Proper tongue weight on any trailer is important.
The very very worst thing is negative tongue weight, that yields a horribly
unstable towing set up.  I think it's unlikely you get really light or
negative tongue weight with the vanagon on facing forward though. Just move
it all the way forward.
It is an aluminum engine after all, and pretty 50/50ish weight distribution
in a vanagon anyway.
I also personally believe that psychically , it's very important to keep
things moving forward in their natural way. I would never carry skis on the
roof, or a kayak facing backwards.  A spiritual thing you know.
I think you can put it on facing forward just fine, just put it well
forward. 
Scott
www.turbovans.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of B
Monk
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 11:38 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Towing a vanagon on a trailer

I am going to pick up a vanagon this weekend in Maryland. I have towed
Vanagons before on
  a trailer ,but I am curious about something. Most cars I have towed I
pulled them on with the
  motor up front. This is a dual axle trailer with ample payload and full
size truck to pull it.
  Should I back this Vanagon on so the motor is up front on the trailer?
Think it would make
  the trailer handle better that way?

  Bill