I was faced with the same predicament, but I only had to transport the van
about 15 miles. I futzed around for a while with the front bumper, and
finally decided to take off the rear bumper and attach it to the rear bumper
mounts. They are strong enough. I towed it backward, with the steering
locked straight ahead, and I never exceeded 20mph. It was a dynamic
mess--tires screeching when I went around turns, etc. But it got the job
done, with no apparent ill effects to the driveline. I wouldn't recommend it
unless it is an emergency...

>From: Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
>Reply-To: Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Towing with A-frame attached to front bumper mount?
>Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 19:15:57 +1200
>
>Anyone know whether the front bumper mount is strong enough to use
>for an attachment point for towing, using an A-frame?
>
>I need to bring my Caravelle 365km to Dunedin from Christchurch,
>where it's been stored.
>
>The buular was attached to the bumper mount by 2 long 12mm bolts run
>vertically through the bumper mount bulge. The metal there appears
>thick enough to carry the load. Any ideas?
>
>What I was thinking of doing was making an A-frame mount out of 2
>bent box-section U-shapes, which fit over the bumper mount and bolt
>on via 2x12mm bolts run vertically through the mount and spaced about
>1090mm (~4ft) apart; these would have a horizontal tube welded
>between them as a stay.
>
>Will the bumper mount sheetmetal bear the load and will 12mm bolts
>hold? If the bumper mount's too thin I'm screwed, as there is nowhere
>to attacvh an A-frame elsewhere. Of course I could use 3 or 4 bolts
>for attachment, but then I have to take the bumper mount curvature
>into consideration, and I don't have the van here to measure... guess
>the U-parts could be made one length and I could take a hacksaw along
>to shorten them on the spot. But I'll need to use a cordless drill
>for all this, and the battery may not be up to it!
>
>Thicker bolts than 12mm are of course feasible.
>--
>Andrew Grebneff
>165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
><andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
>Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut
>Friends don't let friends do Windows

Daniel Snow

'82 Vanagon Diesel
'78 Puch Maxi Luxe Moped
'01 Xootr Scooter
http://faculty.haas.berkeley.edu/snow/vanagon/vanagon.htmh

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