JordanVw@AOL.COM wrote:
>
> In a message dated 98-07-15 21:11:29 EDT, vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG writes:
>
> << >Are you sure this is an effective bumper? To be effective it should have
>  >some 'give'. If it is too strong, an impact might damage the frame and
>  >result in even worse damage. >>
>
> Owning 2 rear ended parts vanagons, (both got it mostly in the RR - most
> rearended vans i've seen have had the center of impact in the RR for some
> reason) i think a shock absorber type rear bumper would be a good idea... both
> of my vans have suffered bad frame damage, and were totaled out by the ins
> co... that could have probably been prevented if VW had designed a real bumper
> assembly for the Vanagon and not that paper thin sorry excuse for a bumper
> that is bolted on there with 4 bolts.  i often wonder how they were able to
> pass crash test standards with those bumpers on the vans,

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe vans have to comply with
the same crash regulations that cars do. In any case, the regulations
change from time to time. There is no more 5mph bumper law.
Looking in an old copy of Consumer Reports, every single van listed was
said to have 'extensive damage' when hit in the rear (yes, even the
toyota).