Garry and List,

There are a couple different configurations of the hatch struts and it
really depends on what you want the hatch to do.  If you sole concern is
weight on the hatch then you want a pair of the heavy duty struts
(251829332).  These will hold the hatch up better than any other struts
available because they have the strongest gas charge.  The downside is that
the hatch is stiffer to open, and stiffer to close.  If you have a wife that
weighs less than 100 lbs (me) or is not very tall, she will have a more
difficult time opening and closing the rear hatch.  

You can also get two different hatch struts (251829332 and 251829331B).
With one of these on each side you get a couple of things.  Instead of
having to pull the hatch open the whole way (as with the heavy duty struts),
if you open the hatch a little it will self open the rest of the way (unless
you have weight on it).  Also when you go to close the hatch you will have
much less resistance.  So this configuration is easier to open and easier to
close.  A light woman will have no problem opening and closing the rear
hatch (I have found if something keeps my wife happy it makes my life better
as well but that is just me).  I like it better myself so that is why I sell
that combo instead of promoting the stiffer pair of HD struts.  

If you are still concerned about the weight on the rear hatch a simple fix
is to install a piece of PVC pipe that will just fit over the outside of the
hatch strut black section.  Put the hatch up at it full open position,
measure the length of the thin steel part of the hatch strut.  Cut the piece
of pvc to that length and install it over the thin piece of hatch strut.  It
will cock and prevent the hatch from closing.  To close the hatch simply
push this piece so that it starts to slide over the thick, black part of the
strut.  As you close the hatch it will slide over the thick part and allow
the hatch to close with no interference.  That way when you have a heavy
load on the rear hatch, the load will be on this piece of pipe instead of
the hatch strut prolonging the life of your struts.

So if you go with the two different struts and the piece of pipe, you get
the best of both worlds.  Easy to open and close, and strong enough to hold
up any load you would want to put on it.  Just FYI.  I sell the struts if
you want to order a set.

Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
http://www.strictlyvwauctions.com
http://www.eurovan.org
http://www.vwcabrio.org
Phone: (856)-327-4936
Fax: (856)-327-2242 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
garyowen
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 9:17 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 85 Vanagon head thumper

Anyone have suggestion on gas tubes that should hold rear door up.

They don't seem to survive cold winters.

Are there preferred quality/types/brands recommended for replacement?

Care of future units?

Garry