James,
First I have to say I do like your idea, and having a 2 inch standard
receiver on the back of the vanagon is sweet.
I am also a welder fabricator. Why did you use stainless for the center
tube?
Stainless has far less strength than steel. Stainless nuts and bolts are
grade 2 in hardness.
Also you cannot weld stainless to steel nearly as strong as you can steel to
steel.

I know of no trailer hitches or towing parts that have ever been made out of
stainless.
Its always steel for maximum strength.

Just curious.

Doug

----- Original Message -----
From: "james@icebox500.com" <icebox500@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 2:34 PM
Subject: Tongue Weight, Hauling Stuff, Bicycle Racks, et al.

I think I've posted this before - feel free to check out this custom
solution to the bike rack/rear hitch etc... issues. A buddy and I put
it together
and it has proven to be well worth it.

http://vanagon.icebox500.com/monologues/2005/06/updated-very-cool-bumperhitc
h-mod-got.html

http://vanagon.icebox500.com/monologues/2005/06/air-lift-photos-motorcycle-c
arrier.html

Also... I can't believe people still are replying with all the
>crud
>from
>the
>original
>post
>in
>the
>message
>!

> Coupe