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Date:         Sun, 12 Jul 1998 00:44:38 EDT
Reply-To:     SBate82659@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Sam Bateman <SBate82659@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Towing with 88 autotranny
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

In a message dated 98-07-10 01:53:37 EDT, you write:

<< I would appreciate people's opinon and experience with towing a light weight tent trailer with 88 vanagon auto tranny(non-westy). How much load can a van take? I don't have a trailer(or hitch) yet, so I want to find out how practical it would be to consider this. >>

Bill,

I just returned from a camping trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway here in Virginia towing a very light (less than 500#'s) Apache Eagle pop-up camper with my '87 non-Westy with 4-speed tranny. Didn't have a LOT of problems but could definitly tell it was back there - especially on the upgrades. On relatively level ground, however, I ran the A/C while towing and easily ran 55 - 60 mph. The biggest problem I encountered was a 15% grade (that's right steep!) on the approach to the Parkway where I was in between 2nd and 3rd gears. My 4-speed's 2nd gear was too low and 3rd was too high so I had to continually row between them to keep the rpm's in the green zone. Your auto tranny shouldn't have this problem.

On level ground, I think the Vanagon (both auto and manual) should easily tow 500 - 1,000 #'s. Just don't expect to accelerate with a BMW or such and allow additional braking room for stops.

Sam Bateman Fork Union, VA '87 Vanagon GL (now resting)


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