Cow-catchers for the VW Transporter

To All:

Basic message is that they don't work. The Transporter body and frame
are too light to handle the impact.

So what works?

A 'Termite Bar,' which is the African version of a cow-catcher.
(Sometimes called 'Safari Bars.')

Why does it work? Because it consists of a complete crash-cage made of
welded steel tubing that extends all the way back to the rear axel. In
effect, it REPLACES the existing frame, using the torsion bars as the
hard-points, extending up to the roof-mounted cargo carrier (and
sunroof).

The purpose of the Safari Bar is to keep from running into termite
mounds concealed in the grass. A termite mound is about as hard as a
good grade of concrete, easily capable of wiping out a VW at any speed.
Even so, Safari Bars are only good up to maybe 20mph. Even that's
enough to leave you and the passengers plastered all over the
windscreen but you can usually limp the vehicle back to camp.

But forget a cow-catcher that will actually work with real cows when
you're doing anything more a walking pace. Basic physics sez you'll
lose.

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So what works in Baja?

Sleep on it. Only drive during the day. Or wait for the Three Gold
Stars to blow by and try to ride drag.

But if you feel you've absolutely positively gotta do Dago to
Finistierra in 24 hours (about 940 miles) The best method is to start
early -- 0300 or so and try to get to Catavina about dawn. (You won't
-- not in a Type II -- but go ahead and try :-) You've only got a
couple of sections of open range between the border and El Rosario; you
can maintain a pretty good average.) If you keep it rolling you'll hit
La Paz about dark. If you're heading for the Cape, the fly country
between La Paz & Todos Santos is mostly fenced, but try to keep a truck
in front of you. From Todos Santos down to the Cape is only another
hour or so and there's only two sections of unfenced range. If you
take the other route out of La Paz (to del Cabo), good luck.
Bob Hoover
(1965 bus; lotsa time south of the Line)