On 14 Mar 2005 19:02:10 -0800, "BCITORGB"
wrote:

Cyli says:
=============
Well, if you're willing to take the chance that you'll be driving home
without a door on the side of your van, I suppose your way is okay.
Careless though I am, I like to have my doors stay on the vehicle.
================

Hmmmm... now you've got me worried. Just to check, do you have
expertise re van doors? I don't, hence my worry. I wouldn't have
thought that approx 50 pounds at the mid-point of the door frame would
be too much for the door-to-frame connection to withstand. However, I
haven't a clue. Does anyone else out there have any opinions?

Vehicle doors derive a fair amount of their strength from being
attached to the frame. I would not assume that a weight will not
bother them.

You also need to consider worst case, such as the weight resting on
the outer end of the door (more leverage) as well as a heavier boat,
as well as an impact which multiplies the force of the same item
resting at that point.

Anyone who has seen the Jaws of Life in action would not consider
vehicle doors as being strong.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
--
At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom