Scott,
   Are you saying that there are 3 different strengths, strong ,
medium, and weak?

Larry A.

On 7/25/09, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> I wouldn't say strength and life of the struts are  related particularly.
> or stated another way, I sure would not want to wait 5 years for an extra
> strong one to be about right finally. And besides, it would be near the end
> of its life then anyway.
> but you sure do not want too strong ones ......
> that makes it way too hard to close.
> What I do is order 'the medium one' .
> Then I test how much strength is left in each strut, and replace the weaker
> one.  That often turns out quite nicely.
> then I write the date on the one I just installed, so next time I know which
> one is the older more-worn-out one.
> works for me.
>
> on rare occasion, I've had to juggle struts between two or 3 vans to get all
> 2 or 3 rear hatches that stay up nicely, and aren't too hard to close
> either.
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
> ---- Original Message -----
> From: "Edward Maglott" <emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2009 3:35 PM
> Subject: hatch struts: 2 strong ones or 1?
>
>
>>I don't intend to put a rack on my back hatch.  I've read that 2
>> strong ones can make the hatch fly up when you open it.  I've read
>> that one strong and one weak will let you leave the hatch partly open
>> and it will stay.  I've read that 2 strong ones last longer than one
>> of each.  Is all that true?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Edward
>