At 10:15 02-10-98 -0400, ErikO@ebyte.com wrote:
>You can do what I did. Take a piece of PVC with an inner dia between 3/4
>and 7/8 and cut it between 8 1/2 and 9 inches. ........

I tried Erik's fix and LOVE IT!!!  It is so simple and works so well.

>Cut a few extras for your glovebox for other vanagon owners you might
>with drooping hatch struts.

A real ice breaker.  I gave out 3 or 4 this summer and really generated so
big smiles, good Karma and Vanagon goodwill.

>I know repacing the struts is cheap, but this is even cheaper and helps
>if you have extra weight on the hatch, like a bike rack.
>
I only use the "hatch holder" on one side (my struts still have lots of
life left in them).  With only one piece of pipe in place it held up my
hatch along with a hatch mounted bike rack and 3 bikes!!!  Truly amazing.
I'm a believer.

Kelly Bauman
Delta, BC
'91 Westy