Matthew,

I think at the very least you'll want to upgrade to 15"
wheels and a SA big brake kit.

http://www.vanagon.com/vendors/ had this to say about Vanagon
towing, and the Dennis Haynes hitch:

Manufactures a Vanagon Class ThreeTrailer Hitch, designed to
allow the mounting of many accessories such as bicycle racks
and luggage carriers to the rear of your Vanagon. This hitch
was not designed nor intended to be used for towing anything
in excess of the Vehicle Manufacturers recommendations. (For
most Vanagons, this is 2000 pounds with a maximum tongue
weight of 150 pounds.)

Dennis Haynes
970 Smithtown Ave.
Bohemia NY 11716

+1 631.563.8248
dhaynes@optonline.net

Stay away from hitches that mount to the tow loops!

Thanks,
Chris

---- Original message ----
>Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 10:56:09 -0400
>From: "G.M.Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
>Subject: Towing weight, handling, sailboat.
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>I am considering replacing the trailer-sailboat I sold some
years ago,
>and *may* pull same with our 1982 Vanagon.  We are looking at
>MacGregors/Ventures as this is what I had, and I love the
design. We are
>looking at the 21, 22, 24, and 25 foot versions, mostly the
21 and 25,
>which are 1,800, and 2,900 lbs with trailer.
>
>What is the towing/braking capacity of the 1982 Vanagon
(Westfalia)?
>Have any of you towed this type of boat before with your
Vanagon? How
>did it fair?
>(For what it is worth, I typically pay someone with a
truck/4wd to pull
>same up the ramp, so traction/clutching isn't an issue).
>Bringing your ideas to life,
>G. Matthew Bulley
>Bulley-Hewlett
>Business: www.bulley-hewlett.com <http://bulley-hewlett.com/>
>AIM = IExplain4u
>Phone: +1.919.658.1278
>It's Greek to me.