I had the same kinda hitch fabricated by Tony at Rick's Hitch in Phoenix
(there is no Rick).  Mine is a 1 1/4" Receiver but he could do either.  I
love it.  It's totally clean.  Tony charged me $100.00 including that slide
in thingy.

Patrick

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Tomljenovic" <zadar72@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2001 10:11 PM
Subject: Re: Trailer hitches and food for spring meet

> hey is this what your thinking of?
>
> http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1631693&a=12475157&p=46122123
>
> http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1631693&a=12475157&p=46122129
>
> http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1631693&a=12475157&p=46122132
>
> http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1631693&a=12475157&p=46122136
>
> just had it done last week.  I was looking for a 2" reciever to carry
> my bike rack,  called like a dozen hitch places until someone was willing
> to take the vanagon challenge. the price of addmission, $195
>
> the place was advantage trailer in villa park, illinois.  I don't have a
> phone# but they are 400w st. charles rd. (for those of you in the chicago
> area) they did great work, look at the pics.
>
> I wanted something low profile and inside the bumper for minimal overhang.
> at first the welder said no way,
>  until I explained to him what I wanted to do, afterwords he liked the
> whole idea.  In fact he himself was impressed with how it turned out!  His
> name is Jim and is the custom welder there.
>
> Well he welded 1.25 tube between the mounts and gusseted the top for extra
> strength.  Then a hole cut in the rear skirt for the 2" reciever tube. he
> gusseted the reciever also, this thing is going nowhere!
> The bumper was notched out to allow for the hitch to poke though. the
> result is what I hope you see.
>
> I still have to notch out my bumper strip, will try that with a coping
> saw and much patience. I hope you guys have seen how it can be done.
>
> oh, and this is my first post, hope it goes though, I am a long time vw
> owner new westie convert. my ride is a 83 wasserboxxer, with get this,
>  25000mi, full records and everything, the fridge still works! hope I
> you guys aren't too jealous. will give the whole story as soon as I figure
> how to post a new topic.
>
> johnny t
>