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Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 01, 2018 4:07 am    Post subject: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

I am planning way ahead into the future.

I know we will use this Ghia (when finished) for weekend trips out to Pennsylvania (100 miles one way).
There is zero freeway travel, all State, County or Local roads, over the Delaware River on a historic Roebling Suspension Bridge even an old one lane Wooden Covered Bridge as we get near. Top speed? 45 MPH.

Right now we take either the Prius with a rear square 1 1/4" receiver luggage rack (50+ mpg's), or we take the Vanagon, (15 mpg's), or we take the Ford F-150 (11 mpg's).
We most often take the Prius! Surprised

Between the dog (Golden Retriever, the back seat is his..... and his alone! ...... period!), the crap we lug out and the crap we lug home (usually much less but includes the weekends trash(illegal interstate transport of household waste) we will need a bit more space than just what behind the seat and the front trunk provide.

A very small trailer, motorcycle like, will be perfect.

A hitch is not currently sold Stateside that I can locate.

Curt sells an 11652 but that is for newer big bumper units.

http://www.curtmfg.com/part/11652


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I'm on the hunt for a hitch.

I'll probably need to build my own but sadly all the photos here were hosted on PhotoBucket.

Does anyone have photos of their hitch and how it mounts that they could share?


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Thanks!

Dave
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Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert


Last edited by djkeev on Sun Apr 01, 2018 6:46 am; edited 6 times in total
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 01, 2018 4:09 am    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

I stumbled across this information in the Beetle Forums.

I understand the Ghia hitch would be a tad shorter???

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=658986&highlight=trailer+hitch

Also found these photos


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Dave
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Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert


Last edited by djkeev on Sun Apr 01, 2018 6:09 am; edited 2 times in total
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 01, 2018 4:24 am    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

More images.......

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Bruce wrote:
The ones sold by VWoA attached to the rear ends of the frame horns to provide forward pulling. It also hung from the bumper brackets under the fenders. Finally, it attached to the underside of the bumper to support the tongue weight.

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dougnlina wrote:
So I picked up the car with the trailer hitch. It is not particularly impressive and I would think it would be less expensive for you to have a local welder make you something similar than to pay for the shipping *(my assumption is you are in Sweden). It is basically a Y shaped bracket that uses U-Bolts to attach to the rear suspension torsion tubes and then goes aft and is welded to stock hitch bracket that has a third U-Bolt that then holds it through two holes drilled into the rear bumper. If you are still interested, it weighs about 30 Lbs and would be coming from Zipcode 94070 in the USA. see attached photos
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Dave
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Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 01, 2018 5:14 am    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

I'll be keeping my eyes open but I'm thinking that maybe this Curtis 11652 hitch with some modifications to the ball tongue to accept a 1 1/4" receiver and a strengthening bar in the bumper (or possibly better..... VW's bumper mount to bumper mount concept) might just be the easist way to go.........

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VW's hitch that fastens to bumper mount bolts.......

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Dave
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

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rbsurfguy
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 6:20 am    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

Funny you bringing this topic up, I have never seen one of these tow bars for air coolers. 20+ years ago when I was moving to DC area from California, I wanted to drive my Ghia across the country, but also needed to haul a number of personal items. My dad welded a flat iron bar across and behind the rear bumper, to the bumper brackets, we bolted a trailer hitch/ball to this, and then, try to suppress the gasp, tapped a couple holes into the lower blade of the bumper to secure the hitch/ball. Yes, blasphemy I know, but at the time I didn't realize how valuable Ghia bumpers would become.

Anyway, I hooked up a small trailer, with license plate obtained in California, and off I went. I had no problem pulling it, except for a few windy areas in Arizona and New Mexico. I actually got stopped in Arizona by a trooper who caught me passing a semi moving too slowly. After we talked, he said the main reason he stopped me was because he didn't think the trailer was rated to be towed above 55 MPH because of the tire size. Told me just to watch my speed and have a nice day

Just this last weekend, I had to cut that bar off the bumper brackets because I needed the bracket covers, That bar was still strongly welded after all these years. Wish I would have known an actual trailer hitch was available. I was just surprised my 1776 motor was able to cross the US Southwest in the middle of summer all the way to DC, 3 1/2 days with no problems overheating or any engine trouble along the way! I probably have some hard copy photos I will try to find and post.

Jeff
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 9:02 am    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

Some pages from the 1969 owners manual.
I do have the Auto stick transmission.
My towing setup will be so light, I've no worries.

Dave

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Dave
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

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djkeev
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 9:15 am    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

The more I look at what hitches are available used..... and their location which makes shipping crazy expensive, the more I like that Curt hitch and modify it to fit my 69 and weld a $20 1 1/4" receiver tube onto the ball support.

I want the square receiver for versatility, hitch, bike rack, basket, whatever......

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I'm also looking at an engine lid rack for smaller oversize problems.

Dave
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

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Figment
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 10:44 am    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

DJkeev, my thoughts exactly.

Versatility is one thing, but for me the primary virtue is REMOVABILITY. The hitch is there when you need it, and gone when you don't.
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 12:46 pm    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

Some rough thoughts and drawings of the Curt 11652 hitch.......

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Dave
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

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Figment
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:06 am    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

Ok, but then reinstall or otherwise reconstitute the safety chain loops. Those are there for a reason.
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:08 am    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

Figment wrote:
Ok, but then reinstall or otherwise reconstitute the safety chain loops. Those are there for a reason.


Absolutely! ^^^

Dave
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

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djkeev
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:36 am    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

Yeah........ I decided to go with the Curt newer Beetle hitch and modify it.

Why get items now when I don't have a running Ghia yet?
Because I've found that items simply VANISH from the market when dealing with classic cars.
Once they are gone..... it is gone. I've missed out on a few things over the years because I delayed.

Anyway, the 1 1/4" bare metal Receiver tube came in.

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Waiting for the hitch from Northern Tool.

Dave
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Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert


Last edited by djkeev on Thu Apr 05, 2018 3:27 am; edited 1 time in total
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KGCoupe
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 10:06 am    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

Nice!

It totally makes good sense to buy both those parts you need now, and those parts you will want later when your Ghia is complete and running.

Best case, viewing your stash of all the extra little goodies you've collected for future use will provide any needed motivation/inspiration should your project ever bog down and your interest in completing it wane.




Worst case, you'll have a thoroughly complete set of unused parts in boxes to pass long to whomever ultimately buys your unfinshed Ghia project.

Wink
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 3:05 pm    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

... go old-school on the trailer.

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. Laughing

bnc
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 05, 2018 7:18 pm    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

My Curt hitch showed up today.

Need to test fit it and see how it needs to be modified to fit my 69 Ghia.

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Dave
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

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djkeev
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 06, 2018 3:41 am    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

Test fit may be delayed.
The forecast calls for snow, rain, freezing rain even into next week!

Dave
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

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djkeev
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 06, 2018 3:15 pm    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

The snow stopped, the clouds parted and the Sun shone forth!

I hauled my hitch and a hydraulic jack out to the Ghia to see how much modifican needs to happen.

It basically fit. It is designed for the big bumpered Beetles so the rise of the hitch tongue is excessive for my scrawny 69 Ghia bumper.

It may fit just fine on a 72 or newer Ghia?

Anyway, if I cut the rise and utilize the 1 1/4" Receiver along with the modified tongue, it should work just fine......

Pictures are coming, thesamba is being "fussy" right now.

This was a home run purchase..... So much easier than starting from scratch!

Dave
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

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djkeev
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 6:49 am    Post subject: Re: Trailer Hitch...... for Ghia to tow a trailer Reply with quote

Finally got my photos uploaded......

Here is the hitch mounted to the rear frame horns and held up with a jack at the rear.
Notice how high the ball tongue rises?
That is to meet the bottom of the Beetle's big post 68 bumpers.

It is too high for my 69 Ghia blade bumper.

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I plan to cut off the tongue on the vertical rise and shorten it enough to be able to reweld it onto the remaining hitch and create a rectangle, the 1 1/4" receiver tube will be welded on top of the tongue and chain loops welded on too.

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I think this will work just fine.

I will use VW's method and run a support bar from bumper bolt to bumper bolt to hold up the tongue.
It will not be fastened to the bumper in any way.

Hope this helps. Sadly I won't finish modifying or welding this hitch for a year or better.
If someone was to go first ahead of me and post what they do ...... that would be great!

Anyone see any problems with this redesign?

Dave
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Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert
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