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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9610
Location: Western WA
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 Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 10:26 pm Post subject: Building a towbar to carry on the Vanagon |
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Planning ahead to drive around the country for awhile when the last kid flies the coop.
Not that I'm worried or anything.
But I do have AAA with a 100 mile towing limit
So I can get the van somewhere safe, then (fly home?) come back with a pickup.
Or maybe beg for a tow. 
Here's most of it broken down for storage.
Ready to tow! Sorta...
Needs a few more bolts, chains.
Easy to assemble at time of need.
The fiberglass bumper comes off with just 4 little bolts, it's super easy.
I don't know what to do yet about the brakelights.
Will the Vanagon taillights illuminate if you simply connect a 20-foot long 4-way connector from the tow vehicle to the van's trailer outlet?
Attachment lugs.
Lugs remain bolted to the van bumper, hidden under the fiberglas bumper cover.
The plan is to bolt the legs to the Syncro skid bars. Then I have to find a place for the tow coupler part.
Any comments / ideas?
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb
Last edited by Sodo on Mon Jun 10, 2019 11:16 pm; edited 5 times in total |
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6247
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 10:28 pm Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the van |
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Man..........some people have way too much time on their hands....
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7468
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 10:33 pm Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the van |
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Did you just spend $100 making something that you could buy for $60 (I guess it depends how much you paid for the coupler and steel)?  I like your style.
It’s been on my mind to pack a tow bar but it never occurred to me to stow it below the van. Brilliant!
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- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6559
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 10:33 pm Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the van |
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No ideas, just compliments.
Ingenious stuff Man, you're on a roll. Keep it up.
(hope you never need to use it)
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9610
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 10:41 pm Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the van |
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| jimf909 wrote: |
Did you just spend $100 making something that you could buy for $60 (I guess it depends how much you paid for the coupler and steel)? I like your style.
It’s been on my mind to pack a tow bar but it never occurred to me to stow it below the van. Brilliant! |
Coupler was $14, steel $20. But it's been almost 3 days planning/building this.
And it ain't done yet.
I looked at that $60 harbor freight towbar.
No way could ---> I <--- bring that monstrous thing on a trip. (just me ! )
But that HF towbar can be disassembled and squirreled away in a similar manner.
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb
Last edited by Sodo on Mon Jun 10, 2019 11:19 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 10:45 pm Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the van |
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Personally, I think I'd design it to just stay in place full time. My split had a front hitch when I bought it, as I assume it had been towed behind an RV at some point. Added crash protection and whatnot.
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9610
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 11:05 pm Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the van |
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| Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
| and whatnot. |
did it add #vanlife ?
One time at the campfire the idea was floated to build attachment lugs that use components from a hi-lift jack for the triangle.
It's 100% feasible.
Might be difficult to bum a tow with that unit.
Some folks could respect it.
Not sure if cops would respect it.
I'm looking forward to another campfire like that soon (rather than testing the towbar).
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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Wellington
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004
Posts: 1889
Location: Montreal
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| Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 2:12 am Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the Vanagon |
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| Love it, I'm a bit overkill, but I'd weld a plate on the front triangle. |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17153
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 3:55 am Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the Vanagon |
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I bought a used Scirocco that did not run. I went to pick it up with my Rabbit and a tow bar made for the Mark 1 chassis.
The guy I bought the Scirocco from, when he saw the tow bar, told a story about working for a rental car company, where they would flat tow a car behind doing drop offs and on a delivery, had to do a quick stop and it jack knifed. I listened, but gave it little thought.
Heading home with my future Scirocco race car, it started to drizzle as I was coming up on a road construction project. There was a lane shift on temporary pavement. All I did was lift off the gas to slow and it jack knifed. Came to a stop with the Scirocco up against the side of my rabbit. The tow bar was still connected but looked like a pretzel.
I had nightmares for 6 months. I only tow with a trailer now. In my years, I can think of 3 accidents I passed where a flat towed vehicle got away.
If I had to retrieve my van, I’d rent a car trailer with elec brakes and a truck to pull it if it was far away. Otherwise I’d take my truck and car trailer. I bought a trailer after my wreck. I was after all going racing and flat towing the scirocco behind my 68 camper wasn’t happening after my wreck.
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22668
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 5:49 am Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the Vanagon |
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Uhaul all the way for distance.
For lights though, HF magnetic clamp on with long cord. accept no substitutes
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:31 am Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the Vanagon |
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nice enough to DIY when you have the time, $$ and inclination. I've DIY'd alot in steel.
but I'll add to the towbar conversation this.
just say NO to the HF tow bar, I DO NOT LIKE it's 'cast' steel head piece.
but the REESE towbar is $60~100..
the one i have breaks down the long rods in half.. and it's permanently stowed in the base of my closet.
the headpiece separated fits inside the spare tire under the van inside a ziploc freezer bag.
I've used this for a thousand mile tow one trip.
link to pic, I don't want to flood this thread.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1012207.jpg
see the differences in these 2 when towbar shopping.. and I do not consider the break down version any weaker..
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9610
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 9:30 am Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the Vanagon |
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DJKeev I knew you’d like an on-board ready towbar.
Wellington there will be some bracing added. Triangle are good!!
Dan I didn't see any cast parts on the Harbor Freight towbar. It was all stamped steel. And I agree the breakdown unit is just as strong.
| MarkWard wrote: |
| with the Scirocco up against the side of my rabbit |
No doubt a towbar is risky, thanks for recounting that story, sorry for the nightmares.
The biggest thing to remember about towbars, is there's "NO TRAILER BRAKING".
It's going to push the tow-vehicle, and is there's any "sideways" it WILL push the tow vehicle rear sideways,
perhaps lifting at the same time.
= jackknife. 
Tongue weight goes from ZERO to lifting.
Bad stuff at the worst time.
With that in mind,,, you want the mounts on the towed vehicle to be "high", and a “drop-hitch ball” on the front vehicle with a "downward angle' on the towbar. Want towbar pushing DOWN on the tow vehicle in braking, increasing weight on the tow vehicle rear axle.
If the towed load has no "trailer brakes" the tow vehicle should be significantly heavier so that weight transfer doesn't off-weight the rear of the tow vehicle. That's why U-haul requires a truck because it has big brakes to stop the added weight of the non-braked load, AND for the rear axle weight to keep the rear wheels down.
If this pic makes you afeard that’s survival instinct.
AFAIK theres no way to actuate the towed vehicle brakes.
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb
Last edited by Sodo on Tue Jun 11, 2019 11:50 am; edited 1 time in total |
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bobbyblack
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4351
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 11:12 am Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the Vanagon |
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There is a device out there, I can't put my fingers on a link just now, but it has a sensor that goes on the front vehicle's brake pedal/actuator and a box that you attach in the towed vehicle that has a brake pedal pusher. It was a lot of money, from memory.
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9610
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 11:24 am Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the Vanagon |
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| bobbyblack wrote: |
| There is a device out there, I can't put my fingers on a link just now, but it has a sensor that goes on the front vehicle's brake pedal/actuator and a box that you attach in the towed vehicle that has a brake pedal pusher. It was a lot of money, from memory. |
Maybe a driver in the towed vehicle?
If you can do it with a rope, its somewhat better/safer with a towbar.
I'd want a foot on the brakes to tow downhill out of the mountains on gravel.
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 11:33 am Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the Vanagon |
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nah, they have a device that goes in the Tow'd that clamps in by the seat and pushes on the tow'd car brake pedal.
I did mention to mom as I tow'd her van
8 wheels
~8,ooo #s
4 brakes.
in the 1ooo miles I towed down and back the east coast including some I-95 at DC. I only had one officer look close as he rolled by and one 'evasive' maneuver as a driver waffled crossing my lane in front of me..
being the towing driver you pick a line and stick with it.. well.. mostly.
having years of experience towing loads and operating trucks. (not grocery getter experience) helps.
final thing on this thread is GOOD ON YOU SODO for carrying your emergency tow apparatus with you.
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| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9610
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 12:00 pm Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the Vanagon |
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Wonder how that thing can know how hard to push on the pedal?
Seems like it would require feedback from a tow-hitch servo.
Pedal pressure required if engine is not running can be “substantial”.
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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danfromsyr
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Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9610
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 2:11 pm Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the Vanagon |
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| Sodo wrote: |
Wonder how that thing can know how hard to push on the pedal?
Seems like it would require feedback from a tow-hitch servo.
Pedal pressure required if engine is not running can be “substantial”. |
Dan that was interesting. Most of them use inertial sensors, They detect deceleration of the tow vehicle and apply whatever brake pedal force it takes to increase the braking. They cost $1100 - $1500 and take a few hours to install.
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22668
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: Building a towbar to carry on the Vanagon |
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For $1000 you get a dolly with a surge brake ( Synchros need not apply)
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