Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2000 12:29:54 -0700
Reply-To: Richard O'Halloran <ohalloran@IATRONET.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard O'Halloran <ohalloran@IATRONET.NET>
Subject: Re: Four Bicycle Carrier (Need German Translation)
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<SNIP>
I checked the label on my Paulchen rack a little more closely. It reads:
max. belastung 40 kg
mit belastungsverst=E4kern u.
verstenungstrenan 70 kg
Alta Vista came up with a partial translation:
max. load 40 kg with belastungsverstaekern u. verstenungstrenan 70 kg
Any German speakers care to translate further?
<SNIP>
"max. belastung 40 kg" means maximum carrying capacity 40 kg.
The other bit I'm pretty sure should read "mit Belastungsverstaerker und
Versteifungsstreben".
"mit Belastungsverstaerker" means with additional load supports. These are
the foot pieces that attach to the bottom of the base mounting unit and that
rest on the bumper and take up a lot of the weight. They have those neat
little round bases that swivel.
"Versteifungsstreben" means stiffening struts. These only come with the
extension rack that allows you to carry a third or even a fourth bike. They
are two stiffening metal bands that are attached to the cross strut of the
loading platform (the shelf that folds up on the original unit that carries
the first two bikes) and below to the base mounting unit. When these
stiffening bands are attached the shelf cannot be folded up. The extension
rack attaches to the 2 bike carrier to extend it to carry a third or fourth
bike. The extension rack for the third or fourth bike can fold up.
The instructions for my base mounting unit (model no. 11212 for VW Bus Build
years from 1980 to Sept 1990) clearly state that the carrying capacity is 70
kg.
I think what this all means is that the base mounting unit is capable of
supporting a load of 70 kg. The usual two bike carrier that is attached to
the base mounting unit (the 2 trombone handles) has a load capacity of 40
kg. If you get the extension to carry a third or fourth bike (more trombone
handles!) then you must use the additional load supports and the stiffening
struts to carry a further 30 kg on the extension to give a maximum load
capacity of 70 kg. The base mounting unit can take it. They state quite
clearly that the heaviest bike should be mounted nearest the door and the
lightest bike furthest out on the extension - that makes sense.
Hope this helps. Good luck
Rich
90 Westy
