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Subject:Towing a trailer
From:Bill Urban
Date:Fri, 2 Oct 1998 22:48:50 -0500

Hello everybody.

I've only owned my van for a couple of months now and I think it is a
very decent vehicle that is fun to drive. While this is my first van it
is my third VW, the others being bugs.

My questions are about towing. Is towing to be avoided at all costs?
What is the maximum weight of load that can be towed without damaging
the van or making it accelerate like a slug?  Are there any
modifications (tranny cooler,oil cooler,etc.) that are recommended?
Busboys sells a hitch - is it a good one?

My van is a 1991 Carat with a 2.1 (98000mi.) and an automatic trans. and
A/C. I mainly want to tow a boat trailer of some kind  such as a jetski,
canoe, paddleboat, or a small ski boat. I currently tow my 17ft. skiboat
with my old '75 IHC  Scout  but since the vanagon has the back seat that
makes a bed it sure would be nice to be able to camp and tow with it
even if it meant a smaller water toy.

I tried the archives but the system did not respond to my search
commands. Any helpful advice would be appreciated.

Later,

Bill Urban
Kansas
'91 Carat