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TheRealSean
Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2014
Posts: 180
Location: Northern California
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 Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 10:48 pm Post subject: |
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| I found one of these 2 inch hitches on Craigslist. It also bolts on to the engine mount. What should I pay for it? Also is there anything wrong with bolting it on to the engine mount along with the engine? |
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tangojeff
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2005
Posts: 209
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| Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:45 pm Post subject: towing w/ a GoWesty bumper |
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| Kinda related: I needed to move Grandma's spinet piano 200 miles last week, so I rented a motorcycle trailer for $14/day. I installed a 2" Reese ball mount (that we found stashed in a "Benz trunk @ P'n'P) into the 2" receiver of my GoWe$ty metal bumper and the trip went "without a hitch". (pardon the pun.) SUBE PWR made it an easy chore. The loops on the GoWesty bumper for the safety chains are an integral part of the mounting brackets to the frame rails and were so far apart that the trailer's safety chains had to be extra long for a sharp turn, so they rode 2" off the roadway. Gotta install another chain mounting system, closer to center. |
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madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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| j_dirge wrote: |
I sold my GW hitch for about half what I paid after several yrs of use. New owner knows its limitations but is pretty happy with it for his needs.
In the end, the GW hitch served its purpose for me, I used the money towards a better hitch (which is not "perfect" either).. |
Following Jim's steps, I did the same two months ago and put the money from the old GW trailer hitch towards the purchase of a Burley hitch for fiberglass bumpers. I still need to find time and energy to install the new trailer hitch.
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3379
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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| tam_shops wrote: |
| I'm not the only one that didn't *get* you should put a 100lb bike rack back there--] |
You're definately not the only one. My bike weights about 28 lbs and my wife's is probably close to the same. So 60 lbs of bikes on a Yakima "Hold Up" rack. That rack probably weighs 50-60 lbs so I'm just a tad over the tongue wieght for that hitch.
It's worked fine and I primarily plan to switch to a frame mounted reciever (probably Burley) to regain clearance. But pushing the rating envelope is always in back of my mind too and is making me want to swap recievers sooner rather than later. Of course I just blew so much money on my new mtn bike that I can't afford to...
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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tam_shops
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2012
Posts: 1531
Location: Vancouver BC
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| Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks so much for explaining all that to me! I've already learned more than I should ever need to know about hitches. Didn't even know there were classes when I bought this one, actually didn't discover it until after I bought this one, since I (my fault) ignored that class towing stuff since I never plan on towing anything. Bought the Vanagon b/c I did not want to tow anything! LOL
And, again, love and appreciate gowesty and the time, energy, effort and money they put into developing products for us to buy/use/have on our Vanagons. And, if this was just a continuation of the only hitch available for years to come, I'll even withdraw my complaints about it. It meets *my* needs and will for years. I won't withdraw my dissatisfaction w/ the ad, only b/c I'm not the only one that didn't *get* you should put a 100lb bike rack back there--I got the 1,000lb towing part. But, now that I get it, totally take responsibility for duh and the fact that I probably should have asked and/or figured it out! 
Will with out a doubt do a TON of research on bumpers before I buy one. A ton I tell you, tons! Seeing it IRL for starters, then asking about what I can put on it and safety factor for vehicle--main reason I want one...It's actually part of the reason I opted to just get the hitch now and wait for bumpers. More than one person PM'd me and told me to make sure I saw them IRL before buying one, as they didn't like this one or that. And, I've yet to see anything but the tube ones, despite belonging to 2 different local VW groups and having a repair guy down the street! I had decided on the gowesty one, but am now leaning towards that Rocky Mountain Westy one, might want to put the bike rack on the front and the propane, fuel, water and a bunch of other stuff back there...
tam
| j_dirge wrote: |
What you have observed is exactly why the major towing/trailer vendors do NOT sell a hitch assembly for the Vanagon that has a class 3 style 2"
When I went looking for a receiver hitch for my Vanagon 10 yrs ago. GW was the only option.
Years later, Burley announced his product and I was first or second in line to get his frame mount setup. (thread linked on page 1 of this thread)
In that thread I show the differences,
It easy to miss this information on this site, due to the traffic. But the info is out there.
As it turns out there ARE other options, albeit.. some are hard to find options.
The primary reason no major vendor sells Class 3 hitches for the Vanagon in North America is due to the fact that the Vanagon could not safely be consider a Class 3 tow vehicle by US standards. The van is underbraked.. and it is underpowered for Class 3 ratings.
The problem is compounded since many MANY accessories (not rated Class 3) come with 2" receiver fittings.. And now the majority of US car owners just assume that "standard" is 2".. seemingly oblivious to the technical history of Class, 1, 2, 3 etc... ( I was oblivious to much of that stuff, too.. until I started towing bigger weights, then I researched)
I feel for you.. getting caught up in that evolving problem.. but to blame a vendor like GW is not entirely fair.
GW certainly uses marketing in their selling.. most everyone does.. but it is pretty clear to me that they say no more than 100lbs tongue weight on that thing.
FWIW. I exceeded 100lbs by a lot when I used my GW hitch.. like 2.5x.. and lived to tell the tale.. but as you have discovered it is not the best solution for larger tongue weights.
I sold my GW hitch for about half what I paid after several yrs of use. New owner knows its limitations but is pretty happy with it for his needs.
In the end, the GW hitch served its purpose for me, I used the money towards a better hitch (which is not "perfect" either).
That's an option for you.
If I am you, I would want to see the integrated bumper/hitch in person before plunking down any more cash. Don't take someone's word for it. Look for yourself... factoring in what you have learned and make an educated decision.
And in the future, read GW's catalog text with that hard-learned filter.
Their descriptions trend towards a J Peterman catalogue... |
_________________
1987 Vanagon Westfalia GL Automatic
Making it special:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=545885 |
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j_dirge
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 4641
Location: Twain Harte, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 8:52 am Post subject: |
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| tam_shops wrote: |
ROFL Converted that 6,000lb to 3,000kg in my head this morning and had a good laugh about it. Think it was 600lb loaded hitch. LOL And, my Vanagon isn't even 2,000kg/4,000lb.
The fact that it's a Class 1 hitch w/ Class 3 receiver is another one of my complaints w/ that hitch. What happens when someone that does not know it's a Class 1 hitch, buys the Vanagon w/ it on and straps that 600# thing on the back and it crashes onto someone's car on the highway? How would *that* person know and who is responsible?
While I'm not impressed w/ the hitch, it meets my needs (never planning on towing anything and have small bikes), it let me buy the bike rack I preferred and will do for now, or I would have switched it back to the 1" one I had when I figured it out. I'll sell it when I get new bumpers. And, since I'm the only one that seems to not like it, shouldn't be a problem to sell it. 
Plus, really it's gowesty I should complain to, not you guys!  Though, I still don't want others to buy it, mistakenly expecting to be able to put 4-5 adult bikes on there and *hoping* it's going to hold...Then, it crashes on the highway, onto us!  My luck is that great! LOL
| syncrodoka wrote: |
Class 1 hitches aren't available with 2" receivers but class 3 are.
The issue isn't the hitch necessarily but how it mounts to the tow hooks not the frame. A frame mounted hitch that is integrated into the factory bumper like Burly makes is probably what you are looking for.
The full monty GW bumpers with integrated hitch still locate the hitch pin under the receiver not out front where it sounds like you expect it to be.
| tam_shops wrote: |
| But, given that OP, thought he could put (what was it 6,000lb motorcycle?) on a hitch back there, no longer just makes me the inexperienced dumb one and suggests there is a bit more at play than me (alone) not doing her homework before buying something. |
Motorcycles only weigh a few hundred pounds, your van doesn't even weight 6,000 lb. With a hitch advertised to class 1 tongue weight rating it would easily be over the load rating. People warned against it and offered different options for the OP that would have also fit your needs.
I have seen GW hitches with racks and a family load of bikes many times running around town and on the freeways without problems. If it really is a issue for you sell it now while it still looks new and buy something else that you will be happy with.  |
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What you have observed is exactly why the major towing/trailer vendors do NOT sell a hitch assembly for the Vanagon that has a class 3 style 2"
When I went looking for a receiver hitch for my Vanagon 10 yrs ago. GW was the only option.
Years later, Burley announced his product and I was first or second in line to get his frame mount setup. (thread linked on page 1 of this thread)
In that thread I show the differences,
It easy to miss this information on this site, due to the traffic. But the info is out there.
As it turns out there ARE other options, albeit.. some are hard to find options.
The primary reason no major vendor sells Class 3 hitches for the Vanagon in North America is due to the fact that the Vanagon could not safely be consider a Class 3 tow vehicle by US standards. The van is underbraked.. and it is underpowered for Class 3 ratings.
The problem is compounded since many MANY accessories (not rated Class 3) come with 2" receiver fittings.. And now the majority of US car owners just assume that "standard" is 2".. seemingly oblivious to the technical history of Class, 1, 2, 3 etc... ( I was oblivious to much of that stuff, too.. until I started towing bigger weights, then I researched)
I feel for you.. getting caught up in that evolving problem.. but to blame a vendor like GW is not entirely fair.
GW certainly uses marketing in their selling.. most everyone does.. but it is pretty clear to me that they say no more than 100lbs tongue weight on that thing.
FWIW. I exceeded 100lbs by a lot when I used my GW hitch.. like 2.5x.. and lived to tell the tale.. but as you have discovered it is not the best solution for larger tongue weights.
I sold my GW hitch for about half what I paid after several yrs of use. New owner knows its limitations but is pretty happy with it for his needs.
In the end, the GW hitch served its purpose for me, I used the money towards a better hitch (which is not "perfect" either).
That's an option for you.
If I am you, I would want to see the integrated bumper/hitch in person before plunking down any more cash. Don't take someone's word for it. Look for yourself... factoring in what you have learned and make an educated decision.
And in the future, read GW's catalog text with that hard-learned filter.
Their descriptions trend towards a J Peterman catalogue...
_________________
-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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tam_shops
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2012
Posts: 1531
Location: Vancouver BC
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| Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 8:22 am Post subject: |
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ROFL Converted that 6,000lb to 3,000kg in my head this morning and had a good laugh about it. Think it was 600lb loaded hitch. LOL And, my Vanagon isn't even 2,000kg/4,000lb.
The fact that it's a Class 1 hitch w/ Class 3 receiver is another one of my complaints w/ that hitch. What happens when someone that does not know it's a Class 1 hitch, buys the Vanagon w/ it on and straps that 600# thing on the back and it crashes onto someone's car on the highway? How would *that* person know and who is responsible?
While I'm not impressed w/ the hitch, it meets my needs (never planning on towing anything and have small bikes), it let me buy the bike rack I preferred and will do for now, or I would have switched it back to the 1" one I had when I figured it out. I'll sell it when I get new bumpers. And, since I'm the only one that seems to not like it, shouldn't be a problem to sell it.
Plus, really it's gowesty I should complain to, not you guys! Though, I still don't want others to buy it, mistakenly expecting to be able to put 4-5 adult bikes on there and *hoping* it's going to hold...Then, it crashes on the highway, onto us! My luck is that great! LOL
| syncrodoka wrote: |
Class 1 hitches aren't available with 2" receivers but class 3 are.
The issue isn't the hitch necessarily but how it mounts to the tow hooks not the frame. A frame mounted hitch that is integrated into the factory bumper like Burly makes is probably what you are looking for.
The full monty GW bumpers with integrated hitch still locate the hitch pin under the receiver not out front where it sounds like you expect it to be.
| tam_shops wrote: |
| But, given that OP, thought he could put (what was it 6,000lb motorcycle?) on a hitch back there, no longer just makes me the inexperienced dumb one and suggests there is a bit more at play than me (alone) not doing her homework before buying something. |
Motorcycles only weigh a few hundred pounds, your van doesn't even weight 6,000 lb. With a hitch advertised to class 1 tongue weight rating it would easily be over the load rating. People warned against it and offered different options for the OP that would have also fit your needs.
I have seen GW hitches with racks and a family load of bikes many times running around town and on the freeways without problems. If it really is a issue for you sell it now while it still looks new and buy something else that you will be happy with. |
_________________
1987 Vanagon Westfalia GL Automatic
Making it special:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=545885 |
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syncrodoka
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12318
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 11:18 pm Post subject: |
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Class 1 hitches aren't available with 2" receivers but class 3 are.
The issue isn't the hitch necessarily but how it mounts to the tow hooks not the frame. A frame mounted hitch that is integrated into the factory bumper like Burly makes is probably what you are looking for.
The full monty GW bumpers with integrated hitch still locate the hitch pin under the receiver not out front where it sounds like you expect it to be.
| tam_shops wrote: |
| But, given that OP, thought he could put (what was it 6,000lb motorcycle?) on a hitch back there, no longer just makes me the inexperienced dumb one and suggests there is a bit more at play than me (alone) not doing her homework before buying something. |
Motorcycles only weigh a few hundred pounds, your van doesn't even weight 6,000 lb. With a hitch advertised to class 1 tongue weight rating it would easily be over the load rating. People warned against it and offered different options for the OP that would have also fit your needs.
I have seen GW hitches with racks and a family load of bikes many times running around town and on the freeways without problems. If it really is a issue for you sell it now while it still looks new and buy something else that you will be happy with. |
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tam_shops
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2012
Posts: 1531
Location: Vancouver BC
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| Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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I've never bought or used a trailer hitch before, so what's obvious to you, not so much for me...I thought the hidden pin looked pretty. Even I'm about practical before pretty, in practice it's a PITA.
At any rate, thought I'd admitted (earlier) I hadn't done enough research on the topic (I also thought I was buying the stronger one that could later be integrated into the bumpers), also my mistake. Lucky for me my guy knew what the one I would have ordered wouldn't fit w/ my bumper and put the correct one on. It works for now. I don't blame gowesty for any of that at all. My mistake and the hitch works for what *I* need...The question would be, how many people are using it (wrong and/or unsafe) not having realized it after the fact, having read something else. 
But, given that OP, thought he could put (what was it 6,000lb motorcycle?) on a hitch back there, no longer just makes me the inexperienced dumb one and suggests there is a bit more at play than me (alone) not doing her homework before buying something. And, we all know how much homework I do before buying something.
Personally I didn't process the # b/c I was focused on the towing weight, which I don't care about, perhaps that's the case for OP also. Who else has one of those totally cool gear boxes on this hitch? The add uses irrelevant information, which makes it misleading. It is a Class 1 hitch. Period. Doesn't matter if the steel they used is stronger, what matters is the installation they choose (tow hitches) makes it a Class 1 100lb tongue weight w/ 1,000lb towing weight hitch. It's sneaky and misleading.
I like gowesty, just not this hitch or the way they advertise it, it's prone to mistaken misuse. They have lots of GREAT things that are set up for and include instructions and videos for dummies! I've already spent hundreds of dollars there, happily and will continue to do so. I just think they should fix this and if they had fabulous customer service like a few of the other places, they'd have jumped in here and/or fixed it there to make it more obvious. So, more people don't make the same mistake...
tam
| syncrodoka wrote: |
Looking at the pictures in the ad you would have noticed the hitch pin isn't reachable from above.
The description also states what they consider the hitch rated for. # is a standard symbol for pound. Blaming the vendor for spelling everything out and you not paying attention seems odd.
If you want something stronger it costs more because it has to be engineered to work with the factory bumper and attach to the frame or replace the bumper entirely. |
_________________
1987 Vanagon Westfalia GL Automatic
Making it special:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=545885 |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8462
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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| tam_shops wrote: |
| Said so much better than I could say...It's hit a nerve with me b/c I'm not impressed w/ the hitch, the advertising, the way you secure things on it (hidden hitch pin) or the sneaky way they suggest it's better than it is... |
The pin hole isn't hidden, it's merely lower and a tad farther back than you're used to. I've not ever had to lay on the ground to install my Thule's lock bolt and it requires the use of tools. There again, my rack isn't a swing-out type, so I have lots of space between the rack and bumper.
Sneaky? It states right there on the web page that it is rated as a Class I hitch and that, when towing, you shouldn't have more 100 pounds of tongue weight.
| tam_shops wrote: |
And, I'll add that it's sneaky that they advertise the 100lb max weight bumper on the same page as the Swing Daddy Bike rack (50lbs), under "Related Products". If all you're allowed to put on that bike rack is one bike 30lbs +/or one 20# kids bike, do you really need a 50# $400 bike rack?
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3167&category_id=&category_parent_id=
Plus, the 100# instead of more obvious 100 pound or 100lb, isn't helping any, since the focus is on *towing*, which I never planned on doing anyway |
In the old days, # was known as "pound sign" or "pound symbol", not "hashtag" (damn you :2gunfire: Twitter!)
This isn't directed at you, specifically, Tam, but I do not understand, and will never understand, the modern phenomena of asking a car forum about a product instead of contacting the vendor or manufacturer directly. GW is merely a phone call or email away to ask, before buying, questions like: "Will the tow loop-mounted hitch support a fully-loaded Swing Daddy rack? If I can't have 100 pounds in tongue weight on that hitch, does that mean I also can't have a 120-pound (when loaded) bike rack?"
_________________
~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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syncrodoka
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12318
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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Looking at the pictures in the ad you would have noticed the hitch pin isn't reachable from above.
The description also states what they consider the hitch rated for. # is a standard symbol for pound. Blaming the vendor for spelling everything out and you not paying attention seems odd.
If you want something stronger it costs more because it has to be engineered to work with the factory bumper and attach to the frame or replace the bumper entirely. |
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tam_shops
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2012
Posts: 1531
Location: Vancouver BC
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| Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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Said so much better than I could say...It's hit a nerve with me b/c I'm not impressed w/ the hitch, the advertising, the way you secure things on it (hidden hitch pin) or the sneaky way they suggest it's better than it is...it's good enough for me, but not a lot of others and we all know how much I read/research things, so if I missed the 100# tongue weight (meaning 100lb max weight for bike rack), and OP missed it, who else did and is using it as such? It's obviously able to hold more, but that's at *our* risk...
| jackbombay wrote: |
| kamzcab86 wrote: |
| jackbombay wrote: |
| kamzcab86 wrote: |
GW's hitch is a Class III in strength. |
If it was you could pull 6,000 pounds with it, and have up to 600 pounds tongue weight, but you can't do either of those with their hitch so it isn't class III. |
GoWesty's description: "While it is Class III in strength, we rate it to Class I..." I take that to mean: It is manufactured to Class III hitch specs, but due to its required mounting method, it is rated as a Class I hitch. |
Edit from my previous post,
I understand that if the hitch was redesigned, and built differently, and if it attached to the vehicle in a totally different manner, it could be a class III hitch, but then it wouldn't be the same hitch we are currently discussing. |
And, I'll add that it's sneaky that they advertise the 100lb max weight bumper on the same page as the Swing Daddy Bike rack (50lbs), under "Related Products". If all you're allowed to put on that bike rack is one bike 30lbs +/or one 20# kids bike, do you really need a 50# $400 bike rack?
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3167&category_id=&category_parent_id=
Plus, the 100# instead of more obvious 100 pound or 100lb, isn't helping any, since the focus is on *towing*, which I never planned on doing anyway.
tam
_________________
1987 Vanagon Westfalia GL Automatic
Making it special:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=545885 |
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jackbombay
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2007
Posts: 2725
Location: Portland Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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| kamzcab86 wrote: |
| jackbombay wrote: |
| kamzcab86 wrote: |
GW's hitch is a Class III in strength. |
If it was you could pull 6,000 pounds with it, and have up to 600 pounds tongue weight, but you can't do either of those with their hitch so it isn't class III. |
GoWesty's description: "While it is Class III in strength, we rate it to Class I..." I take that to mean: It is manufactured to Class III hitch specs, but due to its required mounting method, it is rated as a Class I hitch. |
Edit from my previous post,
I understand that if the hitch was redesigned, and built differently, and if it attached to the vehicle in a totally different manner, it could be a class III hitch, but then it wouldn't be the same hitch we are currently discussing.
_________________
Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies
Samba ad here.
DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs) |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8462
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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| jackbombay wrote: |
| kamzcab86 wrote: |
GW's hitch is a Class III in strength. |
If it was you could pull 6,000 pounds with it, and have up to 600 pounds tongue weight, but you can't do either of those with their hitch so it isn't class III. |
GoWesty's description: "While it is Class III in strength, we rate it to Class I..." I take that to mean: It is manufactured to Class III hitch specs, but due to its required mounting method, it is rated as a Class I hitch.
_________________
~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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jackbombay
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2007
Posts: 2725
Location: Portland Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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| kamzcab86 wrote: |
GW's hitch is a Class III in strength. |
If it was you could pull 6,000 pounds with it, and have up to 600 pounds tongue weight, but you can't do either of those (much less both) with their hitch so it isn't class III.
I understand that if the hitch was redesigned, and built differently, and if it attached to the vehicle in a totally different manner, it could be a class III hitch, but then it wouldn't be the same hitch we are currently discussing.
_________________
Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies
Samba ad here.
DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs) |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8462
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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| tam_shops wrote: |
It doesn't impress me with it's trying to confuse people suggesting it's a 3 but really 1 nonsense and # instead of lb, too!
"While it is Class III in strength, we rate it to Class I (100# tongue weight/1000# tow rate) as we feel it is unsafe to tow anything over 1000lbs with a stock Vanagon."
Re-stated that says, this is a Class 1 hitch and can *only* hold 100 pounds of weight for a bike rack (or in OPs case motorcycle). |
GW's hitch is a Class III in strength. However, due to the way it mounts, they rate it as a Class I to a) cover their asses liability-wise, b) so that you, Vanagon owner, don't overload the hitch and, subsequently, screw up the tow loops said hitch mounts to.
It's not nonsense, it's common sense. If you want a heavier-duty hitch set-up, you'll have to get one that attaches to the van, in some way or other (bumper, bumper mounts, etc.), to the chassis.
For the record, my dad jacked up the rear end of my van (before I could stop him) via the GW hitch. Neither the hitch nor the tow loops were affected, so both are plenty strong.
^That is their bumper set. Their rear bumper incorporates a 2" receiver hitch. This is the hitch: http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23575&category_id=23578&category_parent_id= . It clearly states on that page in red: "Fitment note: This hitch is designed to integrate into our new plate steel rear bumpers ONLY. If you have any other bumper on your vehicle, you can add our 'stand alone' bolt-on hitch, which is found in the related products section below." In other words, if you want that hitch you need their bumper.
_________________
~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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tam_shops
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2012
Posts: 1531
Location: Vancouver BC
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| Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, I already have the gowesty one. So it will stay there until I do my bumpers now. Few years if I'm lucky w/ other repairs...
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=2582&category_id=&category_parent_id=
It doesn't impress me with it's trying to confuse people suggesting it's a 3 but really 1 nonsense and # instead of lb, too!
"While it is Class III in strength, we rate it to Class I (100# tongue weight/1000# tow rate) as we feel it is unsafe to tow anything over 1000lbs with a stock Vanagon."
Re-stated that says, this is a Class 1 hitch and can *only* hold 100 pounds of weight for a bike rack (or in OPs case motorcycle).
I *thought* I was getting the one that goes with their bumper:
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23578&category_id=&category_parent_id=, but didn't order it myself so...I wasn't clear and didn't ask enough questions...At any rate, it's there and installed and while I'm sure it's too much weight, since it only holds 1 adult bike and 3 kids bikes (12", 20" and 26"), and 2 of the kids bikes are ultra light racing bikes, I left it be. For now...
| dobryan wrote: |
Tam,
If you need all the ground clearance you can get for going off of the pavement then Burley is the way to go (or RMW). If you are staying on the street/smooth dirt the Dennis Haynes hitch is well built and likely less expensive than either but you lose departure angle going over rough or steep ground since it hangs below the bumper more.... YMMV. |
Now that I have it, I really wouldn't recommend the gowesty hitch to anyone anyway. It's a PITA to use, the part where you secure the bolt is under/behind the hitch, so it's not even standard and you have to lay on the ground to get it on and/or take it off. WTH is the point of that? It looks pretty though.
_________________
1987 Vanagon Westfalia GL Automatic
Making it special:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=545885 |
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nemobuscaptain
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 3874
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17153
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: Mon Apr 29, 2013 10:32 am Post subject: |
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Yep.. there is a link in that thread to an image of the hitch. You can cmpare that to the Burley product.
The primary difference is that Burley's sits high and pokes tru the OEM bumper. Haynes sits a little lower and comes out under the bumper..
Burley's requires making a modification to the original bumper to buy that added ground clearance. (there are two detailed install threads on that subject here on Samba)
You will get an added 2-3 inchs of clearance with Burley's. But you won't have to modify bumpers for Dennis Haynes'.
_________________
-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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