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I was wondering about getting a hitch installed on my 82 vanagon so that I
could pull a trailer or use one of those moto-tote type motorcycle carriers
(bike weighs about 350 lbs).

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I've always wanted a class 2 hitch for my vanagon.  I also want to keep my
stock bumper in the original location.

Some of the class 2 "bolt on" hitches for the vanagon may be class 2, but
they are Not good enough to carry a 300 lb motorcycle on a "motojack rack"
http://www.motojackrack.com .  The hitch will flex and the bike will bounce
around back there.

I don't know about the South African OEM hitch, but the German OEM hitch is
not good enough to carry a 300 lb. motorcycle with a receiver type carrier.

I think that if I removed the stock bumper and welded a custom made
motorcycle carrier directly to the two bumper brackets it would be stiff
enough.

I've got a trailer for now, works fine for my Honda XR600R and Suzuki
DR350SE

Gary
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/rack/motorcycle.htm