The Roadmaster brackets do not require bumper removal for installation.
They attach to the bottom of the box behind the bumper using an existing
hole and then reach back with two more bolts attaching to the chassis
rails along side the spare tire.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Budd Premack
Sent: Wednesday, December 04, 2002 4:00 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Tow Bar for Vanagon???

www.jrhitches.com is the site for Roadmaster hitches as suggested by
Dennis
Haynes.

You can also check with U-Haul or other local hitch installer to check
out
their prices.  I bought a hitch from U-Haul about 5 years ago and have
used
it dozens of times, towing Vanagons as far as 2000 miles.

Just be sure that the brackets that attach to your Vanagon are securely
bolted to the box frame member that lurks behind the front bumper (which
must be removed first).  Additionally, heed Dennis' cautions about
safety.
Remember that the main problem with towing is lack of stopping power,
not
lack of horsepower.

If your tow vehicle is smaller than a full size pickup, be very careful
about the sway that will occur as your towed Vanagon tries to steer
itself
over all of the road irregularities.  (The tail tries to wag the dog.)
This
problem dramatically increases with higher speeds.  However, if you are
prudent, you can tow a Vanagon behind another Vanagon, although max
cruising
speeds should be in the 45-55 mph range.

Good luck.

Budd Premack
86 Syncro, 88 Wolfsburg
Land of Sky-Blue (Frozen) Waters
Minneapolis, MN