Date:         Thu, 7 Oct 1999 15:20:38 EDT
Reply-To:     FrankGRUN@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Frank Grunthaner <FrankGRUN@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Towing Hitch Solution!!! (LONG)
Comments: To: s.shane@pobox.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Just a comment here. I certainly agree that the hook mounted solution is no
solution at best. I nearly lost a bicycle mounted on the hitch on the
freeway. Bad, very bad.

On the other hand, I reported to the list my experience with the Bus Depot
hitch. Frankly wasn't aware on Dennis's product (actually had forgotten -
age, etc.). After having a receiver to plate adapter made (adds $50 to $75)
to cost of hitch, I have had excellent results. We routinely haul around a
'82 Honda XL 500 motorcycle (328 pounds, plus straps and fuel) on a Moto-X
motorcycle hitch carrier. The carrier is fabricated from steel and weighs
about 100 pounds with loading ramp. We've gone up (and down) mountains, on
freeways (70-75 mph), dirt trails, rough asphalt, parking lots woth speed
bumps, etc. and never a problem. Also no clearance problems in and out of
sloping driveways and campsites.

Unanticipated added benefit: No tailgating. It seems that all drivers,
including a sample of semi-inebriated rednecks, look at the motorcycle on the
back of the Westfalia, conclude that it will fall off real-soon-now and first
pull back. They then quiver in intellectual doubt, then change lanes. General
observation: when traffic is moving, there are no cars within 6 car lengths
of the edge of the bike. It extends nearly 30 inches behind the surface of
the rear of the vanagon.

Frank Grunthaner