Any more detail on that front hitch? I would LOVE to get one.
If you ever want to sell it let me know...

Thanks,
Chris

---- Original message ----
>Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 08:31:48 -0500
>From: Chris Mills <scmills@TNTECH.EDU>
>Subject: Re: Towing with an '81 2.0?
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>>My '81 came with a 2" ball hitch (front AND rear), and very
nice trailer
>>wiring harness. Question is, how much do I dare tow with
this thing? I've
>>seen pics or vanagons pulling small cars; I have a Scirocco
autoX car I'd
>>like to pull behind the van. Most of my events are local,
but I may attend
>>one or two regionals that are two hours or so away. The car
weighs about
>>2200 lbs in race trim. Am I out of mind to even think I can
use the van as a
>>tow vehicle? Any of you guys have first-hand experience?
The van is powered
>>by a big-valve 2.0 with a Weber progressive conversion, and
is a four-spd.
>>manual. TIA-
>
>
>I've got the same 2.0 in my '78 Westy and I tow occasionally
also. I run
>oil temp, oil pressure, and cylinder head temp gauges.
>
>I've towed my drivetrain-less Beetle over the Tennessee
hills to use the
>family shop and such with much success. We're talking about
2,000 ft hills.
>I regularly used to tow a utility trailer and riding lawn
tractor back when
>I was mowing yards a few years back. No problems.
>
>The aircooled VW is not the ideal towing vehicle but with
some practice -
>careful anticipation of hard stops and keeping the revs high
enough that
>the engine cools without overreving it.
>
>In my opinion the VW is suited for 1,000 lbs. and maybe more
if you aren't
>climbing hills. 2,200 lbs? Go for it.
>
>The vehicles limitations are brakes and overheating. I'd
invest a good oil
>filter, and synthetic oil and consider an external cooler if
your oil temps
>run high.
>
>Go with a Corvair transplant and get either 95 (better for
towing) or 110
>HP and a wider variety of gear ratios.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Chris M. <Busbodger - "TEAM SLOWPOKE">
>Cookeville, Tennessee
>
>ICQ# 5944649
>scm9985@tntech.edu
>
>'78 VW Westfalia (67 HP -> that is...67 Hamster Power)
>'65 Beetle - Type IV powered
>'99 CR-V AWD station wagon
>'81 CB900 Custom moto-chickle
>2.5 Corvair engines for my Trans-vair Conversion