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Date:         Sun, 14 Nov 2004 12:15:25 -0800
Reply-To:     jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff at Vanagonparts <jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Weight Capacity
In-Reply-To:  <BDBD1EC6.2F53%Greg@pottsfamily.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Greg,

You're absolutely correct. The majority of these vehicle were built as work trucks and not people haulers. The factory maximum vehicle weights are the result of in-depth testing by VW and verification by the TUV (and probably the DOT).

I have an '84 that I use exclusively as a work truck and I've loaded it fairly close the max as well with no adverse affects. That's what these vehicles were built for regardless of personal opinions.

Cheers,

Jeff

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf Of Greg Potts Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2004 11:40 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Weight Capacity

Hi Robert,

I am not "using up" the bus's suspension by using it for something it was designed to do. Nor am I loading it in an unsafe manner. A ton of cement is only about 21 cubic feet... That's 4' x 5' piled only 13" deep in the midsection of my baywindow. A one-ton load of common red bricks would only be 16 cubic feet, which would pile even lower. Nothing short of a solid wall or a thick tree are going to make any of this cargo hit you from behind, and in that case you would face injury from the front enough to make the head injury seem merciful. If you're still wworried, put on a hardhat.

Bonus 1 : The lowered center of gravity created by a load of cement aboard on actually made the bus sway less while cornering. Not that I was cornering anywhere near the speeds I would have driven with a lesser load on, but it was noticeable.

Bonus 2: With the suspension loaded up my bus actually rides smoother... Much more like the plush ride that the vanagon pilot woulld be used to. My backbone actually appreciated the additional cargo.

Like I said, it's not for everyone. But personally, I appreciate the versatility of my bus and make use of it wherever possible.

Happy trails,

Greg Potts Toronto, Ontario, Canada

1973/74/79 Westfakia Conversion **Bob the Tomato** LY3H 1977 Sunroof Automatic L63H/L90D http://www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia http://www.busesofthecorn.com

On 11/14/04 1:33 PM, "' '" <rrecardo@webtv.net> wrote:

> I'll keep my head on my shoulder's, save my vehicle's suspension, and > back bone for more pleasurable things.


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