using the hitches ratings alone is a disaster looking for a place to
happen.  tongue weights first factor is the limitations of the mounting
points.  standard mounting point on the vanagon is the little hooks.  a
second mounting  point used is to remove bumper and use the bumper
mounting points. much stronger.  the other factor is the leverage of
the tongue weight. causing raising nose  and dropping rear to a point
of possibly loosing steering and braking control. (this is not to much
of a problem on the vanagon.   doing the motorcyle on a trailer would
be the way to go.  I have seen 250 carried on one of the flat extension
shelfs by vanagons using the bumper horn mounting type that didnt
appear to have problems but i would be a bit leery about 350 plus
weight of the shelf.
jimt
On Friday, Oct 11, 2002, at 08:21 America/Denver, DaveC wrote:

>> I have been looking at some of the Type III 2" hitch motorcycle
>> carriers to carry an Enfield 500 that weighs 350#. Most specify that
>> the tongue weight be capable of the 350# plus the carrier itself, an
>> additional 85#.
>>
>> All the information I have found indicate the tongue capacity for a
>> vanagon to be 150#. Is this accurate? Is it possible to carry this
>> 350# bike without using a trailer?
>
> Tongue weight depends on the tongue!! What brand is the hitch? One
> brand's max will be 200#, another 500#. It all depends.
>
> Dave
> --
> Dave Carpenter
>
> "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from
> magic." -- Arthur C. Clarke
>