Thanks, Jim. 

I'm 99-44/100 percent sure that this stretchy strap that parted was the Airhead part you linked to. 

Sent from my smartphone with tiny screen & even tinier keypad.

On Jul 16, 2011, at 9:50 PM, Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@gmail.com> wrote:

> As far as I know, all Assist Straps, even ones that are/were sold at
> the dealers in the past 20+ years or so have been made by VW do Brazil
> for their Brazil, Mexico & South African production and parts
> replacements.  Haven't seen an OE German one in decades.  I use these
> on my 84 Westy and they handle my rather bulky (220+lb) weight when
> being used - replaced them about 12 years ago because they were
> missing when I got it.  Yeah, a bit stretchy, but no breaky.....
> 
> http://www.airheadparts.com/vintage-vw-parts/assist-strap/assist-strap-black-pair-113857611-e-bkpr
> 
> My 84 GL still has the OG straps in like new condition.
> -- 
> Jim Thompson
> 84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
> 84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
> 72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
> 75 914 1.8 "Nancy"
> Full Timing Since March 1999
> oldvolkshome@gmail.com
> http://www.oldvolkshome.com
> ***********************************
> On Sat, Jul 16, 2011 at 11:15 AM, Vanagon <camping.elliott@gmail.com> wrote:
>> The OEM grab loop inside my '84's sliding door finally came apart last year. I replaced it with one I found online somewhere. Unlike the OEM loop, which had a core of what looked like cotton cord, the replacement has no such core and it's stretchy. It parted this morning, nearly sending me tumbling, so I need to find a proper one to replace it. Who sells the good ones?
>> 
>> Sent from my smartphone with tiny screen & even tinier keypad.