Problem with using attachments (such as bike rack) to the bolt on bumper
hitches is that there have been reports of the hooks that the hitch bolts on
to cracking and breaking away!!!

For instance... a bike and bike rack on such a hitch will start bouncing due
to road vibrations... over a period of time this can cause cracking... left
to the hooks will break.

To mitigate this situation I did two things:
1. I had small triangles of metal welded across the bend in the tow hooks
(the place most likely to crack and break due to stress).
2. I put tension on a tie down strap between the bike rack and the top edge
of the rear hatch.... stops most of the bouncing when going down the road...
and takes some weight off the hitch.

I wouldn't use one of these hitches with a bike rack without at least one of
the above solutions.

But, really by the time you spend the money for a hitch and a bike rack it
is probably cheaper and a better installation to just order one of the
Fiamma Bike racks that attach to the rear hatch... about $250 ... and a lot
less weight.

Bill

----- Original Message -----
From: <KENWILFY@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2000 9:48 AM
Subject: 2" Receiver Hitches Available for Vanagon

> I have been waiting a while for this to become available.  It is a hitch
that
> attaches to the towing hooks under the rear bumper and comes with all the
> mounting hardware needed.  It is a class I hitch with 100 lb tounge rating
> and 1000 lb tow rating.  However this hitch has a 2" square receiver.
That
> means you can use this hitch as not only a tow item but to also use many
of
> the items available for the 2" receiver (like bike racks just as an
example).
>  These are selling for $109.95 and are available to order over the phone
or
> on the website with the part number:
> hitch1.  Just FYI.
>
> Thanks,
> Ken Wilford
> http://www.vanagain.com
> John 3:16
>
> New Phone (856)-327-4936
> Shop: (856)-765-1583
> Fax:     (856)-327-2242
>