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Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:11 pm

Notes general
Created Thursday 26 August 2010

Here is some pictures of my bus with a Jeremy hitch installed on it.
I was trying for a long time to figure out how to put a hitch on my van but I couldn't see any easy way to do it, and even harder cause I can't weld.
I found the ad for Jeremy's hitch on TheSamba.com and ordered one. I don't use PayPal so I had to "send and pray" my dough in. I didn't have any problems, Jeremy got my dough and made up the hitch and sent it out in about a week. So the guy is solid.

I ordered the hitch with the 2" receiver, not for extra weight, no way, but it seems to be a more universal size in case I am trying to install some odd ball mount in it. I still wont tow anything that would be considered "heavy" I'm figuring on keeping it under 1500 lbs total, trailer & load with a fairly light tong weight, maybe 40 - 60 lbs I'm thinking one of those little
HarborFreight flat bed trailers would be great, or one of the smaller ones.

Looked like Jeremy did a good job of packing the hitch and everything got to me, 2500 miles away, in good condition. I was surprised I even got the ball mount with a pin and clip. Nice extra for a complete package.

I am no expert on this stuff, so this is only my lay persons opinion. Seemed like the hitch was well made, nice snug fit and to me the welds looked nice a smooth. I was already happy with it when I unpacked it. It even comes with all the bolts you need to mount it.

It wasn't to hard to install. Typical dirt, grease and rust to deal with.

Now I have to see how it tows, and add some gauges to monitor the engine temps and other vitals.

comments welcome

Pat Jr.

Thu Aug 26, 2010 8:10 pm

Nice!!!!!!

Fri Aug 27, 2010 2:14 pm

You mean your rear bumper actually comes off? Just kidding, looks awesome!

Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:45 pm

That's a mighty nice towbar you have there!

I'm not familiar with the bumper area of that year. Did you need to drill those holes in the sides?

Here's a drawing I did of my towbar which fits on my '75 model. Shown without tongue bolted on.
There's another hole on the plate behind the crossbar for the tongue.

If anybody says "hey, that's nice and I think I'll start mass producing them!" Please tell me. Mine is damaged and it is the nicest towbar I have ever found. Really heavy duty.

OP, please report your towing results. I've towed an empty car trailer between towns, and a full enclosed box trailer over 1000km. The only thing I can say is make sure your everything is so tight Thor couldn't budge them. Any slop anywhere and it pounds the frame, stretching the holes. :( I still haven't decided how to fix that.

Edit: also not shown are a couple of bars of iron welded together on each side. Over 1" thick, one longer than the other, the extra length protruding from one end. they have matching holes drilled through them. I think they are heavy duty torque spreaders or something. They didn't come with that towbar, but seem to have been from a towbar that was mounted before I bought my bus.

Fri Aug 27, 2010 6:06 pm

Nice hitch! but Iam not so sure about your battery plate. Thats one hell of a dust and dirt leak if I ever seen one.

Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:37 pm

Quote: OP, please report your towing results. I've towed an empty car trailer between towns, and a full enclosed box trailer over 1000km.

I'd like to hear some towing stories too. I've been thinking of 'hitching up' my 74' and towing my bike to the mountains......I wonder if she'll make it????
Bike all day, Westy at night zzzzzz Nothing could be finer!! :wink:

Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:49 pm

Looks great!

It seems my searching capabilities have diminished. Do you have a link or info on how to contact "Jeremy's hitch"?

Thanks!

Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:50 pm

TRN9 wrote: Do you have a link or info on how to contact "Jeremy's hitch"?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=2420

and if you don't know how to click on the ads link in his profile, here's a direct link to the hitch http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=458811

Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:53 pm

Thanks Hazetguy!

Fri Aug 27, 2010 8:29 pm

jnsjr58 wrote: Quote: OP, please report your towing results. I've towed an empty car trailer between towns, and a full enclosed box trailer over 1000km.

I'd like to hear some towing stories too. I've been thinking of 'hitching up' my 74' and towing my bike to the mountains......I wonder if she'll make it????
Bike all day, Westy at night zzzzzz Nothing could be finer!! :wink:

As long as you take it easy you would make it to the mountains just fine. Up them, couldn't say. I have towed that loaded trailer I mentioned up some steepish hills but nothing mountainous so YMMV really.

Sat Aug 28, 2010 6:15 pm

Thanks for the props on my hitches. When I design/build/sell something I try to make it so you don't have to modify original parts of the bus. I also want people to be happy. My reputation is the most important part of my "side business".

Sun Aug 07, 2011 5:30 pm

I'm buying one for my 1971 bus sporting a fresh 1776. my trailer is of a 1969 single cab. Took of the cab and welded on a tongue, removed motor and transaxle and sheeted the engine compartment to make more storage. I'll have pics and results in about 2 weeks when I use it to move from Sacramento to Seattle.

Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:52 am

Wingman, how was your trip?

Pics or it didn't happen!!!

Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:57 am

The install went great, took about 45 minutes only because I had to grind a notch in the angle iron for my exhaust. I made the mistake of having too heavy a trailer to pull. A 69 single cab truck cut to make a trailer. Loaded it up to move from sacrame to CA to seattle WA. 800 miles. I started with a 6 month old zero mile 1776. 2 barrel carb, electric points, reliable, great running motor. My daily driver, had about 5000 miles and a few oil changes on it. Ended up being quite the road trip. Haulled 3 mattress sets the flatscreen and some garage gear. It ended up taking 3 days.

Broke a rear shock mount bolt right off the bat, blew a tire on the trailer in redding, The alternator pulley started grinding into the alternator housing, the pulley center got blown out and caused the alt. nut to seize, shredded the belt, replaces the alt somewhere on the oregen cali border, they didnt have a pulley so i had to reuse the blown out on, they didnt have a pulley nut so I used a wheel bearing, flat washer and a lug nut, it finally went in oakland oregon, I took my wifes Mini off the trailer and drove to Eugene oregon to "Brooks cut rate auto parts" That place is HEAVEN! They saved the day. Friendly people I might add. 3331 Franklin Blvd. Eugene OR. 97403 (541) 7267982. I got a new pulley, 3 belts, a pulley stand off ring and a pulley nut. I installed everything except the pulley nut. I keep the wheel bearing/ lug nut just as a reminder.

After that, we made it.

Mon Feb 13, 2012 10:00 am

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150368426951904.369957.719326903&type=3

Thu Mar 08, 2012 5:38 pm

I ordered mine last week. Got shipped out this Monday. According to FedEx it will be here Saturday. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

Thu Mar 08, 2012 5:58 pm

I ordered mine THIS week. Jeremy says I should have it by the end of next week. I'm taking a road-trip to Boise,ID and back and I'll be towing a trailer on the return trip. I went with the 1.4" receiver since I've got a header on it. I also asked Jeremy if he would mind relocating the safety-chain loops up higher to give me a little bit of extra clearance and he said 'no problem'. I can't wait to see this bad boy!

Anybody got any trailer wiring pics and tips? Go with a 4-flat or a 6-round, or maybe even the newer 7 prong round?

I was also curious about incorporating the terminal into the hitch itself, probably facing downward to keep water from pooling into the opening.

Thoughts?

Sat Mar 17, 2012 11:12 am

I'm gonna install mine this afternoon. I can't 'see' how the splash-guard mounting pieces attach to the new mount. Can you post some pics from 'above' and 'below' so I can see how you lined them up? Thanks!

Sat Mar 17, 2012 12:55 pm

See if these help. I still have not made an assembly drawing :oops:

Sat Mar 17, 2012 1:04 pm