Date:         Thu, 17 Jan 2002 21:43:07 +0000
Reply-To:     Paul Mayfield <paulmayfield@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Paul Mayfield <paulmayfield@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Vgon Crash Tests: no crush zones?
In-Reply-To:  <200201172048.u4fa96.9jo.37tiu0o@eagle>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

The ARB will not provide a crush zone.
This is unlike any brushgard you've seen on
SUVs.
It's as solid as the rock of Gibraltar.

If smacked into something with enough force
to bend it, it will surely bend the frame.

I was thinking a bullbar would prevent any intrusion
to the feet and legs during an accident and guide
the momentum up over the other vehicle instead of
directly into the greatest mass. The
lower extremities are most often severely injured in
collisions. The idea is to use whatever you're hitting
absorb the shock, since there is no way to home brew
a crumple zone on the Vanagon.
(how about bolting a honda 600 on the front!)

The ARB is also an excellent visual cue
to people who may think of cutting in front of you.
(Honda drivers with 12 inch tailpipes and racing decals
are the exception)

Yes, the ARB is legal in all states.
but not for long. Rumor has it that the European
laws will only allow 'soft' bullbars (plastic)
and the USA will soon follow.
ANyone know more about these new regulations?

Paul '87 Westy with tiny foil bumpers.

> From:    Robert Dalton <dieselsong@YAHOO.COM>
> Subject: Re: Vgon Crash Tests: no crush zones?
>
> Paul
>
> Fantastic idea!!!  I've been trying to visualize a way
> to get more crush zone on my Westy without making it
> look gosh awfull ugly.  I've also wondered how to
> calculate the amount of extra crush zone the vanagon
> needs.  I know the head injury number for a vanagon
> driver is quite high (around 2000).  It is somewhat
> better for eurovans (around 1200).  If we looked at
> the difference in crush zones between the two we might
> guess at how much more the vanagon needs.
> Unfortunately I keep thinking the vanagon could use a
> couple of extra feet of crush zone.  I don't know what
> laws apply to sticking an "SUV Catcher" out there two
> feet but I guess there would be some.  Is your
> assembly removable in case the state inspection people
> balk at the extra bars in the front?  We need to put
> out a call to some mechanical engineers for some
> advice on estimating the required extra vanagon crush
> zone.
>
> By the way you'll notice that the eurovan with air
> bags has never been crash tested to see how well the
> air bags work.  Personally I would rather satisfy the
> safety requirements of a vehicle by adding the proper
> crush zone than relying on an untested air bag.  I
> have a feeling that an untested air bag is just a band
> aid VW put in eurovans so the average consumer thinks
> he has a safe vehicle.
>
> Rob