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:  <ccafde090510071036o496f692cw3b3d71be91cfbd43@mail.gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=us-ascii

>  I use my 1982 Tristar Syncro Doublecab w/o the optional Doka body or the
>optional Syncro drivetrain for hauling all kinds of crap. =) The rear bench
>has been replaced with a sturdy plywood platform level with the rear deck.
>It's basically an empty van.

BenT uses thew wood floor to stop the house foundations from scraping
the metal floor. Well, he sells houses... BenT, how DO you fit those
3-story mansions in the van? Tell us your technique...

>  I also use my 89 Syncro 16 Doka which I use to haul engines, and other
>Vanagon parts as many who came to VOR can attest to. I had a turbodiesel
>engine, Porsche 901 trans, and a bunch of tires in the cargo bed.

I have carried engines and loads of 29 Chev parts, furniture, tools,
motorcycles (say a Honda 750 Four and SL100 at the same time... in a
57 Split), well over a ton of boulders, camping gear, rock & fossil
collections & collecting gear, loads of books (paper is HEAVY), up to
16 people, you name it. Have van, can carry. But it is necesary to
have the seats out for this in a LWB van. The XLWB Hiace can have 2
rows of seats (stock XLWB bus has 5 rows) in place and still have a
SWB vanload of space left over for cargo...

>  > > Darn surprising they didn't make a panel Vanagon.
>>  >
>>  >
>>
>>  of course they did.. they even sold them in your country, but not ours..
>>
>>  chris
>
>  Chris,
>  Of course they did, My friend bought one from Los Angeles and drive it to
>San Francisco.
>  OK, so it was first driven down from our 51st State.
>  BenT

I didn't know you could drive to the mainland US from Australia.
Well, someone DID take an amphibious Jeep across...

>Yes. I believe I mentioned it in an earlier post. Picked up 9 sheets 4 x 8 x
>5/8 fir T & G ply (inside) and 20- 2 x 10 x 16 footers and 6 @ 2 x 6 x 16
>pressure treat (on top) yesterday and delivered them to the site. Usual
>assortment of air tools, power tools, hand tools and assorted paraphernalia
>inside. Also one slightly fat 185 lb carpenter. Bridgestone Turanza T
>195/75-14 @ 44psi  F & R. Approx. 1500 lbs on top and 850 lbs cargo inside.

And  that was with his Jetta...
--
Regards
Andrew