For the sake of clarity, my ASI camper has a diesel engine and 5 speed
tranny.  My observations are mostly subjective.  I have one each of
Westfalia and ASI campers, both diesels.  My friend's sister has a
diesel passenger van.  The difference in suspension performance between
the three of them is quite large.  Compared to the Westfalia and the
passenger van, my ASI van has a very soft suspension.  I have driven
both of the campers fully loaded and empty.  The Westy carries the load
much better.  I can only attribute this to properly rated springs.  If
it works for you, great.  I would prefer that the springs were a bit
stiffer on the ASI.  VW lists several different springs for the
Vanagons.  They use a small paint spot on one of the coils near the
center to indicate which type it is.  The color code eludes me at the
moment.  It is on the ETKA CD.

Mike Snow

Jeff and Deb wrote:
>
> Hmmm, I have an 86 ASI conversion with the ASI top, propane tank,
> furnace,stove top, water tank, refrigerator, and water cooled engine (that I
> assume weighs a bit more than your air cooled version).  I have never looked
> at the rear springs, but with new "C" rated tires by Kirkland and run of the
> mill KYB shocks that I got from Bus Depot, it seemed to handle very well
> this summer with my family of 3 and quite a bit of gear all through our
> 3,000 mile trip we took on the Alaska highway, and then on up to  Fairbanks,
> Anchorage the Kenai Peninsula, and back. These roads were full of pot holes
> and dips by lower 48 standards.
> How would one tell if they have "Camper" duty springs?
> Jeff Hartman
> Juneau, AK
>