Date:         Sun, 17 Sep 95 13:48:37 EDT
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         jag@cs.rochester.edu
Subject:      Re: Tow Hitch


> Date: Fri, 15 Sep 1995 21:08:46 -0400
> From: danmoy@netaxs.com (Dan_Moy)
>  Is there a 1 Ton (or 2000lb) 200 lb tounge tow hitch available for a 1984
> vanagon?
> 
> I have already checked out the Vanagon automatrix.com web page's suggestions
> and only found a 1500-150 lb tow hitch.  Which would not be enough to tow my
> beetles.

There is a mechanic in NY, who custom builds hitches for vanagons.
His name is Dennis and number (evenings and weekends) is 516-563-8248.
Derek Drew posted info on this about half a year ago. I got all the
hitch threads on this list saved, so if you want it drop me a line.
You can also look it up yourself in the list archives.

I just installed one of these hitches this weekend. It is a 2" receiver
style. Mounts with six bolts to frame. Replaces standard bumper mounts,
and bumper remounts to hitch assembly instead. The hitch sticks out
a little bit in the back, and is not as inconspicous as some other
receiver style hitches I've seen. The receiver is placed low, just
10" off the ground.

I'm happy with mine, and plan to use it for one of those "basket" things
(wheelless trailer). My only problems were: The fit was so-so, so what
should have been a 30min swap (the 6 bolts to the frame+four for the bumper)
took me a good 3h of wrestling, first with the aid of so + breaker bar, 
later so + hydraulic jack to bend the hitch parts so they fit. (The misfit was
only a couple of mm, but it's not easy to change the shape of steel of this
dimension.

/Martin

PS: Anyone know of other places than Camping WOrld for those basket things?
(I'd like the simple platform one, not the enclosed plastic box style)