Ben,

I agree - you can tow with your Vanagon but just like towing with any other
vehicle, it will add additional wear & tear on the vehicle and you will be
replacing your $1800 transmission & other driveline parts and brakes more
often. Electric brakes only affect stopping and they only pull part of the
load off your vehicle.

The best solution is an older 6 cylinder Jeep Grand Cherokee like we
discussed earlier. If you are towing to a destination you'll probably be
staying in the sailboat once you get there anyway.

Thanks,
Tom Hargrave
Our Web Sites:
www.kegkits.com
http://www.kegkits.com/JABF/
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www.andyshotsauce.com
256-656-1924

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
Benny boy
Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2009 1:53 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Towing with a T3 Vanagon Was: Benny Boy's sailboat

Hi, the van is heavy and stable enough to tow 2000 pounds, that is no the
problem. The van braking (in my case - no electric brake)system is simply
not enough.
The trany is not design for such a load. Now if my van was a plain and empty
van i would have give it a try. The high fourth gear doesn't help also.

I have towed 1000 pound easily, specially with my engine it's no big deal,
but 2000 is another story.

Is is worthed to damage an 1800$ transmission? wheel bearing, drive axle and
even the engine? I don't think it's safe anyway. I'm renting a big pickup
truck, it's 400$ but i will feel more secure. Not that i have money to
spare.

What kind of bug me is that it's an easy 280 miles flat road.

Chees, Ben