You haven't added in the weight of all the beer that balloonists tend to
drink!

I used to haul around a hot air balloon with my '68 Squareback.  Never
really had any problems, other than a poorly designed trailer tended to sway
around a bit.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "Moritz, Thomas W NWW" <Thomas.W.Moritz@NWW01.USACE.ARMY.MIL>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2001 1:16 PM
Subject: Transmission gross vehicle weight capacity

> Recently my wife has gotten involved in hot air ballooning.  Purchasing
our
> own balloon is a distinct possibility in the near future.  The balloon,
> basket, burner, fuel tanks, and inflator fan will total up to about
> 850-1000lb.  I estimate that I can build or buy an aluminum trailer
weighing
> around 250-350lb.
>
> My question for the list is, can I  tow this amount of weight with our
1990
> Westie with an automatic transmission?  Initially it would be in the
> immediate area, i.e. short hauls to the launch site then back from the
> landing site.  Retrieval from the landing site might involve driving on a
> dirt road or into a dry field.  Eventually we would like to tow to balloon
> festivals in the Pacific Northwest.  This would entail driving grades up
to
> 7% or taking the long way around.  I am considering the TIICO engine swap
> giving me some needed horse power but I'm concerned that I will exceed the
> load capacity of the transmission.  I was also thinking about installing a
> transmission fluid cooler to offset the higher loading but this doesn't
> address items such as gearing and brake straps are not up to the extra
> torque.   Can somebody give me some feedback on this?  Are there
> alternatives such as replacing the automatic with a standard tranny?  Has
> anybody put their fully loaded Westie on a scale?   I have not and I'm
> curious if there is any spare capacity on the GVW.  Any input will be
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Tom Moritz
>