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nickgiles101 Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2016 Posts: 12 Location: Anchorage, AK
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Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 3:12 pm Post subject: Westfalia trailer hitch conversion |
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My wife and I just bought an 82' Westfalia with a 1.9L diesel engine. It came with a hitch but not a receiver. We would like to use our Curt basket cargo carrier for extra storage. Is there a conversion kit, an easy modification or new hitch set-up that will work? GoWesty has a receiver hitch set up but it will not work on a diesel. Thought and wisdom please!
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 3:23 pm Post subject: Re: Westfalia trailer hitch conversion |
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We need to see what kind of hitch you have. I converted a regular ball hitch over to a 1.25" receiver hitch. If it attaches to the tow hooks, then I don't recommend that approach _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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nickgiles101 Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2016 Posts: 12 Location: Anchorage, AK
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Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 4:16 pm Post subject: Re: Westfalia trailer hitch conversion |
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This is the hitch we have now.
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davevickery Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005 Posts: 2887 Location: Fort Collins, CO
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: Westfalia trailer hitch conversion |
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I definitely don't recommend that type of tow hook style of hitch to be used with vertical loads _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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fxr Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014 Posts: 2325 Location: Bay area CA
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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: Sat Mar 12, 2016 6:25 pm Post subject: Re: Westfalia trailer hitch conversion |
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We have a Burley and use it to carry a cargo tray. It's solid, well built and easy to install.
Geoff
Waiheke Island
New Zealand
88 Westy. _________________ 88 Westy, '07 EJ25 Vanaru.
Either van-less on Waiheke Island in New Zealand where we spend the Southern summer, or Wolfram is in Seattle/Olympia in storage. |
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highsierra Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2011 Posts: 269
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Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: Westfalia trailer hitch conversion |
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I also recommend a Burley hitch
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walkingupstream Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2015 Posts: 17 Location: Arlington, Va
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Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 6:47 pm Post subject: Re: Westfalia trailer hitch conversionlly |
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Hi. I've been seeking advice on a hitch for my van as well.
10 minutes ago I just bought the bullet on a Burley Motorsports hitch.
I really just want to be able to use my 3 bike rack, but the center mount on the GoWesty won't work with my Subie conversion (and your diesel too, I think) and folks tell me there's a bit of sway and instability without that center mount.
I could have saved an extra $250 and tried the GoWesty or done something like you're trying to do, but in the end I figure the extra $250 is worth the security of a stout hitch with the benefit of being able to tow whatever I might want to tow in the future. This, and the fact that the Burley hitch sits a bit higher and will avert the potential clearance issue on my sloped driveway entry.
Hope this helps.
Cass |
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highsierra Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2011 Posts: 269
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Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: Westfalia trailer hitch conversion |
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Depending on how much weight you plan to carry you may want to consider air shocks. They were just the ticket for me carrying a 300 lb dirtbike.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=407359
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