On 10/2, Bill Urban wrote: >I mainly want to tow a boat trailer of some kind such as a jetski, >canoe, paddleboat, or a small ski boat. Bill, I towed a jet ski trailer for 4 years with an 85 Vanagon Westy. I climbed 4500' mountain passes with the load many times with no problems, albeit often in second gear. It will slow you down significantly on uphill grades but the trailer travels along nicely due to the high position of the hitch: very level, unlike a passenger car. Total weight of 2 jet skiis, equipment, and the trailer was about 1000 lbs. Launching the skiis into the lake was easy: you just can't bury the back end of the van in the lake! A caveat: In the years following my towing adventures, I replaced both the tranny and the clutch, as well as a water pump and many other repairs. I do not know for a fact that these repairs were related to the towing, but it certainly is possible. Most likely there were just typical Vanagon expenses. Melissa Mourkas 81 Westy |
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