Date:         Sun, 3 Apr 2011 08:12:00 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Trailer hitches
Comments: To: Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <6FC428372059435981E5A23D39D8E067@troyb5bff49d63>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

  Troy,

I have a Dennis Haynes hitch mounted on my 88GL with the wide fiberglas 
bumpers. Excellent hitch and looks good with the bumper. I've never had 
a problem with it in towing. It is sufficiently stout that you can lift 
the rear of the vehicle off the ground with it with no sweat.  The hitch 

bolts to the frame with three big bolts on either side of the vehicle. 
You remove the bumper from the van, remove the bumper mounts. Then you 
mount the bumper to the hitch, and the install the hitch into the bumper 

mount slots with the six bolts, three on each side. When done, it looks 
good and is pretty slick.

Will send a picture shortly.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com


On 4/3/2011 3:39 AM, Troy wrote:
> A while back I asked about bumpers.  In addition to dressing up the van, the other reason for adding bumpers would be to get a 2 inch receiver. I'd like to mount one of the small cargo carriers back there, and it would free up some room in the van.  Aluminum ones seem to sell for about $80 or so. I have an 89 Westy with the larger fiberglass bumpers, and I can't really say I'm bothered by the look. So, I'm thinking about the possibility of just adding a trailer hitch. I see there are types that simply bolt on to the frame hooks, and then some more expensive ($350) that rest a bid higher that require cutting of the fiberglasss bumper, but have greater tongue weight.  If I'm going to spend $350, I'm thinking I would probably go the extra money and just buy one of Rocky Mountain Westy's bumpers for the extra bucks.  Anyone have any comments about the trailer hitches that bolt on to the frame hooks?  This may get me by for a while too and they seem to sell for about $150.00.  I'm just wondering with an 20 to 24 inch extension, if I"m going to smack the cargo holder on the ground pulling into driveways and such. I'm told those hitches rest pretty low.  I welcome all comments.
>
> Troy
>