Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
VanagonEuroVan
Subject:Re: Vanagon weights
From:Christopher Schimke
Date:Sun, 29 Oct 2017 08:31:03 -0700

Dennis, your weight distribution findings are exactly what I discovered
about 10 years ago when I did the same thing. Many refused to believe that
the front weighed more than the rear.

-----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

Have something to add on this topic today? Revive this thread in the forum »