What I have is one of the support PVC's on both sides.  I usually only use
one...either one, but if and when I know I'll be messing around back there
or if it is really windy, I engage both of them.  And when I have my bikes
on the rack that is on my hatch, I also use my patented hatch stick.
  See it here....     http://picasaweb.google.com/dhanson928/VanagonMods#

with the little dowel and the hole in the hatch to accept that, the rear
hatch can not get blown or bumped and come crashing down...which it would do
with 3 bikes and 5 wheels on the rack and that would hurt.

  Don Hanson

On Tue, Jul 27, 2010 at 4:23 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi all.
>
> While on the road with Phil and Bernie, we made a new PVC bit for
> Bernies hatch. Ended up being a little short, but worked. (the best
> part was the salesman at the building supply store getting on the horn
> asking an employee to cut a 6.5" piece of PVC   ;)
>
> This has been discussed I'm sure, but I can see how the PVC could be
> bumped out of the way while in use. It occurred to me that there might
> be room for one to slip something ( a 10mm bolt ?) between the PVC and
> strut (at strut housing end) while it's in use. Maybe keep this
> "something" handy by attaching to curtain strap or rail? I would
> imagine the pressure of all parts combined would keep the chosen
> "something" in place.
>
> Of course this isn't the right way to fix the hatch strut(s) (IMO) but
> just a thought,
>
> Neil.
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>