David,

A few years back, I picked up an 84 Gl from a friend.  Now we all knew
it had lived a hard life, but I put head gaskets on it & stripped out
the rear seats & heater core.  My friend had installed some K-Mart tires
that are no where close to specs., and they are still on it.

Now dubbed "the work truck", I proceeded to us it to haul materials for
the loft that I built into my warehouse. I filled the interior to the
roof with such things as 2X4's & 2X6's, dry wall, plumbing supplies,
etc..  I also had a pair of Thule (sp?) roof racks on it.  I had those
roof racks full of copper pipe, 2" gas line, etc..  The best haul though
was a 2400 LB. load of 20' steel studs.  Strapped on to the racks,
overhanging both front & rear, and rolling down the interstate.

Keep your speed down & haul it.

Walt Spak
Pittsburgh PA
84 GL (my 19th Vanagon)

David Kao wrote:

>I anticipate a need to haul a load of about 700 kgs of stuff for
>60 miles on the freeway. I have done it before for about 500 kgs.
>But this time it will be about 700 kgs. My tires are reinforced
>tires with at least half of the tread remaining. Can a Westy with
>a 1.9 WBX engine handle such a load? It's not a question about
>if the engine is able to haul such a weight. It is a question
>about the Westy chassis. Will such a weight cause any damage
>to the suspension (rear and front) of a 83.5 Westy? Maybe I
>should use a trailer instead. I believe it will be fine if I use
>a trailer.
>
>David
>
>
>