Date:         Sun, 9 Oct 2005 01:16:54 +1300
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon use question
In-Reply-To:  <6da579340510070811p4a607211p56715b1c3650e004@mail.gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=us-ascii

>  > After all these 'discussions' on tires I was wondering if anyone was
>>  using their Vanagon as a work truck?
>>
>
>Probably not very common practice in the US, being that the stupid "chicken
>tax" kept us from getting proper windowless, carpetless, work truck variants
>here. I've been using mine as an occasional work vehicle lately as it
>actually gets better gas mileage than the '79 3/4ton Dodge van I normally
>use. I don't haul anything heavy around in it though-- just a couple
>ladders, a few boxes/reels of wire, and my tools. If I'm doing serious
>electrical work I take the Dodge, mostly because it's already loaded with
>750-odd pounds of all the parts, fittings, and tools I MIGHT need. I'd
>actually consider replacing it with a Vanagon if I could get one of those
>bare-bones 1.6 turbo diesel panel vans they DIDN'T sell here.

Why not buy a bus, fit a diesel and strip the interior out? Vans with
no side or rear windows are plain dangerous (no visibility in parking
& traffic), so a normal stripped van would be far better.

To save damage to the sides & floor, fit hardboard or thin ply side
panels and make a wooden floor to spread loads. Beware, added
flooring traps moisture... rust.
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut

HUMANITY: THE ULTIMATE VON NEUMANN MACHINE

DEMOCRACY: RULE BY THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR