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mrvwaccessory Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2002 Posts: 173 Location: Paso Robles, CA
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:56 pm Post subject: 1965 bus towing 1960 Westfalia caravan |
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Hello,
I need help getting some informations about the towing capacity of the bus and weight of the trailer. I have a 1965 bus with lots of accessories running on stock transmission, stock 1641 engine, and stock brakes. The trailer is 1960 Westfalia caravan. I do not know the specs of the trailer and am trying to find the weight of the trailer. I did test drive the bus with the trailer and it appears to be OK towing the trailer. I am more concern about the long drive and stress on the engine and transmission. The trailer does have surge brakes for stopping. I hope you can help me get some information and I do remember seeing a green and white Westfalia towing a Westfalia trailer larger than mine. I wish to contact the person who owns a larger trailer. My mechanic tells me that the trailer is too big for my bus and can cause damage to the transmission and engine. Any advise?????
<image lost>
Thanks,
Sal _________________ 1965 EZ Camper (show)
1967 Westfalia Utility Trailer
1998 Bayliner Ciera 2858 Boat |
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dillon schuh Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2003 Posts: 343 Location: Sacramento
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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1 Get rid of the front tire! |
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mrvwaccessory Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2002 Posts: 173 Location: Paso Robles, CA
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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HAHA! I have so many bad ass accessories on the bus and am running out of space. I had to put an original orange and white Westfalia tent behind the seat. _________________ 1965 EZ Camper (show)
1967 Westfalia Utility Trailer
1998 Bayliner Ciera 2858 Boat |
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joe cool Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2006 Posts: 1259 Location: Yolo County CA
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 10:17 pm Post subject: |
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I tow a 2500lb+ boat and trailer with my '69 truck. I have no hitch on the '63 so I don't tow with that, but it would do just as well.
Pulling isn't the problem, it's braking. If your trailer has brakes you are probably okay. If you have no trailer brakes (like me) you should be concerned about freeway speeds and downhill grades. Take this seriously, a bus is a pretty lightweight vehicle.
I do think I am trashing the clutch pulling up the boat ramp, you may not have this problem with the trailer on solid ground, but I would recommend paying attention to this anyway.
I don't think the tranny and engine are the least bit stressed, stock gearing is suitably low, it is the suspension that is taking the hit. If your trailer has much tongue weight you might look into an adjustable hitch so you can get the tongue weight down to 250lbs or so, that's my opinion.
I think you can do it, I'd try. |
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krusher Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2002 Posts: 7652 Location: europe
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Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:20 am Post subject: |
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A 1641 is not stock, I would want a good engine producing 100hp to pull that think safely, going up a freeway grade at 25mph is not safe. |
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SWSmith Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2006 Posts: 84
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Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:53 am Post subject: |
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Hi mate,
I have a 1967 SO-42 and also a 1959 Westfalia caravan, that I plan to tow using the 1600cc engine that I have - with stock drum brakes.
I'll probably upgrade the brakes at some point, but will see how things go.
We have the same caravan, and the weight of it is 780kg - there should be a plate on the chassis at the front with the details on.
You should be fine with what you have as long as the brakes work (as one of the other guys has mentioned!!).
There is also a Westfalia registry ove in Holland that is keeping a record of all Westfalia caravans on the road at the moment - they are up to about 65 at the moment!!
It would be good if your details could be added to this list. you can send them to Rolf te Kam on the website www.westfalia-register.org (I think) or I can forward them to him. my e-mail address is [email protected]
The guy with the green and white van and caravan has been running a 1776cc engine (I think that is what he told me!) with IRS.
Good luck.
Stuart |
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mrvwaccessory Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2002 Posts: 173 Location: Paso Robles, CA
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Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 8:05 am Post subject: |
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Hi,
Thanks for your replies. My Westfalia is a beauty and I will do what I can to modify the bus to be able to tow the trailer. I took photos of the tag on the trailer.
(alt+p)
This tag is mounted on the chassis and I do understand the year 1960, vin number and I need clarification on 1000 KG. Is 1000 KG the weight of the trailer?
(alt+p)
This tag is mounted on the (what do you call it?) a receiver? It shows 1000 KG and 50 KG. I do not understand German.
Thanks SWSmith for the links. I will send you an email, I would like to contact Rolf but his website is in German. Seems like your 1959 Westfalia caravan is smaller than mine. Does your trailer have original tent? _________________ 1965 EZ Camper (show)
1967 Westfalia Utility Trailer
1998 Bayliner Ciera 2858 Boat |
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SWSmith Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2006 Posts: 84
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Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:12 am Post subject: |
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Hi Sal,
It would be good if you could send me some photo's (internal and external) as I'd love to make comparisons with my one. It does look the same size from the photo, but the weight is definitely different.
I am not sure if we have the original awning, it is the correct size and shape, but it is red and green stripes. At this stage I am assuming that it is the original poles with a replacement awning - but only time will tell.
Rolf does write good English and it is easy to communicate with him in writing (I haven't spoken to him yet!!).
If you can e-mail me some photo's to [email protected] I will happily forward them on your behalf.
Look forward to seeing how it looks.
Stuart |
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Lind Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2000 Posts: 9915 Location: idaho
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Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:49 am Post subject: |
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mrvwaccessory wrote: |
(alt+p)
This tag is mounted on the (what do you call it?) a receiver? It shows 1000 KG and 50 KG. I do not understand German. |
tongue load 50kg
trailer weight 1000kg _________________ .
Wanted:
Idaho VW license plate frames or other dealership items.
VWoA literature and early dealership or distributor literature/pictures/information
. |
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jimmy1 Samba Member
Joined: April 17, 2001 Posts: 1569 Location: http://www.thedeafvolks.com
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Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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I would run all 4 disc and hook up the trailer brakes. _________________ North Hollywood, CA
1956 Kabrolett
"I'd rather be driving my VW thinking about God than sitting in church thinking about my VW."
check out my classified ads, lots of rare parts/accessories for sale. |
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derRHDmeister Samba Member
Joined: June 22, 2004 Posts: 560 Location: worldwide
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Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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yo Sal- killer rig!
Id suggest you to add front disc brakes... and have transaxle built to handle that load, keep gearing intact maybe 4.12 for overall range. (super diff, weld some gears and beef it up a bit). Dont forget 6 ply tires it makes all the difference if you have good traction.
-Maybe look into 60's rare European trailer brake kit? I bet there's NOS kit somewhere out there and before I could say "NOS" Sal probably snatched it up....
One more thing. Pls make that a 1776 too. 1641 will be fine but you will suck it uphills and truckers blazing by.... so a 1776cc plus good head combo (not high performance but heavy duty low comp) and dual carb set up go for it... You gonna slap on that damn nos dellorto kit that you got from Kelly park huh ! _________________ Ask not what your bus can do for you, but ask what you can do for your bus.
unclespanky wrote: |
Piercy could dip those wheel cylinders between his cheek and gums and spit them out rebuilt. |
Check us out @
Instagram: DeafVolks & BarndoorBuggy |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2922 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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dillon schuh wrote: |
1 Get rid of the front tire! |
...and the sunvisor and the double bumper guard arrangement. |
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mrvwaccessory Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2002 Posts: 173 Location: Paso Robles, CA
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Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, I am going to upgrade my bus, do a 1776 with dual carbs, get front disc brakes from Greg Banfill since he is waiting for shipment from Germany. I am looking into an IRS transmission. My bus is loaded with weights due to accessories. (I am known for accessory whore so I will leave what's on my bus whether you like it or not HA!) The trailer already has working surge brake which I had it done two weeks ago. The tires are 6 ply trailer tires. By the way I sold the Dellorto Carbs and will go for a bigger Carbs. I have an expert mechanic who will build a strong torque engine. I am gathering informations about the trailer and learning more about how rare the Westfalia caravan is. Not many left!
By the way, thanks for your advises, criticism about my bus, and informations.
Sal _________________ 1965 EZ Camper (show)
1967 Westfalia Utility Trailer
1998 Bayliner Ciera 2858 Boat |
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pyrOman Fire Master
Joined: July 21, 2003 Posts: 12408 Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
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Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:19 am Post subject: |
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mrvwaccessory wrote: |
I am known for accessory whore so I will leave what's on my bus whether you like it or not HA! |
You go, Sal!!! _________________ Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise. |
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mr. warehouse Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2001 Posts: 5001 Location: Nor Cal 707
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Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:29 am Post subject: |
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You're asking this guy to get rid of accessories??
Probably not going to happen. |
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rebapuck Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Chapel Hill NC
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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:07 am Post subject: Listed weight |
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I have a '75 Puck that states on the plate 500kg. An Eriba forum says that is the MAXimum weight. Empty is about 390kg. Yours might be the same. _________________ Judy
1966 Camper "Hannah"
1967 SingleCab "Khady" |
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mrvwaccessory Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2002 Posts: 173 Location: Paso Robles, CA
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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:39 am Post subject: |
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Mine shows 1000 KG on the plate and it means 2200 pounds. I used to own Eriba familia weighting at about 1600 pounds towing behind 1970 Westfalia bus. The bus did well with stock 1700 cc, IRS transmission, and drum brakes. Eriba makes aluminum body with foam and thin vynil interior. Westfalia makes thin metal body with foam and wood veener interior. This is why it weights more. I currently own 1964 Eriba puck that weights 440 KG meaning 968 pounds. I have added another 300 pounds in the trailer. I am going to test drive the bus with puck to a VW show on October 13th. Will see how my bus performs towing 1300 pounds. _________________ 1965 EZ Camper (show)
1967 Westfalia Utility Trailer
1998 Bayliner Ciera 2858 Boat |
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rebapuck Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Chapel Hill NC
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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:47 am Post subject: 440kg Eriba |
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Is the 440kg the empty or maximum weight? _________________ Judy
1966 Camper "Hannah"
1967 SingleCab "Khady" |
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mrvwaccessory Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2002 Posts: 173 Location: Paso Robles, CA
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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:27 am Post subject: |
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Good question, I only can understand 440 KG. I do not understand German language. I assume it would be the dry weight. _________________ 1965 EZ Camper (show)
1967 Westfalia Utility Trailer
1998 Bayliner Ciera 2858 Boat |
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infantibus Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2006 Posts: 290 Location: Filthadelphia
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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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That is a sweet rig man AWESOME. And i would be more concerned about stopping too. Maybe a BAD brakes kit?? |
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