Dingy Towing a Vanagon?

Mattyfatz · Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 2:55 pm Post subject: Dingy Towing a Vanagon?

Has anyone seen or heard of a Vanagon being "Dingy Towed" behing a truck or larger RV?
Where would you attach the tow bar?
would I need a break controller?
_________________
if the van is a rockin......

danfromsyr · Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 5:10 pm Post subject:

more than a couple have tow'd their vanagons.
there are a few threads here on the vanagon list.. check the search

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________

WLD*WSTY · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 10:25 pm Post subject:

Mattyfatz-

I tow my '82 SyncroWesty behind my motorhome. I have a tow base plate mounted under the bumper to hook the towbar to. I don't have tow brakes hooked up now, but I will soon as the Westy is pretty heavy. I know of one other person towing a 2wd Westy, but I don't know anything about his hookup.

IdahoDoug · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 10:34 pm Post subject:

Matty,

I'm not sure the autos can be flat towed. Usually, automatics need a pump running to lube the internals as they go down the interstate, but some older autos had a mechanical pump so you could in fact flat tow them. You don't mention your year/engine/tranny.

DougM
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

vwlovr · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 10:52 pm Post subject:

yeah many flat tow vanagons. i see you had found the tow bar thread before but got no response.

your van is an auto? i'm not sure about towing autos, i would check on that if i were you.

otherwise, roadmaster makes a mounting bracket for the vanagon and you can use any of their tow bars with it. they mount to the front frame rails that go around the spare tire.

as for braking, that depends on how legal you want to be and for safety what kind of RV you're pulling with. if you have a massive rig with massive air brakes then you could probably do alright without one, but in most states you're probably legally required to have them. If you have a smaller or older rig with weak brakes i'd get one.

i have a super-C rig with hydraulic brakes, and although i could probably get by without them, i like having them. i have the Roadmaster Brakemaster 9100 Series Brake System and it has a breakaway so if the van somehow got detached it would brake itself.

wiring lights is a "fun" task. my RV has brake/turn combo lights so i got a converter than converts two wire system to a three wire system...
http://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bars/Tow-Ready/118158.html

you'll also need a set of diodes as well ...
http://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bars/Hopkins/38955.html

i think if you do the converter, you need two more diodes...i'm not sure. my set up is even more complicated because my tail lights are also tapped so that i can tow something with the van as well.

check on the towing capabilities with the auto, that's all i'd worry about.

IdahoDoug · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 10:56 pm Post subject:

Man, that thing looks like it could tow half a house!

DougM
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

gabi's monkey

has anyone had any trouble with sway or other issues related to the front end steering of the vanagon as their dinghy tow? I'm new to motorhomes and dinghy cars so any info is greatly appreciated. I have a 34' 1992 Cruise Air III, It has regular brakes, nothing enhanced, a 454 Chevy motor. I plan on getting a brake system for the dinghy vanagon.... Would the tow hitch company know anything about sway or sway bars? I've heard the terms but have no concept of what or where they are or aren't.

WLD*WSTY

r.e.wing_fc3s · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 5:38 pm Post subject:

BillWYellowstone · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:34 pm Post subject:

If you go to e-trailer.com they will set you up with the proper tow bar setup, then Blue Ox or Roadmaster for the tow bar. Brake Buddy is a good brake system, uses inertia to apply and is adjustable.

I tow my 86 behind a 35' motorhome, pictures to come. Then again, I should say I will be towing. Haven't towed this one yet. Used to tow my Accord, but both still set up, the bLUE Ox is interchangeable between.

It has been mentioned it has to be a manual tranny.
_________________
Live Fulltime in motorhome
Have 86 Westy Camper 2.1 rebuilt
Work in Yellowstone NP year round.

vwlovr · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 12:22 am Post subject:

vwlovr · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 12:26 am Post subject:

one odd thing i'd add to this thread is that after 2+ years of flat towing my van the steering lock as started acting up. now it only seems to want to stay unlocked if i put the key in AND in the ignition position. sometimes it will be okay with just key in, but i don't trust it, so i've been putting it in the ignition position and disconnected the van's battery.

not sure what's up with that. in the south now and not many vans to be found at the pick-n-pulls so haven't pulled it apart yet.

BillWYellowstone · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 6:05 am Post subject:

You should always have the key in and wheel unlocked. Any toad 4 wheels down, the front wheels will track the turn. I tie something on the top center of the steering wheel, can see it from my rear monitor while driving.
_________________
Live Fulltime in motorhome
Have 86 Westy Camper 2.1 rebuilt
Work in Yellowstone NP year round.

vwlovr · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 8:10 am Post subject:

WLD*WSTY · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 11:46 am Post subject:

PDXWesty · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 11:59 am Post subject:

I was on the highway one day and came up on this rig being towed.

_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto

gabi's monkey · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:59 am Post subject: thanks guys

Lots of great info. I've gathered that:
Suggests Vanagons already have a sway bar in front.
Needs to be manual transmission.
Suggests tires should be aligned.
Suggests key needs to be in the on position (which is just before run)
Suggests way to have visual proof of steering wheel turning.
Brake buddy is suggested.

Smile

Many thanks!

BillWYellowstone · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:00 pm Post subject:

My Westy. My motorhome. Unfortunately this was a short lived trip. Had an issue with the motorhome, either trans or engine. Had to get the MH towed from Yellowstone to Lewisville, ID. About 100+ miles. Waiting till morning to have it looked at. But, for the moment we looked Good!

BTW, Blue Ox tow bars, Brake Biddy aux braking. eTrailer hooked me up with the mostly bolt on base plate.
_________________
Live Fulltime in motorhome
Have 86 Westy Camper 2.1 rebuilt
Work in Yellowstone NP year round.

MootPoint · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 10:37 am Post subject:

I've never towed mine but one of the POs in the last 27 years must have. There are two tow bar mounting brackets welded to the frame on either side of the clam shell.

I ain't takin' them off...
_________________
1984 Westy with tencentlife power!

danfromsyr · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 12:03 pm Post subject:

I'd edit & adjust my post if it would allow me,
that was a bit curt,
here we're stopped to reconnect the AT trans axles before we load onto the Autotrain IN Sanford, FL
tow'd mom's van for ~1,000mi after it broke down on our ny to FL VW treffen.


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Vanagon	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2