Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2005 08:15:10 -0700
Reply-To: Vanagon <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Vanagon <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Subject: Re: '88 Westy: Towing Capacity?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
It is also vital that you do not put too much of the weight in the trailer
behind the trailer wheels. This will lighten up the tongue and the trailer
will get into WILD FISHTAILING usually right about the time you decide to
change lanes at 55mph.
Proper trailer loading will get a balance with a bias TOWARDs the hitch for
stability.
Best test is feel the weight of the tongue when you attach it to the hitch,
the bigger the load in the trailer the more of the max tongue weight you
will need to use for stability. Light loads you can get a way with less, its
proportional but ALWAYS bias towards the hitch. DONT BE A FISH on the
freeway you wont like it.
Also watch out for "shifting" loads. If a heavy item moves to the back of
the trailer while underway it will unload the tongue and the trailer will
start to fishtail.
Doug
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joy Hecht" <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 10:36 PM
Subject: Re: '88 Westy: Towing Capacity?
> What does "tongue weight" refer to in these figures?
>
>
> Joy
>
> ****************************************************************
> Joy Hecht
> and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
>
> For musings about life and the vanadventures:
> http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
>
> ****************************************************************
>
> :::-----Original Message-----
> :::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
> :::Of Don in North Carolina
> :::Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 4:58 PM
> :::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> :::Subject: Re: '88 Westy: Towing Capacity?
> :::
> :::On 6/2/05, Chris Paquette <cxp36@yahoo.com> wrote:
> :::> When I bought my '88 Westy, the PO had put a trailer hitch on it.
This
> :::> always struck me as highly optimistic, as the little 4 cylinder, 100
> :::> horsepower engine seems to have its hands full just propelling itself
> :::> around, much less pulling a load.
> :::>
> :::> However, a need has arisen and if possible, I'd like to attach a
small
> :::> U-haul type trailer to it and move 25-30 boxes or various sizes
(books,
> :::> dishes, clothes, etc.) from California to Washington state. Anyone
done
> :::any
> :::> towing with their Westy? Is it asking too much of the engine, or is
> :::this
> :::> actually feasible?
> :::>
> :::>
> :::> Cheers,
> :::> Chris Paquette
> :::
> :::FYI,
> :::
> :::From the owners manual - 1986 and up (not sure if the early Vanagons
are
> :::different, I assume the aircooled would be):
> :::
> :::Maximum braked trailer weight - 900kg (2,000 lb)
> :::Maximum unbraked trailer weight - 600kg (1,320 lb)
> :::Maximum tongue weight - 75kg (165 lb)
> :::
> :::Note that there is no difference shown between the Syncro and the
> :::passenger
> :::van. Not sure if the camper supplement shows a lower number or not.
> :::
> :::Also, you have to take into account the type of hitch you have (I
> :::wouldn't trust the tow-loop mounted ones for over 1000 Lbs.) and the
> :::condition of your brakes / engine / transmission, keeping in mind that
> :::these recommendations are for a NEW vehicle...
> :::
> :::--
> :::Don in Reidsville, NC
> :::1986 Kawasaki Concours
> :::1988 Vanagon GL (Sylvia)
> :::"Why do they call it a fixed income, if mine is always broke?"
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