Yes, overhang is large since the wheelbase is so short. Vanagon is 181" long
with a 97" wheelbase, leaving 84" (7 feet!) extending past the center of the
wheels, or 46%. I measured about 39" in the rear and 45" in front.

Contrast that to a more modern van design, like the EVC. It's 204" long with
131" wheelbase leaving 73" overhanging, or 36%. But, the engine is over the
front wheels, and the Vanagon engine is behind the rear wheels.  This leads
to a fair amount of front/rear body rocking on uneven terrain (like speed
bumps).

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dennis Haynes
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2017 8:07 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Vanagon weights

As some may recall I recently acquired a vehicle weighing system. Scales for
all 4 wheels going go the wireless display. Recently I did a suspension
upgrade on an 88 Westy using Schwenk Springs and T3 front bushings and
stuff. The owner was nice enough to pretty much have it emptied for me as I
was doing a lot of interior electrical work. It does have a house battery
under the driver's seat. To my surprise the van weighed in at 970 pounds all
4 corners. 3,880 pounds. Adding weight, My 190 pounds going in and walking
around, it was amazing to see how the weight gets distributed to at least 3
wheels. Adding shim to the left rear to take out that sagging look also took
weight off the left front and threw some 200 pounds on the right front. As I
always thought one should not just shim one corner. Now I know. What really
surprises me is the front-rear balance. On empty 2WD the front has actually
been heavier than the rear. Explains the lack of snow performance.

Dennis