Pulling a Westy up a Hill

[randywebb]

I'd like to take my 2wd, AUTO. TRANS. Westy to a big party at a friend's vineyard this summer.

It'll be dry by then, but the hill is quite steep and the road doesn't present the best surface for traction either.

Another friend has offered a "Jeep Assist" and I have a selection of tow straps, and am sure he does too.

Where should we hook theses straps on a stock 1986 Westy?

Any other problems? Auto Trans. an issue? (we expect to try it with the Van in gear and trying to get up the hill under its own power)
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[jackbombay]

Are all the other attendees showing up in 4wd/awd vehicles? If not I think you'll be fine, but worst case scenario you can let the lowly jeep pull you up the hill while you try your best with the gas pedal in the westy.

EDIT- the tow hook on the front should be fine.
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[Racerrojo]

Check the owners manual or the Bentley.
as long as you don't go for a long distance and over 35 mph you should be ok, I have pulled vans from the front tow loop, on a nasty fire road with no problems
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Tight is tight... too tight is expensive!!!!


Too many vans and mostly all projects

[Wildthings]

Just avoid hard yanks. If the Jeep will do it, it might be better to just let him pull you, or at least use very little assist from you own engine. The problem will come if there is slack and he takes the slack up suddenly overloading the metal around the hook. A lot will depend on your friends experience and judgement, tempered of course by how much he has already had to drink.

[joseph928]

Just drive it up! A 2x2 van is capable of going where other 2 wheel drives would dare not go! Worst case just let jeep pull it up, with you helping, that will alleviate you with any problems with the drivetrain. Your front tow hook is fine to use.
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1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug.

[Jake de Villiers]

[j_dirge]

[randywebb]

I am trying to recall if any 2wd vehicles went up last October (for picking grapes); mostly it was SUVs; I used my Sube Forester.

I also expect to have some new more hwy oriented tires on by then, if I can find the $$ to buy them... so less traction.

Yes, ethanol will be involved - I'll make sure my Jeepey friend is sober before any pulls.

I have some bad 1970s memories of trying to get my hotrodded Bus up a fire road and failing due to lack of power. It went back down and smashed the rear up pretty badly on a stump.

I hope that tow loop is strong enough - there is only one on my Van and it doesn't look real strong.

BTW, I cannot find any info on this in the Bentley (I also have a British copy on my computer - not there either). It discusses how a tow truck driver should set the hooks into the slots in the under-body frame rails...
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[MarkWard]

As long as alcohol is not involved you should be good to go however you attempt it.

[j_dirge]

[SCM]

[quote="j_dirge"]