Warning based on experience.  It wasn't a Vanagon, but similar set-up which
rested in part on the glass of the rear hatch of a 1973 Bus (strap on job).
Three mountain bikes and one bump will break the seal on the hatch pretty
quick and may push the glass into the back seat.  Crash!

If you get the kind that mounts to the metal of the hatch you'll be just
fine.  That said, you won't (or at least I don't know of a way to) get a
swing arm that clears the rear hatch.  I'm planning on getting one of the
bumper/hitch mounted Thule versions with a swing arm.

MT

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Bob Stevens
Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2010 10:48 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Vanagonginity lost...

"A2: Don't try and mount four bikes on the hatch unless you want to replace
the hatch window.  The bumper (and/or frame depending on how you look at it)
will hold that weight."

Is that an opinion? Or factual experience? Was it difficult finding
replacement glass in your instance?

I had that Yakima roof rack mounted on the hatch for 7 years on 2 different
vans and had 4 bikes on there several times in the late 90's, early 00's and
never had any such incidents. Nothing about the rack comes in contact with
the glass and the towers/feet of the rack are planted on the stiffest, most
robust part of the entire hatch, just below where it curves downward, and at
the top of its "pyramid"
slope.

bob