Towing My Vanagon as a camper

[dobryan]

[dhaavers]

[BusDriver1]

[dhaavers]

Cargo plane specs aside, your question has already been well answered.

You have several options:

OPTION 1:
Sure; camp in the van...in your yard.
PROS: Fun, safe, cheap.
CONS: None, really, except you're stuck in your yard.

OPTION 2:
Drive the CRV; camp where you want, in a tent.
PROS: Fun, safe, cheap.
CONS: None, really, except you're not in your van.

OPTION 3:
Fix the van & drive it.
PROS: Fun, safe.
CONS: Not cheap.

OPTION 4:
Tow the 3000# van (as you suggest) with your under-rated tow vehicle.
PROS: Cheap.
CONS: NOT SAFE, WHICH IS NO FUN.

Your idea is just that - an idea. It is not good. It is not practical.
It endangers yourself and others.

I recommend anything from #1-3...Save your money & do it right.

If you pick #4, please don't come up on my bumper while I'm dodging deer or traffic.

Good luck...keep us posted!
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[Syncromikey]

Emergency stop ... At first you'll start swerving a little side to side then it'll get worse and you'll loose control. Maybe you'll be able to stop safely, maybe you'll loose control, cross the meridian and you're life will totally change. Too many people out there figure it'll never happen to them ... Then it does.
I wouldn't take that chance with my family in the van or with others I don't know driving down the road.
Needless to say, I wouldn't recommend towing a 3000lb+ vehicle with a 3000lb vehicle.
_________________
Love my Westy ...


My build: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=528954

[Jake de Villiers]

[BusDriver1]

[Love My Westy]

I was towing my 14' aluminum boat on a trailer, the total of the two was about 1200 lbs. The trailer had no brakes. My tow vehicle was a Dodge Dakota which was loaded with a 4 Wheel pop top camper and all of my gear. As I was approaching an intersection about 50 mph, the light suddenly changed, and the car ahead of me, which I expected to continue through the yellow light, slammed on his brakes to stop. I thought I was following at a safe distance, but when I put on the brakes, the boat and trailer pushed me so that I had to swing into the left turn lane to keep from hitting the car in front. I did manage to stop before I went into the intersection but I was amazed that the inertia of that lightweight trailer.

Don't do it unless you are prepared to fork out the $500 to $700 for a braking system from Camper World or other RV place. And get a tow vehicle that is built to haul that weight.

[SCP_Austin]

This is probably the worst idea i have heard in awhile. You will KILL the CRV transmission and brakes. You actually could physically tow the van with the CRV, but it would burn up the tranny and just eat up your brakes.

Think about the MPGs of towing a van with a CRV...holy crap that would be low. Also...you would more than likely void any warranty expressed or implied from Honda.

Good luck wrenching on the van!!!

[BillWYellowstone]

I tow mine, but with a 35' motorhome, well within the specs, plus I have the 'Brake Buddy' system, works on inertia and applies the brakes to the Westy in a stop. Also remember with engine not running, there is no vacuum assist for the brakes.

Next, consider, you really can't back it up with a tow bar, the front wheels would try to turn themselves around.

It has been hacked to death here and looks like OP has decided against it, but you know how these can devolve over a short period of time. Just thought I would toss these other cons into the mix. Backing seems to have been missed. Of course, one could unhook and have the family push it bacwards while you steer. Maybe once.
_________________
Live Fulltime in motorhome
Have 86 Westy Camper 2.1 rebuilt
Work in Yellowstone NP year round.

[SCP_Austin]

Even with a locked steering wheel?

[16CVs]

This thread reminds of the Mazda MPV stuck in the side of the hill on Donner Summit with a full sized Ford F150 on a trailer jack knifed and stopping traffic . The Mazda did not have a straight panel on it nor an inflated tire .
My guess is the guy had to change his pants after that . Don't do it, save the money you would have to spend on the Honda after cooking the drive train or repairing body damage and fix the Vanagon ,as stated by a few others other than me .
If you do do it, send us pictures and an update after .

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[0to60in6min]

to the OP...

don't do it..

- you may kill the CRV

- you may kill the vanagon

- you may kill yourself and others..

[90Doka_Guy]

[snowsyncro]

[BillWYellowstone]