My Syncro has towed other Syncros and Westys with a tow bar.  Obviously they
weigh loads more than 2000 pounds.  However, you don't have enough
horsepower to do much over 55-60 mph, and even that must be done with great
care, as your brakes are then way undersized.  Also, since the towed vehicle
weighs about as much as the tow vehicle, there is a significant tendency for
a rear end sway to develop on the tow vehicle, (which is accentuated at
higher speeds) and which can be downright dangerous.  For all practical
purposes, the best bet is to go about 45 mph, and stay in third gear.  That
is slow for long distances, but much saner and safer, IMHO.

Budd Premack
86 Syncro, 81,84 Westys
Minneapolis, MN (Land of Sky Blue Waters)

---- Original Message -----
From: Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, November 03, 2000 1:53 AM
Subject: Re: HELP! What is GVW???

> >Steve Shane wrote:
> >
> >> Hi Volks. Steven Shane here. I am trying to figure out what my Westy
can
> >> safely tow. I understand the towing limit on Vanagons is 2000lbs. But
when a
> >> trailer has a GVW weight listed on it... Is that the weight of the
trailer
> >> BEFORE it is loaded, or is it the maximum load of the cargo PLUS the
weight
> >> of the trailer?
> >
> >Steve,
> >Gross Vehicle Weight- the total loaded weight of the trailer (or
vehicle).
> >Larry
>
>
> Should be GVM (gross vehicle mass). The physical property under
> consideration is mass (measured in kg or lb), not weight (kgm, lbft).
>
> Another case of common "knowledge" being anything but.
>
>
> Andrew Grebneff
> Dunedin, New Zealand
> VW & mollusc nut
> 1984 Caravelle (currently SVX engine waiting for a trans)
> 1985 Mitsubishi Galant Sigma 2.0 (FWD)
> 1986 CE80 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX diesel
> 1989 CE96 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX diesel van/wagon
> 1989 CT170 Toyota Corona Select 2.0 diesel
>