Actually, the bd heavy duty struts I just installed are just about
perfect... nice and stiff, but not too stiff.  No need to combine with one
regular support.  I just hope they last.

Mick
Hilo, Hawaii

----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Townsend <townsend@RTP.ERICSSON.SE>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 2:33 AM
Subject: Re: rear hatch struts report

> I think it is a good thing.  I bought a pair of tbd "heavy duty" hatch
> struts, (aka nautilus workout system) and had to close the gate very
> slowly.  I instinctively thought that "heavy duty" was better, and it
> didn't even cross my mind that "heavy duty" was for those with the
Paulchen
> bike racks only!  My wife was barely heavy enough to pull the hatch down!
> I have since ordered a regular strength tbd hatch strut and have been
using
> one of each.  It is much better now, but probably still too stiff for
those
> of us who don't have a bike rack.  Therefore, I bought a second
> regular-strength one to put on.  In the winter, when the hatch struts
don't
> seal as well, I'll probably go to one of each.  For the summer, I am
> thinking that two regular-strength struts will be what I am looking for.
> Maybe if the newer heavy duty ones are slightly less stiff, then one of
> each is the best compromise for year-round use.
>
> Michael
> Durham, NC
>
> ----------
> > From: Mick Kalber <hotlava@INTERPAC.NET>
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: rear hatch struts report
> > Date: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 1:51 AM
> >
> > ron...
> >
> > just wanted to let you know that I wasn't dissing the bd heavy duty
> struts
> > on the list by any means... but I was surprised that they weren't quite
> as
> > tough to close... but maybe that's a good thing.
> >
> > Mick
> > Hilo, Hawaii
>