Actually, I believe that auto manufacturers consider those to be "tie down",
as opposed to "tow" loops, for use in securing the vehicles while being
transported on a ship across the Atlantic or Pacific (in addition to
warranty and liability reasons, after purchase).  And Paul, instead of
criticizing a nation (or a race of people), you should consider the
intelligence of the white guys in the video.  Instead of pushing the car
forward into a cleared driveway, they continued towing it further *into* a
snow bank, and pulled at a poor angle, to boot.  I'm sure that some "Japs"
watching the video will be thinking "STUPID (CAUCASIAN) AMERICANS!"

Cary

----- Original Message -----
From: David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
To: <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2004 6:33 PM
Subject: Re: simple-minded like me?

> G. Lee wrote:
> > re. pulling bumper and tow loops out of car.  Video.
> >
> > I've seen a couple of rear vanagon tow loops pulled/broken off.  I'd bet
> > that not many vehicles have tow loops that could take being jerked like
> > that.
>
> I'm actually surprised how long they held.  It shouldn't have taken
> *nearly* that much pulling to get the car free.
>
> --
>
> David Brodbeck, N8SRE
> '82 VW Diesel Westfalia
> '86 Volvo 240DL wagon
>
>