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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15119 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 12:48 pm Post subject: |
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GVW is loaded with 4 adults and 15g water and gear.. it's not the static weight. the #5,ooo bar is more than adequate for the vanagon.
just don't load it up with your moving items. _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32367 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Wasted youth Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2012 Posts: 5134 Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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^^ Sweet. Got a little concerned there... apparently I don't have a clear idea on GVWR. |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 11997 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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Gross
Vehicle
Weight
Rating
How much in total it is rated to weigh.
My truck was weighed by a certified weighmaster at 3600LBS.
Last edited by syncrodoka on Mon Mar 02, 2015 4:22 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32367 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Jem5649 Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2014 Posts: 106 Location: Denver, CO
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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I did actually get worried there for a sec...
I did not know what GVWR stood for, but I didn't understand how the van could gain almost 2000 pounds from curb weight (3537lbs) to hit what I found on Vanagon.com for the GVWR (5072lbs) fully loaded... I know I weigh a stout 120lbs, and my gear maybe another 500+water so maybe 4000lbs max was what I was thinking!
On another note, what do people think on attaching the tow bar, is it better to drill a hole in the mounting plate and go with one bolt per, or go with drilling the van and two holes per mounting bracket? _________________ I am a rock climber, not very mechanical...
1980 air cooled Westy named Beer... Yes you read that right! |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15119 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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i did the 2 bolts per bracket 1st
it's more invasive to the van.
now i do the one large bolt per bracket in the middle (requires drilling the big hole in bracket)
you MUST make a large thick backing plate for inside/under the clamshell
also you must remove the front bumper skin.
check the bolts regularly for looseness.
also buy/use safety chains.. DOT required. _________________
Abscate wrote: |
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tlbranth Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2014 Posts: 209 Location: Carnation, Wa
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 7:09 pm Post subject: |
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so it's OK to tow a 2wd with the back wheels down? Good thing to know since it's a Volkswagen. _________________ Terry
1991 Westfailure. 2004 Forester 2.5 engine. 4speed Standard transmission. |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15119 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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standards..
you can flat tow the Syncro with all 4 wheels down
automatics require the axles (both) removed. _________________
Abscate wrote: |
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Tristar Eric Samba Member
Joined: July 25, 2004 Posts: 1241 Location: Portland, Or
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nemobuscaptain Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 3874
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32367 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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nemobuscaptain Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 3874
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topflood Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Sacramento
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Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Tow bar! |
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When towing the van, do you need to tie the steering wheel so it stays straight, or simply unlock and let the wheels turn as they wish. I would think you would need to strap the wheel. |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15119 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 12:30 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Tow bar! |
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hundreds of miles with steering unlocked and not strapped.
don't know what would happen if the tow'd got a front flat tire, though I'm fairly sure it'd present itself fairly quickly. _________________
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vwlovr Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2006 Posts: 1122 Location: on the road
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Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 1:22 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Tow bar! |
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topflood wrote: |
When towing the van, do you need to tie the steering wheel so it stays straight, or simply unlock and let the wheels turn as they wish. I would think you would need to strap the wheel. |
leave a key in it so it stays unlocked and it's fine to turn as they wish. i have done this for literally thousands of miles behind an RV and it's totally fine. |
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ManneBk Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Stuttgart
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Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 6:17 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Tow bar! |
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Anybody here would recomend a towbar-system to for towing a Vanagon behind a truck?
Preferably a system that does work with a mounted Multivan bumper on the Vanagon and including assisted break in the towed Vanagon.
I also would prefer if it hitches to an euro ball hitch, because my Mercedes Snubnose Truck hase one.
I would need online shopping as Im not located in the states, but am not sure what system is a good and proven one, dont want to ship it back and forth because its no good.
Thanks
Manne |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15119 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2020 6:50 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Tow bar! |
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I know this is a necro bump and you've solved your need or moved on
but to answer the questions
there are base plates available to bolt onto a vanagon to affix a tow bar.
these are roadmaster brand a big towing equipment manufacturer here in the US so if they say it's good it's good enough for their lawyers/insurances
https://www.etrailer.com/Base-Plates/Volkswagen/Vanagon/1986/1208-1.html?VehicleID=19861006947
and you can also get a brake assist unit for the tow'd vehicle that will use the tow'd vehicles brakes.. this is required in many states over a certain GVW of the tow'd vehicle. these units aren't cheap, but I do see them used from time to time in the local online classified marketplaces
https://www.google.com/search?q=rv+towing+brake+systems
ManneBk wrote: |
Anybody here would recomend a towbar-system to for towing a Vanagon behind a truck?
Preferably a system that does work with a mounted Multivan bumper on the Vanagon and including assisted break in the towed Vanagon.
I also would prefer if it hitches to an euro ball hitch, because my Mercedes Snubnose Truck hase one.
I would need online shopping as Im not located in the states, but am not sure what system is a good and proven one, dont want to ship it back and forth because its no good.
Thanks
Manne |
_________________
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These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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otiswesty Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2006 Posts: 1729 Location: Portland
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 2:28 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Tow bar! |
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Thanks for that. I'm looking for a tow bar to pull my Doka down to Baja from Oregon. _________________ 1978 Sage Green P22 Westfalia
1989 T3 Syncro Single cab
Just a regular guy |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32367 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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