Well, de Villiers, I thank you kindly for the helpful information.

Followup questions? What's an "A arm"? Would I know a "track rod" if I
saw one?

Can someone point me to an illustration in Bentley that might help me
identify these bits that Jake is describing?

(Some may recall that I don't spend much time under the van. Under a car
is the only time I ever feel claustrophobia. I've been in caves, an MRI
machine, tiny tents, and other close spaces with no trouble. It's weird.
Undervanaphobia.)

--
Rocky J Squirrel
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Bend, OR
KG6RCR

Jake de Villiers wrote:
> I do understand Mike.
>
> Many, many years ago I got the company delivery vehicle stuck in three
> different rural ditches on a very dark cold snowy night and it has left
> its mark.
>
> I guess if you see the tow truck kid hooking on to the bendy bits you
> might say something.  The box sections in behind the bumper mounting
> points are pretty sturdy (but not the lower holes, as Scott points out)
> but the track rods might be an easier grab, especially for a hook.
> Those are the big fat steel bars with threads and rubber mounts that
> locate your lower A-arms, one each side.
>
> That's all I've got Elliott.
>
> On Mon, Jul 26, 2010 at 3:58 PM, Mike "Rocket J Squirrel"
> <camping.elliott@gmail.com <mailto:camping.elliott@gmail.com>> wrote:
>
>
>     Jake de Villiers wrote:
>      > There's plenty of large, solidly mounted suspension pieces down
>     there,
>      > but why wouldn't you let the guy with lots of experience pulling
>      > vehicles make that decision?
>
>     Fair question. I think I have decent answers.
>
>     1. Three years ago my 1971 bus broke down. I needed it towed eight
>     blocks to home. The "professional" wrapped his chains around the
>     steering bits, bending them.
>
>     2. Last weekend I got stuck on the shoulder beside the highway when
>     we pulled over to wait for and cheer on the climbers in the Cascade
>     Cycling Classic race for the King of the Mountatain points. Two feet
>     off the road, the soft shoulder got incredibly soft -- a loose
>     cindery duff. (I didn't want to mention that here because I should
>     have learned my lesson a few weeks ago when I got stuck in mud and
>     had to have my son extricate me, I know you understand.) Anyway, the
>     tow truck driver hopped out, ran a cable to the loop under the front
>     bumper -- he went right to it, knew exactly where it was -- and yes,
>     this is the loop everyone says not to use, and he pulled me free.
>
>     Okay, so knowing what I know, exactly how eager should I be to just
>     stand back and let the professionals do their job?
>
>     Your move, de Villiers.
>     --
>     Rocky J Squirrel
>     84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
>     74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
>     Bend, OR
>     KG6RCR
>
>
>
>
> --
> Jake
>
> 1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
> 1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'
>
> Crescent Beach, BC
>
> www.thebassspa.com <http://www.thebassspa.com>
> www.crescentbeachguitar.com <http://www.crescentbeachguitar.com>
> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
>