Receiver hitch for Vanagon w/ Subaru conversion?

[Bikechunk]

Hello! I have a question for everyone. I’m looking for a receiver that would mount to the van with my Subaru conversion. I’m looking to mount bikes on a Yakima 4 inch attachment. Should I get a bumper with a receiver or is there an attachment for the Subaru conversions?

[dobryan]

You want a bumper with the hitch receiver. Van Cafe sells a good one.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

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[shagginwagon83]

I was able to reuse my GoWesty hitch with my Subaru conversion because I used the Small car engine mounting kit.

I use a heavy Yakima Full Swing with two bikes. I wouldn't put any more weight than that. I plan on buying a Van Cafe bumper that has an integrated hitch.

If you want a very strong hitch:
https://burleymotorsports.net/?s=hitch&post_type=product
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[Crooked Designer]

GW steel bumper with the integrated hitch works great with Subaru conversion. I have a North Shore NSR 4 and it works great. Don't need the swing away.
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'85 Westy full camper, Subaru 2.5L, 5 speed SubiGears + 5speedbus shifter kit

[Bikechunk]

Thanks! I’ll look for the Least expensive option out of these 😊. I’m a 17 year old so money is kinda short 🤷🏼‍♂️

[vanis13]

[SCM]

Not sure if this is cheaper than the ones built into bumpers but worth a look

https://burleymotorsports.net/product/heavy-duty-high-clearance-trailer-hitch/
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[valvecovergasket]

[vanis13]

[fxr]

To take any sort of weight, whatever hitch is fitted must have all three bolts fitted each side. AFAIK, only the Vancafe and Burley hitches have this as standard. Hitches that only rely on the rear two holes (like many that are sold integral with new steel bumpers) will sag at an angle as soon as any sensible load is applied.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[vanis13]

[Vanuber]

Not sure how a Subaru conversion changes things, but...

I think the Van Cafe hitch is the winner. It connects to the frame and is powder coated. Looks good, integrated. Price is not unreasonable. The downside is you have to trim a section out of the bumper and trim it.

Burley Hitch - great reviews and seems bomb-proof, but it is not finished! Raw steel, not painted or powder coated. Add powder coating, product, and shipping costs and it is quite expensive. You also have to trim the bumper here.

GW - Bolts onto tow loops. Not as strong or very good looking, but less expensive.

Or, if you have the cash go with the Van Cafe Twin Peaks bumpers.
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'85 Westfalia 1.9L
'72 BMW R75/5
'71 BMW R75/5
'02 Subaru Forester 2.5L

[Bikechunk]

Thanks! I’ll take a look. Subaru is different because the normal hitch receiver for the Vanagons attaches to the engine mount that isn’t there with the Subaru engine

[vanis13]

[Vanuber]

[Vanuber]

[syncrodoka]

Some subaru conversions reuse the factory moustache bar but it is pushed to the rear a bit. The GW hitch attaches to the vanagon bumper hooks with a a support bar that attaches to the moustache bar so it would have to be redrilled for the new engine position. I was unimpressed by the support bar so I remade it a little different with heavier gauge bar stock with better weld practices, at that point redrilling would be a minor detail. If the subaru conversion eliminates that bar then some kind of bumper hitch would need to be used.

[space]

I welded a 2" receiver to the oem hitch
Works great with the subi install
Welded and bolted to the "rails"
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82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs

[njg02]

[4Gears4Tires]

If you don't have money, you have to get creative.

A bit of cutting and welding and a Jeep Wrangler bumper with an integrated hitch fits pretty nicely. I think it was around $200.

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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition