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RPihl Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2015 Posts: 1 Location: United States
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 5:25 pm Post subject: Recommended tow bumper or hitch for 87 Westie? |
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Any recommendations of the best tow bumper or hitch to tow a drift boat with an 87 Westfalia? I'm a new Westie owner and if it matters this has the original engine and manual tranny.
I've seen the GoWesty and the Van Cafe Rocky Mountain HD Bumpers, also the standard hitch to go with OEM bumper. Tow weight is under 1000 lbs, I'd guess maybe 800-900.
It would be nice to be able to also mount a spare tire as in the GoWesty accessory parts but I'd like to ensure the bumper integrity is first priority. If anyone has a custom design that does everything better I'd appreciate hearing of that as well. |
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Wolfram Samba Member
Joined: June 23, 2005 Posts: 184 Location: Waiheke Island/On The Road USA
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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I installed a Burley receiver a few years ago and use it to mount a tray. Haven't towed anything, but if you've got stock, then suspect you want be towing much. Great for the tray and it takes all manner of accessories that use the 2" or smaller receiver mounts, like bike racks.
Easy install on fibreglass bumper 88 Westy.
Geoff
Currently in New Zealand, about to hit Denver to resurrect our Westy. |
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0to60in6min Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2006 Posts: 3416 Location: OR & CA (Oregon/California)
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16501 Location: Brookeville, MD
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j_dirge Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007 Posts: 4641 Location: Twain Harte, CA
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 9:35 am Post subject: |
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I recommend you fill a mug with some good coffee..
Then type "tow hitch" into the search and begin browsing..
There are literally DOZENs of threads on the subject.. from Burley's offering, to RMW, to GWs 2 or 3 versions.. and several custom jobbers.
There are also a couple in the FAQs on the subject, up top.
Once you head is spinning from all the info on tow hitches.. then type in "spare tire carrier" for another round of information overload.
Allsaid.. I am very happy with my Burley stuff.. Not inexpensive.. but is bombproof and has served us well. Has held up without a hitch over 1000s of miles... get it? "hitch?".. hahaha.. I kill myself.
_________________ -89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
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oldhuldy67 Samba Member
Joined: November 25, 2008 Posts: 506 Location: somewhere with a southern exposure
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Hybrid VW Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2014 Posts: 128 Location: Central Oregon
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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I have no experience with the Burley, or towing anything with my RMW twin peaks bumper/hitch yet, but I'm VERY happy with the build and finish quality of my RMW parts (also have the tire carrier). The center section of the rear bumper (that contains the receiver) weighs 44 lbs. That's about three times as much as the stock front AND rear bumpers on your '87, so it's stout
If you're looking to do bumpers, RMW gets my vote, but if you're just looking for the hitch, the Burley looks like a good solution, with a relatively low hit to the wallet relative to a full set of bumpers. |
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