J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Trailer hitches..couple of questions
Comments: To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <AANLkTimwAkDX1GX5KC9-5YoDbYEBU4+7dFcs7R6dVP4N@mail.gmail.com>
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Funny you should ask, I just yesterday installed my project hitch bumper on my '85. I wanted a 2" receiver hitch on my Westy too, but decided to make my own. First I went to a sheet metal shop and got a 6' length of 3" X 3" square tube (funny how the shop had a scrap piece in their dumpster, but suddenly it was worth $20.00!) Then I went to Tractor Supply and got the hitch receiver portion (intended for a pick up truck bumper) and bolted that to the 3 inch square tube. I then bolted the tube to the stock bumper brackets. Once I was sure everything was lined up perfectly, I took the whole thing off (stock bumper brackets included) and had it all welded together. Total cost was right at about $100.00 for everything. I will try to get some pictures posted soon. Jeff



Jeff Stewart


----- "Don Hanson" <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:


I want to add a hitch to my 2wd 84 with manual tranny and 5sp. I have 2"
square receiver hitches on all my other vehicles. Is there a hitch for
Vanagons with a 2" square receiver? I would like to interchange all the
various pieces between all the vehicles, the hitch extensions..or whatever
that part with the ball or the equipment rack fits onto. What I need to
haul right now is a Wells Cargo tool trailer. Not often, and not far but
it'd be pretty heavy when loaded..Probably more than a Vanagon should haul
over any distance. Later on, I might be tempted to put a scooter on back
there or an exterior cargo box or something...but for now, just need it to
haul ( very few short and careful trips) my tools around this fall.

I would probably have about 2 hundred lbs of tongue weight when the
trailer was poorly loaded. I can usually lift the tongue, barely. I also
see there are adapters that change the size of the hitch 'sockets'. Maybe
that is the only way to get where I need to go...a smaller receiver with a
larger 2" adapter? Just a quick Google shows me a Class 1 from JC Whitney
for ~$109...I could afford that..

Anybody have any input on hitches?

Thanks, Don Hanson