Actually I think it was a 3000lb trailer.  But I colud be off on that, only John Rodgers knows for sure as it was his question.

Mark in AK  -  TGIF

----- Original Message -----
From: Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM>
Date: Friday, March 31, 2006 2:46 pm
Subject: Re: SOURCE OF HITCHES
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> I think this thread is losing it's way.  I believe it started with
> someonelooking for a hitch to pull a 300lb trailer, and although I
> think it's
> obvious that Dennis' hitch is far stronger than the tow-loop
> hitch, the less
> expensive tow-loop hitch will definitely suffice for this need.
>
> Happy Friday,
>
> Jeff
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Dennis Haynes
> Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 3:08 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: SOURCE OF HITCHES
>
>
> Actually, it means that Jamie's hitch does not provide the needed
> support to the frame to account for that load. I have towed
> Vanagons on
> tow loop mounted hitches. I have also broken the tow loops
> carrying a
> luggage rack. The real advantage of my hitch is the replacement of the
> bumper brackets with the three bolt extended mounting. BTW towing an
> un-braked load in Canada can get you into a lot of trouble. In RV
> forums, it is common discussion of folks getting caught with motor
> homespulling cars that do not have auxiliary brakes. Heavy fines and
> impounding seems to be the consequences.
>
>
> A few of my hitches have been tested by getting rear ended. The
> Vanagonshave been saved and some of the offenders sometimes
> totaled. They have
> bent, but not broken and the frame mounting has spread out the load
> saving the rails.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> BehalfOf Greg Potts
> Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 5:42 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: SOURCE OF HITCHES
>
> Hi Mark,
>
> My family has successfully and safely towed a 5000 lb baywindow bus
> with a Jamie Rivers hitch. Those tow loops are pretty near
> indestructible  and the hitch is quite beefy.... Frank Condelli has
> told me he has seen a recovered westy where the frame bent before the
> tow loops did.  Does that mean that Jamie's hitches are stronger than
> Dennis's?  Hmmmm.
>
> We should find a pair of testosterone-laden syncronauts and a couple
> of stumps and settle this outside. Perhaps a spectator event for
> EveryBus or Synchro de Mayo??
>
> Happy trails,
>
> Greg Potts
> Toronto, Ontario, Canada
>
> 1973/74/79 Westfakia Conversion **Bob the Tomato**  LY3H
> 1977 Sunroof Automatic L63H/L90D
> http://www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia
> http://www.busesofthecorn.com
>
>
>
>
> On 31-Mar-06, at 4:37 PM, Mark Tuovinen wrote:
>
> > Anthony,
> >
> > The link and info is great, but as I see it these are mounted to
> > the tie down loops and therefore not as good as the hitch that list
> > member Dennis Haynes offers.  Dennis' hitch mounts securely to the
> > frame with with three bolts per side and plate steel, they do
> > require minor bumper modification, at least for chrome bumpers, but
> > this takes only a few minutes and you  end up with a very stout
> > hitch that fits nicely, installs easily, and will tow anything that
> > you would sanely want behind your van.
> >
> > Mark in AK
>