Date:         Thu, 14 Dec 2006 16:43:23 -0500
Reply-To:     Phil Zimmerman <philzimm1@OBERON.ARK.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Phil Zimmerman <philzimm1@OBERON.ARK.COM>
Subject:      Re: Any body ever manage to break the westy luggage rack ?

On Thu, 14 Dec 2006 08:11:48 -0800, TC <trclark@SHAW.CA> wrote:

>Has any body been able to crack the standard luggage rack by overloading it?
>
TC,
Not in my experience.... yet?
Carried a pair of AC Heads and associated pistons & rod parts over some rough gravel roads for a
week once. No damage. Like the previous post, I routinely sit, kneel, crawl and stand in mine... at
160#!
Believe the weight capacity is limited to 75 Kg (165#) sez Westfalia.

Mine was cracked on one forward, inside corner, from the PO.
Did the GRP repair... used epoxy instead of polyester resin though.
Reinforced the tie-down and attachment points with a couple layers of cloth.
The theory (wild-ass guess really) being, in the event of a crash, the tie-down and
attachment points are the weak-link of the assembly. The tray-part looks pretty skookum.
My untested concern is in GRP gets brittle over time.... and our puppies aren't getting any
younger.

Conversely, use wimpy tie-down straps? Some flex seems Ok and will absorb the shock of the
road and an unforgivable crash. Too wimpy, the load will fly out of the carrier, dissipating the
forces all over the road but save the carrier? Ooh yeah, I gotta share the road with other folks....
tie-down securely and be careful out on the road!

Phil Z.