In a message dated 25/07/2009 7:59:19 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

        Ed, depends on the  struts.  The ones I sell and use do not fly
open.  The hatch can be  set at an opening you choose and it will stay there.
How long they last  depends on their quality and how may times you open them
in extreme cold  weather.  The major difference between two HD struts and
one of each is  that the hatch will be a bit harder to close but I do not
find that a  problem.  If you pull slowly and steadily it comes down without a
problem,  but if you try to close it quickly the resistance builds up more
in the  struts and it become harder to close.

>>>>>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?<<<<<

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://frankcondelli.com/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://frankcondelli.com/busindex.html)  -
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://frankcondelli.com/exhaust.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://www.busfusion.com/)  a VW Camper  camping event,
Almonte, ON, June 11 ~ 14,  2009