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Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:01 pm

Looking for a good hitch for my 71 camper. Would like to buy one or find plans for one I could weld up. Thanks Greg

Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:32 pm

SHAAAZAM!!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=458811

Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:34 pm

Man, I wish it were that easy to find a hitch for my 73!

Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:36 pm

dreadnotmusic wrote: Man, I wish it were that easy to find a hitch for my 73!

I know. but i have seen some light hitches on the later bumpers.

but really, i cant think of anything i really want to tow with my bus

Mon Sep 22, 2008 12:45 am

dreadnotmusic wrote: Man, I wish it were that easy to find a hitch for my 73!

http://www.globalserve.net/~jrivers/latebayhitch.htm

Mon Sep 22, 2008 12:57 pm

Quote: http://www.globalserve.net/~jrivers/latebayhitch.htm

I bought one of these out of the classifieds hoping it would fit my '72 and it didn't, luckily I found a '72 hitch in the classifieds, and then bought a '77 camper. So now all of my buses have hitches.

So if you're running with a '72 exchanger & exhaust set up the muffler will probably be in the way.

Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:38 am

I don't have any advice for you early bay guys, but I have a Jamie Rivers 2" receiver hitch on my '79 Westy. It works great for pulling my little luggage trailer and even clears the stock muffer. Worth every penny. :)

Later,

Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:45 am

Beware of improvised hitches.
I had one from those places where they install instant home made hitches on any cars, quick and cheap.
It turned out, it damaged my bus.
The only right way is a hitch that bolts at the 4 screws for the bumper.
Other ways is not VW design. Screws that go through hollow beams on the sides is plain stupidity. It will crush the beam.
It will move back and forth, making the holes larger and larger, until the screw heads go through.
Stick to the VW design at the right attachment places.

Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:01 pm

Does anyone actually have one of these: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=458811

If It was welded to the frame, that would make it alot safer then right?

Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:18 am

joe_cool_678 wrote: Does anyone actually have one of these: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=458811

If It was welded to the frame, that would make it alot safer then right?
Welded ! How will you remove the engine, for a clutch job for instance ?
May be you mean: Welded brakets to bolt on the hitch.

My present hitch could tow an Abrams army tank.
It is bolted at the bumper brakets AND has an extension to bolt at the front braket of the gear box.
I use to tow a 1200 lb trailer over long trips like Paris to Stockholm. ( while in the US, Chicago to Lynn Lake )

Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:12 pm

joe_cool_678 wrote: Does anyone actually have one of these: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=458811

If It was welded to the frame, that would make it alot safer then right?

I have one of those and have not had any problems with it loosening up. I would not weld it to the bus as it would make the removal of the engine a lot harder. The 4 bolts screw into threaded holes that are already in the bus. Very safe design as far as i am concerned. I have towed 2 other buses and a small helite camping trailer.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:40 am

Reviving an old thread... I just finish mine. Homemade, simple, sturdy and should do the job for light towing or bicycle rack mount.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 11:56 am

Bugs-Bus wrote: Looking for a good hitch for my 71 camper. Would like to buy one or find plans for one I could weld up. Thanks Greg
Jeremyrockjock's is a great hitch. I bought for my 68, dry fitted it and it will work nicely. I have yet to tow with it, but it is high quality.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:02 pm

I have a Jamie Rivers on my '73. Really just use it for a bike rack. Very well made, but it will not work with an EMPI muffler. Does work with the stock style just fine. 2" receiver.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 7:53 pm

Excellent resurrection! "Jamie Rivers" trailer hitch added to the project list!

Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:33 am

I must admit that buying EMPI muffler is not my greatest move... :roll:

Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:15 am

I got a hitch from jeremyrockjock, http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=458811, for my stock '71 and it was great. The hitch is made from welded heavy gauge steel with good clean welds, he even sends all the mounting hardware. Bolts to the frame rails using the preexisting factory threaded holes. Fit perfectly, with no bending or modification needed, I did need to chase the threaded holes with a tap to clean out the grunge.

I use it to tow a Thule 3' x 3 1/2' trailer for firewood when I go camping maybe 500 lbs. total.

Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:00 am

so whats the price range of a tow hitch on average? i was looking to tow a 14 foot boat behind my bus, possibly my bug too, what kind of tow hitch should i look for? does anyone have some blueprints for one? i can weld, so i would fabricate one if i knew how i should make it....

Thanks