My Vanagon came from the PO with a heavy duty bolt on hitch.  I've had the bumper
off and looked it over but I don't remember the brand name.

I pull a 4x6 utility trailer that I have modified (with a plywood cover) to carry
our camping gear in a secure space and to carry 4 bicycles.  I have a picture
somewhere if anyone is interested.

Near my house is a county weigh station that I have utilized to get an idea of
what kind of weight I am pulling.
The bus with 4 passengers weighs 4200 lbs
The trailer empty with 4 bicycles weighs  650 lbs
The trailer with 4 bikes and our camping gear weighs  900 lbs

I have to agree that the brakes are the limitation.   I have plenty of power to
pull everything with the 2.1 but I plan ahead to stop.  One of the next things I
want to do is upgrade my brakes.  The mechanic I go to said to install braided
steel brake lines and I might do that.  I did this upgrade on a motorcycle once
and the improvement was definitely perceptible.

John McLean  87  Vanagon  GL

> Steve, you are one of a few who have actually towed anything, so your
> comments are needed and can now be found in the archives. If we do a
> search for 'towing' we find the hitch you are talking about (is it
> Dennis Haynes) and a lot of folks' opinions. Very little from those who
> have actually towed something. I hope we can add to that data.
>
> I only bring this up because I have asked more than my share of times
> about towing and only got mostly opinions and theories, so I have
> continued soliciting input from those with real experience. That way the
> helpful facts also get into the archive.
>