>I have always wondered just how durable the welds are on the tow loops
>these kind of hitches bolt to.

I've seen a few vans with broken off tow loops.  The metal loops fractured,
at the welds the welds did not fail.
I don't know how it happened though or whether it was towing related.
Anybody know of a case where a tow loop mounted hitch failed?  I've heard
3rd hand of a couple cases.....

Gary Lee
Calgary, Canada
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/vw.htm