Good point about the traction Don.

I'm thinking that:

(1) - the inline four is heavier than the WBX and helps shift the weight
bias rearward.
(2) - the slant puts more weight on the L/R wheel and your shim job helped
to load the R/R better.

We need more folks to weigh their vans like that; Front & Rear separate.

Thanks, Jake

On 9/25/07, Don Hanson <dhanson@gorge.net> wrote:
>
>    Yes, 165lb driver aboard.  Weighed on an ODOT highway scale near
> Lakeveiw, Oregon . One that remains on all the time.  I've used it before as
> I've passed that way.  It only gives #50 increments.  With the van's short
> wheelbase, I could get the whole deal on at one time.  With a pickup, you
> have to weigh axle by axle and add the sums.
>   Unrelated:   was the fact that by shimming up my van's right rear
> spring, my traction is noticeably better as tested on my way up a clay/silt
> two track to a campsite on this trip.  Pre- adjustment...no way..this time,
> no problem.
>   Unrelated #2:  My fridge didn't go out the whole trip despite windy
> conditions all the time.
>   Unrelated #3:  Higher tire pressures gave me acceptable directional
> stability this time down US 395..#58psi front and ~#54psi rear, right in
> keeping with the weight distribution.
>   Unrelated #4:  Average MPG was just over 23mpg and the major passes
> could be negotiated at 65mph uphill, with a bit of finesse and some luck
> with other vehicles as you climbed.  When slowed at the bottom of a grade, I
> could get back to 65-70 mph eventually by backshifting to 4th and leaving it
> there to higher rpms...no tach, and a diesel 5 speed manual tranny inline 4
> gas motor.
>   Don Hanson
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com>
> *To:* Don Hanson <dhanson@gorge.net>
> *Cc:* vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 25, 2007 11:31 AM
> *Subject:* Re: trip report, Portland, Oregon>Bishop, Ca. return.
>
> Sounds like good fun, except for the alternator part.
>
> Was that weight with driver aboard?
>
> Thanks, Jake
>
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com