My 87 Westy is getting 16mpg with a 14 gallon tank so I'm getting less range than you thought was ridiculous on your motor home!

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> On Jul 21, 2014, at 18:12, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Not only the NHTSA but also EPA or other compliance issues. The vehicle and
> the emission control system including the vapor recovery is designed for
> that size tank. Back in 1998 I tried to upgrade the tank on my 1992 Ford
> E-350 based motorhome. It had a 35 gallon tank and at 7 to 7.5 mpg gallon
> the range was ridiculous. A 55 gallon tank was an option from the factory so
> I ordered the tank and related parts from the dealer. When I went to pick
> the stuff up I had to provide the VIN. Sale denied!
> 
> Dennis
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Stuart MacMillan
> Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2014 8:28 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Replacement fuel tank question
> 
> I suspect that fuel tanks have to pass NHTSA testing as done by the
> manufacturer in their vehicle crash tests, which is why VW didn't change the
> design two years into production.  No aftermarket supplier is going to take
> on this liability either.
> 
> Stuart
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Roy Nicholl [mailto:RNicholl@NBNET.NB.CA]
> Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2014 5:20 PM
> To: Stuart MacMillan
> Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Replacement fuel tank question
> 
> 
> I find it strange that the aftermarket providers who continue to manufacture
> fuel tanks for these vehicles continued to keep the "saddle" in their
> construction.   A few quick measurements of the tank dropped from the '88
> indicates one could expect 14-18 additional litres of fuel if they were not
> there and the tank would be simpler to manufacture.
> 
> 
>> On 20-Jul-2014, at 20:50, Stuart MacMillan wrote:
>> 
>> No, and blame Volkswagen for introducing the vanagon with the obsolete
>> air cooled engine.  Was not worth it for them to re-tool for a couple
>> more gallons of gas.
>> 
>> Stuart
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>> Behalf Of Roy Nicholl
>> Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2014 12:28 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Replacement fuel tank question
>> 
>> All,
>> 
>> Does anyone make a replacement fuel tank for the water-cooled Vanagon
>> w/o the cavities/moulded passages for the air-cooled heater pipes.
>> While I appreciate the needs of the air-heads, I would prefer the
>> extra range this capacity could provide if that volume was on the
>> inside
> of the tank.
>>