Rolling over at any speed can turn loose objects in the vehicle into deadly
ballistic projectiles.  Of course you can't drive a camper van in the real
world without some stuff loose.  I keep a lot of heavy objects under that
bench, and I make sure the latch is good... I saw a guy killed in the Big
Bend open road race by his own fire extinguisher hitting him during a
rollover.
  For engineering in a weird way, ask someone with a Porsche 928 in their
past....

On Aug 14, 2016 1:03 AM, "Scott" <SCOTTDANIEL@turbovans.com> wrote:

> there's a LOT to question on VW german engineering ..
>
> like how theyFORCE you to do things their way.
> take the sliding door ..
> you open it from the outside with the outside handle.
> Wouldn't the same handle be a normal way to close the door when standing
> outside the van ?
> that would be 'normal.
>
> and you can close it with that outside handle...but not easily .  Very
> 'german' ..which drives me nuts sometimes.  Very rigid mentality.
>
> ( I still remember the first time I saw a 68 VW Bug Vent Window latch
> mechanizm ....in 1968.
> you have to twist the knob on the lever , then while holding the knob
> twisted, turn the lever to unlatch the vent window.  )
>
> don't get me started !  On a Porsche 944 ...if you just whip into a
> parking spot with the turn signal still on..and if it doesn't cancel
> ...when you turn off the engine the turn signal becomes a parking light
> on that side only !
> The turn signal lever becomes a parking light that you didn't want .
> VERY rigid and Very german.
>
> and ..why is that rear seat  latch even there on a Westy ??
> I generally remove mine.
> ( I can understand the factory wanting a latch there tho )
>
> Might be an issue in a roll=over, but it that happens ...there will be a
> lot more to be concerned about that the stuff under the rear seat
> falling out.
>
>
> anyway ...we love our vanagons of course !
> S.
>
> On 08/13/2016 11:32 AM, Karl Ploessl wrote:
>
>> what does German engineering have to do with that? Seems operator error
>> when installing a new cable? :-)
>>
>> Karl
>>
>> Karl
>> 1981 Westy "Jenny"
>> 2000 VW Jetta GLS VR6
>> Wilmington, DE
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 13, 2016 at 5:29 PM, Neil2 <vidublu@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Got it!  The cable I was installing was lodged below the mechanism and was
>>> preventing the opening of the seat.  Another example of those lovely
>>> Germans saving a dime.
>>>
>>> On Sat, Aug 13, 2016 at 2:26 PM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> when you pull the latch, do you hear the locking mechanism moving or
>>>>
>>> making
>>>
>>>> some noise? - if not the cable/rod in there was broken (one or both
>>>> side)
>>>>
>>>> On Sat, Aug 13, 2016 at 1:58 PM, OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@comcast.net>
>>>>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>          Try putting Your Weight On It while lifting the LatchRelease ~
>>>>>
>>>>> On 13 Aug , 2016, at 2:44 PM, Neil2 wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> In the midst of a large project.  Noticed the bench seat was a little
>>>>>> difficult to shut and now it won't open!  Never had this happen with
>>>>>>
>>>>> a
>>>
>>>> bench seat and I'm wondering if I have caught something in the
>>>>>>
>>>>> mechanism
>>>>
>>>>> inside causing it to malfunction.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Please/thanks!
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Neil2
>>>>>> '82 Diesel Westfalia (Ducky)
>>>>>> '86 Vanagon (SaVannah)
>>>>>> '08 170" 2500 Mega Roof Sprinter (Moby)
>>>>>> '90 Westfalia Subagon
>>>>>> Fulltiming since August 2008
>>>>>> Nunquam Pendite Divendium
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Neil2
>>> '82 Diesel Westfalia (Ducky)
>>> '86 Vanagon (SaVannah)
>>> '08 170" 2500 Mega Roof Sprinter (Moby)
>>> '90 Westfalia Subagon
>>> Fulltiming since August 2008
>>> Nunquam Pendite Divendium
>>>
>>>