4 ms·
Not that you're generally wrong otherwise, but the Vanagon was around 3000 lbs curb weight (and a bit more for campers). 5k was the GVWR, i.e. max safe loaded w
by geoelectric 10y ago
Not that you're generally wrong otherwise, but the Vanagon was around 3000 lbs curb weight (and a bit more for campers). 5k was the GVWR, i.e. max safe loaded weight.
(Edit: missed gvw when I wrote this, but it's unusual to typify a vehicles P/W ratio by GVWR. That's more a comment on its structure and suspension.)
- linksnapzz 10y agoYeah, I couldn't remember the curb weight off the top of my head, but I did remember the 5k gross. It still describes a very sturdy, solid one and a half ton truck with a one ton capacity frame and suspension...powered by a 80-90 hp gas (or 52 hp!!) diesel motor. :-) Had there been the Oettinger flat-six available in US-market transporters from the beginning, perhaps the minivan market would've turned out a little different....
- BuffaloBagel 10y agoI've got the 52hp diesel Vanagon camper weighing over 4,500 in my garage. Freeway performance is..... underwhelming.
- mikestew 10y ago67bhp in our '81 Westy. I view keeping the speed limit on any incline to be a victory. You diesel owners I view as masochists. :-)
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- mikestew 10y agoHad there been the Oettinger flat-six available in US-market transporters from the beginning, perhaps the minivan market would've turned out a little different.... Wanna know why inline fours bolt up so nicely in Vanagons? Because VW originally intended to put an inline in them. I mean, do you really think VW wanted a an air-cooled engine with friggin' ignition points in a 1980 model? And an anemic, decades-old engine design in a 4000lb. (in the case of our Westfalia) vehicle? Had VW not done their usual (IMO) half-assed planning and design, it might have been different. But then they wouldn't be VW, would they? :-)
- BuffaloBagel 10y agoMy Westy Vanagon is around 4,500 lb.
- geoelectric 10y agoI won't argue with an owner (my own personal experience only extended to the 70s type 2s, not 80s) but I'm surprised. The source I checked didn't show a model over 3500. It's estimated for the campers, but 1k lbs is a hell of a margin. It doesn't mention Westfalia models directly, though, unless they're one of the model numbers in the breakdown. http://vanagon.com/info/years/1981/index.htm http://vanagon.com/info/years/1981/index.htm
- BuffaloBagel 10y agoLet me clarify... 4,500 lbs is about what it weighs with me and the junk I carry around on a daily basis. Very possible for it to be well over 5,000 lbs with a passenger and camping gear, full fuel, water and propane tanks. See: http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/load.html http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/load.html
- geoelectric 10y agoGot it, that (and the diesel comment) makes a ton of sense. Thanks!
- BuffaloBagel 10y ago1981 Vanagon Westfalia is aircooled. Contrast that with the 1982 diesel with a heavier engine block and a cooling system.