Back End Baskets vs Roof Top Carriers vs Utility Trailers

[DAIZEE]

I'm looking for comparison here. Ultimately I need to make the decision. Top Rack hard for me to handle up and down items., have trailer hitch but I'm starting to think that towing may not be good for me. On my 4000 mile trip I saw lots of back end platforms. I like them but my present trailer hitch set up can not be altered to a square female which the platforms need.

Neeed to hear some talk on the subject which will ultimately perhaps help me make my decision.

I sorta like the platform. One would just have to remember that the back end is farther than you think it is.

I'd like something to carry my electric bike (heavy) BBQ, hoses, etc.....

Come on fellows/gals give me your experiences and/or opinions/suggestions.
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[j8]

Hmmm. How much weight are you really talking about with the bike/bbq? The Vanagon backend is pretty heavy with the engine, and the hitch - even the ones that are bolted in deep, not just on the loops - can't hack too much weight. For cargo platform you'd want something stable that could handle that pressure. Even if it does, you'll experience different handling for better or worse. Have you seen the Gary Lee racks? Depending on your needs (the electric bike - is it a pedal bike w/elec or more like a scooter?) you might be able to run with one of these.

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/rack/vanagonrack.htm

Some folks seem to love their trailers, I (personally) love not having one in tow. We don't carry much, so I'm of little real help. Sorry
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Julia
'89 2WD Westy (No end to names...)

[DAIZEE]

that helps. I'm looking for opinions and advice.. I'm in a steep learning curve. Its an electric bike with a heavy long battery. Did not get the scooter (even tho I liked it) because it is too bulky and hard to store and carry. Will look at your link.

I'm wondering if adding a bar up to the front end underneath is feasible and if would give more even distribution and safety factor.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[RCB]

[j8]

Hope you get some better info. Some folks love the storage boxes on the top.

Gary's got a front mount/carrier for bikes, that might be a good deal to balance out. I don't have his stuff, but everyone who buys from him raves FWIW. Those electric bikes are pretty nifty!

Out of curiosity, have you checked out RoadHaus?http://www.roadhaus.com/ Larry decked his Westy in ways that might interest you.
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Julia
'89 2WD Westy (No end to names...)

[Timwhy]

I have a reese trailer hitch and a 6" raiser for my hitch haul. The thing works as promised but I don't load it down with heavy stuff. Just my general camping gear, the usual stuff firewood, grill, tote of camping crap. You get the picture. The Hitch Haul does come in different sizes and I've seen the cargo box on a reese hitch but that was expensive.
The 6" raiser was so the hitch haul won't drag on the ground going up slight inclines. If you are going to a reese hitch there's over $200+ and the hitch haul maybe close to another $100, a raiser can be alot too. I bought mine from an ebayer for $30, cheap in my mind when I was quoted $100 for new?

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'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[DAIZEE]

I'm thinking a platform that is really close to the back. When I did my 4000 mile break down cruise I had way too much on the inside floor of my van and I just don't want that any more. I want to be able to walk around and I have a little 10 lb dog and she needs space also.

I would think that the further a platform with only one point was from the van the more difficult it would be and increase the load. Close to the van I'd think is more solid and safer for me to drive I think but I don't really know.

I'm asking for everyone to input. I don't have to do this right away but I'd like to learn about my options.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[Emeritusx]

I prefer a small trailer. You can take 'em off once you get to your destination, be it a campground or show or whatever. Lower to the ground, easy to load. There are some pretty light small utility trailers out there. Almost feel like they are not there.
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82 Westy ☢, 66 Splitty ☮, 73 Type 181 ✠

[J Charlton]

I'm thinking that a custom bumper with a couple of 2" receiver sleeves and a narrow platform with a couple of 2" receivers that slid in ... just wide enough to accomodate the bike. There could be a ramp that could attach to the end of it to wheel the bike up if it was too heavy to lift.
Couple this with a good rear hatch rack and the bike and storage problem would be solved.
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NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 1 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 4 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2024

[DAIZEE]

Mine is a little Reese Trailer too. Its not too bi I think it was used for towing behind a motorcycle , I think it is somewhat aerodynamic, the heaviest thing would be the bike. I'd just like to have someplace else to stow hoses, electrical cords, propane, lawn chair and little itsby bitsy stuff I don't need in the van while travelling. But again I am feeling nervous about towing a trailer since reading someone else's post of what can happen.

I'm trying to upload pictures but having problems. It matches my van colors.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[J Charlton]

Trailers are great when you have to use them. I have about 5 of them, from utility trailers, boat trailers, ATV trailer, 2 flat beds - nothing beats them for when stuff is too big or messy or whatever to fit into a vehicle. Having said that, they are all always a PITA. From wheels and tires to bearings to licenses to constantly farting around with the lights the list goes on and on. Its a true love hate relationship. I think on an extended trip with a westy I would avoid pulling a trailer if at all possible. Backing a trailer up is a bit of an art - I've been doing it for over 50 years and I can park a trailer on a dime as long as I can see it either out of the back of the vehicle or in the side mirrors - I'd have a real problem with a small trailer behind a westy.
"Geez officer - the lights were working when I hooked up and tested them ..... "
_________________
NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 1 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 4 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2024

[singler3360]

What about the rear hatch rack in the Gary Lee link posted previously,
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/rack/vanagonrack.htm, combined with the front hitch unit he also sells? Hatch rack to carry a tote with all those odds/ends to free up the space for the dog-friend and the front hitch for the electric bike. Does this seem optimum for your setup? (Albeit kind of spendy).

[SteveVanB]

These look pretty cool and practical.
http://www.hdtrailer.fix.net/
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91 CARAT

[Classicvibe]

This is a little off subject I think, but, everyone in my group of friends has sold their trailers. These were all camping trailers, pop-ups, but it only took traveling with me once, then they would see that the "tow-life" is not all they thought it would be. They were always fussing with things. That is the beauty of the westy pop-top, you can go anywhere, get around easily in tight places, pull over and pop open your camp. Anyway, I think you lose some important Vanagon traits when you have something in tow.

As for things on the floor, I built a rack system that I totally love. It is spacious, looks good, solid mounts, and holds a ton of crap. it is also very easily removable. I will go out and snap a shot here when I am done. It is a pain to get things in and out of it however. I have to stand on the wheel, and even then, @ 6.1, I can only reach like 1/2 the stuff in the rack portion. The other side is a box and it is mostly accessible. But I built it knowing that I wanted the interior open and clean, and I have only used it skiing, but I love getting all the stuff out of the interior.
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On a mission, the destination is just an excuse.

Syncro Solstice 2022...see you there!

1986.5 Wolfsburg Syncro Westfalia Poptop Weekender Transporter

[DAIZEE]

Yes please post picture. I see you can get a stand on the ground lite ladder for reaching the top. I'm giving serious rethinking to my roof top carrier bag. It 'might' be the best thing to get things you don't need while tripping out of the van. And get a bike carrier. mmmmm sooooo much to think about.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[greggearhead]

SUbscribed.
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1972 Porsche 911E Hot Rod (3.4 Turbo)
1973 VW 412
1979 Audi Fox GTI
2002 Eurovan

Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

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http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[Classicvibe]

I just posted here pix and info here:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4375062#4375062

A different and good thread is rolling dedicated to showing different rack set ups. Have a look and let me know what you think.[/url]
_________________
On a mission, the destination is just an excuse.

Syncro Solstice 2022...see you there!

1986.5 Wolfsburg Syncro Westfalia Poptop Weekender Transporter

[vspecter]

It's maybe not exactely what you need but that works for me.

[DAIZEE]

Yes that is something that I'm thinking of. Can you put a pic in without the container? or is it fixed? Can the platform be folded up? Could a bike carrier be added?
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[buildyourown]

Just a quick reply as I am at work.

The roof rack is out since you already mentioned how hard the top is to handle for you. It's hard for me with a rack and I'm 30 yo, 6+ ft tall, and I use a ladder to load....And I have the helper shocks.

With a PROPER hitch, the back end can handle the weight. I have a GW bumper with hitch and regulary load 2 DH bikes on a heavy rack, then drive rough dirt roads. Think 120# of bike and rack. The van handles fine with the stock suspension.
Buy a proper 2" hitch and rock the platform.


I work with a guy who has a steel truck tool box on his platform. It's a daily driver too.