In a message dated 1/26/06 3:39:46 AM Eastern Standard Time,
vanagon@ASTOUND.NET writes:

> My syncro has 15s with 215/75s so it sits up pretty high.
> The Honda went under my bumper to a large degree.
> In looking at the damage to my van. It looks like the main impact was placed
> square on the SA trailer hitch corner where it enters the frame of the
> vanagon. The blow pretty much exploded my late fiberglass bumper I had on
> the rear of my 87. The hitch seems to not be bent only the tabs for mounting
> the bumper to it were bent.
> It destroyed  bumper and ripped the rear apron and rear fender shirting
> pretty badly.
>

another good reason to install a trailer hitch, even if you dont tow
anything!!
doug..that sucks big time especially since i know how much work you put into
your van, making it a camper, installing the fiberglass bumpers, making the
sliding rear windows (which we were just talking about yesterday!! :<(   etc..
but look at it this way - i could have been alot worse..  i was suprised how
well the van held up.. reading your post then seeing the pics, the damage was
less than i expected...  looks like you'll have to graft a new corner in and
get away with that..looks like the hatch was unscathed?..  the left bumper
endcap looks repairable..  the center bumper section...that's iffy.. i have fixed
bumpers this bad before but its alot of work.
is the other kids insurance company going to pay for the repairs?   if you
need any help w/ the fiberlgass bumper repair, or replacement let me know..

chris