Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 13:33:11 -0400
Reply-To: vw4x4@FYI.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Zeno <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Subject: Re: Towing a Vanagon
In-Reply-To: <Pine.SOL.4.58.0405181315170.21717@rygar.gpcc.itd.umich.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
Jonathan,
Slick move. I have been working with the 1 ton Ford truck the last few
years. For what ever reason the Vans are much different than the Vans.
I had a 1 ton Van side by side with a 1 ton truck, and everything is
different.
go figure.
Eric
Jonathan Farrugia wrote:
>when i wanted to tow my vanagon from montana to michigan using a uhaul tow
>dolly i had some problems. i wanted to use a econoline 250 (3/4 ton) and
>they wouldn't let me. they said i needed at least a econoline 350 (1
>ton). we had both trucks at work at the time and i can tell you from
>working on them that there is really no difference between the two besides
>the rear springs. the brakes are the same on both. so my solution was to
>visit the junkyard and buy myself a set of econoline 350 badges for my 250
>and do some badge re-engineering. the uhaul people were happy and i made
>my tow with out any problems.
>
>jonathan
>
>On Tue, 18 May 2004, Doug in Calif wrote:
>
>
>
>>Warren,
>>That Tundra is full size truck? V8 with same track width as a full pick up I believe?
>>U-haul made no bones about using it to tow the vanagon on the dolly?
>>
>>Looks like I will have to trade in my ranger for a full size pickup if I want to rescue vanagons.
>>
>>I see no problem with towing the syncro as long as you remove the drive shaft first.
>>
>>Doug
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Warren McQuiggan
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2004 9:14 AM
>> Subject: Towing a Vanagon
>>
>>
>> I just recently (two weeks ago) towed a 1980 Vanagon from LA to Tucson on a
>> U-Haul Car dolly behind my Toyota Tundra. I was able to do 65-70mph all the
>> way across I-10 with no problems at all. I did disconnect the half shafts at
>> the rear wheels. The Tundra knew it was there but I thought it was an easy
>> tow all considered.
>>
>> Warren in Tucson
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Aristotle Sagan" <killer_jupiter@HOTMAIL.COM>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 2:49 PM
>> Subject: Re: What to do if you're really stranded in a Vanagon
>>
>>
>> > >
>> >
>> > Trust me, that was good advice the UHaul people gave you. I lied and towed
>> > home my 81 Westy with a 92 Toyota PU. Up hill and down. I knew about 10
>> > miles into this adventure I had made a big mistake, but what the heck. I
>> and
>> > the trucks survived. Coming down the pass into Silicon Valley sure was
>> > .."interesting". I have also towed it with a good sized Dodge 1500 PU and
>> > that truck never felt it.
>> >
>> >
>> > tim in san jose
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > > Jim,
>> > > At least you were stuck in a vanagon vs. some small car.
>> > > When my 89 gave up I car camped in it for a day in LA.
>> > > Walked to grocery store got some goods set up the table in the van and
>> > made
>> > > lunch.
>> > > Also pulled the curtains and got some good well needed rest till I had
>> > > arrangements for hauling it home.
>> > >
>> > > I did call U-Haul and guess what?
>> > > The will not allow you to tow a vanagon on a dolly with anything but a
>> > large
>> > > truck.
>> > > I have a Ranger 4wd and they would not allow me to use it to tow.
>> > >
>> > > I believe it would have been fine but their chart said the vanagon was a
>> > too
>> > > big to tow with my Ranger.
>> > >
>> > > Doug
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > ----- Original Message -----
>> > > From: Jim <mailto:JK@PROJECTDESIGN.COM> Kennedy
>> > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> > > Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 12:48 PM
>> > > Subject: What to do if you're really stranded in a Vanagon
>> > >
>> > > What to do if you're really stranded in a Vanagon, far from home and
>> > cannot
>> > > effect repairs.
>> > >
>> > > Once when traveling with my wife and 3 little people from Grand Junction
>> > > Colorado to home in San Diego in my '87 GL, it started doing the
>> Digifant
>> > > dive. Lurch, cough, blah. You haven't lived until you coast deadstick
>> to
>> > > the side of I-70 in Utah FAR from ANYTHING with your family of 5, on a
>> 100
>> > > degree summer day. Not even cellphone coverage. This was my first
>> > > experience with this kind of glitch, and I was clueless. Fortunately I
>> > was
>> > > able to get it to the next town (Salina). This is what you do. Get
>> ahold
>> > > of a Uhaul and TOW DOLLY and you are set. Expensive save, but it's just
>> a
>> > > good thing to remember...
>> > >
>> > > Jim
>> > > San Diego '87 GL
>> > >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
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