>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