I think a rear hitch basket in the back is your best bet. Waqter cooled guys
will tell you not to mount stuff on the front because it interfears with airflow
to the rad, plus there is always the issue of obsuring headlights.

With that kind of weight I'd stay away from hitches that attach straight between
the tow loops. You probably need a 2" receiver hitch of which there are a few
available out there. I finally decided on Fast Forward's bush bumper and hitch
because I like the idea of being able to stand on my rear bumber and also it
appeared to interfere the leaset with exit angle:

http://www.fastforward.ca/vanagon/default.htm#Bumper

Some other options are:
VW approved factory tow hitch - $169.00. Rated at 1.5 tons from:
http://www.tiico.com/prod02.htm

Then there is the hitch to end all hitches from Dennis Haynes (which I would have
ordered except I liked the fast forward item just a bit better for reasons
previously stated). Get info by e-mailing Dennis Haynes at dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET

Thanks,
Chris

Reply-To:   Jeff Howard <schur@PRODIGY.NET>
Date:   Wed, 11 Jul 2001 10:29:23 -0400
To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:   Scooter on a Westy?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm hoping to take a long trip in my '87 Westy this summer. I'm playing with the
idea of mounting a motor scooter (Yamaha, Honda, Vespa, etc.) on the back or
front of the van. I found a platform for a scooter that mounts in a trailer hitch
in a catalog but it seems like the trailer hitch may be a problem. It needs to
support about 200 pounds of weight. The local Draw Tite dealer didn't even list a
hitch for the van.

Has anyone carried a scooter on their van before? Front or back? ANy suggestions
for a hitch that has a tongue weight of 200 pounds or so?

Thanks in advance!

Jeff H.
'87 Westy
Chapel Hill, NC

Thanks,
Chris Gronski
'80 Westy "Pokey" - SLOPOKEY
'87 Chevrolet Sprint - Ice Racer
'91 Pontiac Firefly - Convertable
www.vanagon.org & .ca
www.gronski.com, .org, & .ca
www.nineeleven.org & .ca