Yes, you should rethink that as far as the safety issue.  Letting ones teenager drive your precious Vanagon, especially if it has a bed in the back, is another issue.  I got into a pretty horrific high speed crash and both the Westy and I survived.  Although it took out the radiator and condenser and the guys very long trailer hitch put a dent in the passenger footwell, I was amazed at how little damage there actually was.  Cost 2500.00 to fix and still looking for things that got tossed out of the tray above the stove (it took a while to find the radio remote).  Do not forget that the Vanagon has 2 bumpers up front.  One behind the chrome "bumper" and another behind the area between the grilles.  Both are quite sturdy.  Also, those 2 vertical rods behind the lower grille are amazingly strong.   Volkswagen was very aware there is not much room between the front of the vehicle and your body parts.

Dave B.

-----Original Message-----.

On Jan 6, 2018 5:17 PM, "David" <fjazzbass@gmail.com> wrote:

> That’s not something I’ve ever heard coupled with the name Vanagon... crash
> “worthy”?
>
> I have always avoided the idea of my kids driving these things because of
> safety issues... should I be rethinking that???
>
> Dave
>
> On Saturday, January 6, 2018, Stacy Schneider <vwcrewman@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I would not drive a van without a spare tire up front. The tire is part
> of
> > the crash worthiness of these vans.
> >   I want all the protection I can get. Even if you have a rear mounted
> > tire you can always leave the stock wheel in place.
> >
> >                            Stacy
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> > > On Jan 6, 2018, at 11:13 AM, Ralph Meyermann <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM
> >
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > No pics yet, I have some of my original adapted one. The refined
> version
> > > should be lighter/cleaner looking and seal out the elements better.
> > Weight
> > > depends on how much tools/parts you cram inside. Mine got kinda heavy
> for
> > > the 12day 3k mile West coast trip and back.
> > >
> > >
> > >> On Jan 6, 2018 1:09 PM, "Chris S" <szpejankowski@gmail.com> wrote:
> > >>
> > >> I like the idea. Extra diesel fuel tank? My thought is that anything
> > heavy
> > >> in spare tire cavity will be difficult to close. Got pics?
> > >>
> > >> Chris
> > >>
> > >>> Wiadomość napisana przez Ralph Meyermann <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM>
> w
> > >> dniu 06.01.2018, o godz. 10:34:
> > >>>
> > >>> Howdy Volks.  After going with a rear spare tire carrier, I was
> > pondering
> > >>> what to do with that available space. I ended up adapting my home
> made
> > >>> larger clamshell/tire carrier into a toolbox. I found it handy.
> > >> Currently I
> > >>> took it to my machine/Fab shop guys to make a refined
> design/prototype.
> > >>> Roughly 27"x 27" the front of it has 45° angles on the sides and  7"
> > >> tall.
> > >>> The first quote was $211.  I went downs and verified a few design
> > aspects
> > >>> including a better sealing surface for the lid and how it fastens
> down.
> > >> The
> > >>> first one/prototype is currently being built. Looking at $211-$250
> > final
> > >>> cost from machine shop, I don't know what shipping or anything could
> be
> > >>> yet. Hopefully It'll be what I envision and be able to have them
> > >> available
> > >>> for those with alternative spare tire carriers. Storage is worth it's
> > >>> weight in gold, Westy or tin top.
> > >>
> >
>