Ron,

I am replying on list so that everyone knows that I am still a satisfied
customer. Since the VW struts at a much higher price lasted about the same
time, I still am OK.

Why I don't think that they will last much longer is subjective.  What I
see is that without thinking about it, I find myself pushing up on the
hatch a second time just after I open it.  The hatch doesn't slowly sink as
when the struts totally fail, but there is more sag then there should be.
 I have not bothered to see if it's just one strut that's failing, and I
will just replace both when the sinking starts since both were probably
from the same lot anyway.

It is possible that the shorter life is due to the high temperatures in
Phoenix.  Here if I leave a tool out in the sun in the summer time, I can't
pick it up without gloves.  The Vanagon sits out in the sun all day every
day.

Thanks for your concern.

Mike