Helmut,

There are several factors that affect "tow rating".  Things like radiator
capacity, transmission, gear box design, rear end design, frame strength,
hitch strength, braking, etc.   VW had something like a 1300 lb max tow
rating, if I recall correctly, on the vanagon.  You can put a stronger hitch
on, but it won't increase the tow rating.

I have one of the GoWesty mounts that go on the stock bracket mounts.  The
hitch itself is VERY strong with a 2" receiver -- would easily get a 5000+
lb tow rating (class III-IV) if installed on another vehicle.  The tow hook
mount arrangement looks pretty strong too plus the GoWesty hitch has a third
connection in the center of the hitch, connected to a crossmember which
keeps it rock solid.  I'm quite impressed. (Just connecting to the tow hooks
alone might sag a bit with enough tongue weight, so it's the right design)

HOWEVER, the engine cooling on the vanagon, the transmission, and the engine
power are clearly the limiting factors.  Having done a lot of towing on
various size vehicles, I wouldn't tow much more than about 1000 lbs with the
vanagon.  (OK, maybe 1300 lbs on the flats for a short distance!)  There
will be others that will claim they have towed way more, but I believe in
being safe and being realistic.  Around where I live (mountains), we never
tow more than about 80% of the tow vehicle rating and even less on a vehicle
with little torque.

That all said, my bike rack has never been so solid, and I tow a light open
trailer for Kayaks, bikes, and windsurfers.  Check carefully the weight of
your trailer and cargo if going bigger.

--Rich

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-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
Helmut Blong
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 7:20 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Hitch install

While I have my rear bumper apart, I'm thinking I might fabricate a
square-receiver hitch. Don't want to do any serious hauling - mostly for a
hitch-mount bicycle carrier and maybe tow a small cargo or boat trailer. I
plan to just span the stock brackets with some square tube and either
project through the bumper or drop below the bumper. I think a
through-bumper install would be slick.

I've seen the tow eye mounted hitches and I think I recall that they are
rated class I for about 1000#. Can anyone tell me if this rating is with the
stock bracket mounts? I was just looking at a photo of a South African hitch
that seems to have much longer brackets and presumably additional mounting
bolts. I don't want to overload the stock brackets but I figure that if the
class I tow eye hitch works, my proposed install should be even sturdier.
Opinions? Knowledge?
cheers,

mordo
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