Sorry, it is a 2WD. Trailer brakes would make good sense to me. Seems that I saw on the Zetec conversion site that the limit of the stock tranny is 300 BHP? That seems a bit high to me and maybe I could see 225 BHP and no more than 175 ft./lbs. torque as being the limit that it might take and then only with synthetic and a heavy duty clutch. Any thoughts on that?

David Clarkson

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
To: vanagon <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wed, Mar 28, 2012 5:22 pm
Subject: Re: towing capacity with big brakes and turbo zetec engine

 
 
 
Don's right .. 
trailer brakes would make the whole affair about 75 % better and safer, 
over no trailer brakes. .. 
in terms of braking and braking while cornering. 
 
stress on the trans under load .. 
if you're real nice to it , it might be all right. 
A trans speicialist might chime in. 
 
I don't think it says if this is a 2WD vanagon or a Syncro AWD one. 
some factor there on the trans I'd think. 
 
 
 
On 3/25/2012 6:34 PM, Don Hanson wrote: 
> On Sun, Mar 25, 2012 at 5:44 PM, David Clarkson<dvdclarksn@aol.com>  wrote: 
> 
>>   Does anyone out there know what the towing capacity is for a turbo zetec 
>> engine(I think about 180 BHP/ not sure of torque but probably slightly 
>> less) westy outfitted with bigger front disc and rear disc brakes assuming 
>> suspension is in good shape (I have HD Bilstein and getting new progressive 
>> springs). Just thinking about future plans that might involve towing. Could 
>> this setup tow 1500-1800 lbs( Harley on a light trailer or two medium size 
>> 4 wheelers) assuming safe speeds and braking and no extreme hills? Is this 
>> only possible with a Subi 3.3 and upgraded trans/axles? Thanks list. 
>> 
>> David Clarkson 
>> 
>    I think you might want brakes on the trailer, too.   I've towed all kinds 
> of loads with various rigs and once the towed load gets up there in 
> comparison to the weight of the tow vehicle...the load really 'pushes' the 
> tow vehicle during slow down maneuvers.   With some simple electric brakes 
> and the controller properly adjusted, you'd be much happier and safer.  I 
> recently pulled a 10' Wells Cargo utility trailer with my wife's Subaru 
> Forester...While the load was OK (about 1200lbs, I guestimate) with the 
> power, under braking, especially when cornering, it was pretty 
> sketchy...brakes on the trailer would have eliminated the tendency of the 
> load to push the rear end around... 
> 
>    Somebody will certainly chime in on the reasons you can't do it, I bet. 
> I guess you could, the key word is guess, if you drove with care. 
>    Don Hanson 
>