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nacradriver
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2009
Posts: 760
Location: Ventura, CA
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 Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 12:11 pm Post subject: Go Westy Hitch Question |
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Anyone installed the GoWesty bolt on VANO-HITCH... Got around to doing mine this morning and the support that comes off the engine support bar doesn't seem to want to line up with the hitch... Any recommendations that can help me get this job done today?
Image here:
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=2582&category_id=275&category_parent_id=
My last hitch didn't have this part and I am wondering if I even need it...
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Güdrun -1989 Westfalia - 2013 - 2018
Petra - 1985 Vanagon - 1985 to 1991
Zisa - 1974 VW Van "Bus" - 1974 to 1985 |
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goffoz
Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2007
Posts: 1486
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| Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 5:02 pm Post subject: Re: Go Westy Hitch Question |
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| nacradriver wrote: |
| Anyone installed the GoWesty bolt on VANO-HITCH... Got around to doing mine this morning and the support that comes off the engine support bar doesn't seem to want to line up with the hitch... Any recommendations that can help me get this job done today? |
I've fixed 2 of these for friends, they don't line up out of the box, you can slot the holes or better, you can bend the brace just a little..a press and "V" blocks makes it look factory.email GW and let them know...they can be very helpful.
| nacradriver wrote: |
My last hitch didn't have this part and I am wondering if I even need it... |
Its all about the tow weight, small trailer, should be fine with out it
... bike rack, maybe a strap to the top of the hatch, for security |
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0to60in6min
Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2006
Posts: 3416
Location: OR & CA (Oregon/California)
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| Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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I have the VC Vano hitch on my Carat... installed with no problem... very easy to install..
please note they gave extra parts for Syncro... and you're not supposed to use it on a 2WD van |
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Altoona
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2011
Posts: 504
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| Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Leave all connections loose and then tighten it all down when the fasteners are started. |
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tomkat73
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2011
Posts: 124
Location: White Salmon, WA
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| Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 10:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Altoona wrote: |
| Leave all connections loose and then tighten it all down when the fasteners are started. |
Yeah....what Altoona said worked on my Syncro Westy.
Hardest part for me was getting the engine support bar nuts/bolts started....really, REALLY tight space to work in. 1" spacer under receiver compensates for lower Syncro engine mount/higher Syncro stance. I have the stock '90 "Fiberglass" bumpers.
Please heed GW's warning about 'older' 2" receiver Bike racks and accessories. I made the mistake of inserting a 1 1/4" adapter sleeve into the GW 2" receiver in order to use an existing 1 1/4" draw bar. Will now need to drop the hitch to pound the adapter out of the receiver (if possible) and remount the hitch. Ugh!
Good thing I have a 1 1/4" fold down bike rack....though I'd prefer to use my 2" swing away....
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Tom
90 Bordeaux (Wine Wagon) Syncro Westy
87 Flash Silver (Silver Slug) Syncro Westy (1996-2011)
86 Bronze Beige Metallic Westy (Tourist Delivery - 1996) |
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dixoncj
Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2004
Posts: 1083
Location: Charleston, SC
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| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:42 am Post subject: |
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| Altoona wrote: |
| Leave all connections loose and then tighten it all down when the fasteners are started. |
I have this hitch on my Westy.
The above is what you need to do.
If you're hauling bikes or a heavy load, you definitely need that bar. If you're hauling a lightweight trailer, maybe not.
The bar can add some vibrations to your car because it transmits some vibe from the engine to your frame. I'm also nervous about the bar if I get rear-ended because it's gonna trash my motor mount. But it's a tradeoff - and I always haul bikes on my hitch, so I definitely use the bar. |
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Kolobok
Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2013
Posts: 31
Location: Toronto, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 8:55 am Post subject: |
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Using mine for a platform bike rack. No problems installing, just leave everything loose, like stated above, and maybe put some pressure on the mount to get the holes lined up, and voila! Haven't had to re-tighten mine at all. Solid, solid hitch.
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'84 GL Passenger - SOLD  |
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Westified
Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2012
Posts: 402
Location: Miami, FL
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| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 9:01 am Post subject: |
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I have this hitch. I had to leave all bolts loose at first then tighten. I did experience vibration throughout the vehicle when I used the bar to the motor mount. I subsequently removed this bar.
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1984 Westy Wolfsburg, owned since 1987. FAS 2.0 NA engine conversion in 2022. |
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dixoncj
Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2004
Posts: 1083
Location: Charleston, SC
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| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 9:04 am Post subject: |
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| Westified wrote: |
| I have this hitch. I had to leave all bolts loose at first then tighten. I did experience vibration throughout the vehicle when I used the bar to the motor mount. I subsequently removed this bar. |
I've been thinking that to cancel some vibrations, I might take a pair of skateboard truck bushings and some washers and a longer bolt. Put one bushing between the bar and the hitch and one - held in by a washer, between the bolt and the bar. This would isolate the bar - to a degree - almost like a motor mount bushing. If I do, I'll report back. |
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furrylittleotter
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2008
Posts: 1506
Location: West Seattle
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| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 9:31 am Post subject: |
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| tomkat73 wrote: |
| Will now need to drop the hitch to pound the adapter out of the receiver (if possible) and remount the hitch. Ugh!. |
Try a slide hammer instead.
Neil2 |
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Westified
Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2012
Posts: 402
Location: Miami, FL
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| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 9:33 am Post subject: |
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| dixoncj wrote: |
| Westified wrote: |
| I have this hitch. I had to leave all bolts loose at first then tighten. I did experience vibration throughout the vehicle when I used the bar to the motor mount. I subsequently removed this bar. |
I've been thinking that to cancel some vibrations, I might take a pair of skateboard truck bushings and some washers and a longer bolt. Put one bushing between the bar and the hitch and one - held in by a washer, between the bolt and the bar. This would isolate the bar - to a degree - almost like a motor mount bushing. If I do, I'll report back. |
I was thinking of using some rubber washers. Let us know if your option works.
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1984 Westy Wolfsburg, owned since 1987. FAS 2.0 NA engine conversion in 2022. |
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tomkat73
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2011
Posts: 124
Location: White Salmon, WA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:47 am Post subject: |
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| furrylittleotter wrote: |
Try a slide hammer instead.
Neil2 |
FLO - Brilliant! I'm an idiot....:0)
_________________
Tom
90 Bordeaux (Wine Wagon) Syncro Westy
87 Flash Silver (Silver Slug) Syncro Westy (1996-2011)
86 Bronze Beige Metallic Westy (Tourist Delivery - 1996) |
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furrylittleotter
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2008
Posts: 1506
Location: West Seattle
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| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 11:14 am Post subject: |
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| tomkat73 wrote: |
FLO - Brilliant! I'm an idiot....:0) |
We all have our moments...  |
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campism
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007
Posts: 4487
Location: Richmond VA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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| tomkat73 wrote: |
| Please heed GW's warning about 'older' 2" receiver Bike racks and accessories. I made the mistake of inserting a 1 1/4" adapter sleeve into the GW 2" receiver in order to use an existing 1 1/4" draw bar. Will now need to drop the hitch to pound the adapter out of the receiver (if possible) and remount the hitch. Ugh! |
If the hitch insert is stuck into the receiver part, can't you just hook the ball/adaptor part to something stationary and drive away from it, pulling the insert out? The object may need to be seriously stationary.
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16494
Location: Brookeville, MD
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