Bed lift struts?

[scrawf7]

I want to add some lift struts to the under-bed storage lid on my 198RD. Does anybody know what weight rating struts I should look for? and where to buy them from? .... Thanks for any help!

[Fatfenders]

While I can't answer completely, I bought mine at Camping World. IF you know the weight rating needed, there are lots of places to buy gas struts (think automotive) cheaper. I ended up buying 3 different weight rating sets and took the two back that didn't work. Can't recall the ratings on the ones I had, but every situation will vary. I added them when enlarging the hinged lid for a full size queen mattress...

[mike837go]

My 19RD came with 'em.


I'll try and grab some pix (including anything stamped on the struts) tonight.

[mike837go]

There are two struts holding up 1/2 the bed. 1 Near the wall:





And one on the door side:



This the best I could do on the label:



Hope this helps.

[Camper_bob]

You can order them on Amazon for pretty cheap (best price I found when I replaced one of mine a while back). For reference, my 28BHBE is equipped with a short queen (60x76) and was equipped with two 100 lb Suspa gas struts.

[ADK]

I purchased mine from amazon last year (title:Qty (2) Camper Rear Window, Tonneau Cover Lift Supports, Struts. Suspa C16-08055 C1608055) along with the mounting brackets.

These are for lifting a queen bed. I went with 120# to make sure they stayed up even with a comforter or a future heavier mattress/pad. I've had no issues with raising or lowering the bed.

[Subaru297]

We got 19.6" length. 110lb or 50kg struts.
6.69" stroke!
uxcell brand

I think they are a bit overkill and may rip out of the wood at some point but they do work well. Easy install too.
The key is to make sure they lie as close to flat as possible in the closed position otherwise they will lift the bed on their own accord.

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by ADK

These are for lifting a queen bed. I went with 120# to make sure they stayed up even with a comforter or a future heavier mattress/pad. I've had no issues with raising or lowering the bed.

Dats wut dees do!

[Camper_bob]

Upgrading to the 120# struts is probably a bit overkill in the OP's 198RD (it's only 1/2 the bed being lifted right?), but I considered it for my trailer. I ended up going with OEM replacement (100#) because that's what was readily available at the time and for the price I wanted to pay. If you can get your hands on them easily, and you're lifting an entire queen bed with a topper and linens, I would definitely upgrade to the 120# struts. You may need to reinforce their mounting points, but that's not terribly difficult if you're even somewhat proficient with a saw and some screws.

[scrawf7]

thanks for all the replies!!!! The pics are very helpful. I found some 100# struts on amazon I'm gonna try.

[Subaru297]

Here are a few more pictures of how our are mounted.






We added a small 2x4 to the underside of the bed for the top mounting point so I could use a larger screw. Didn't do anything to the rear end that has two screws.

[dmward]

Thanks for all of the pictures. This mod is high on the list, as ours came with cheap crappy hinges, that keep coming off the plywood.

Question... will 2 of these work? Is only one needed?

50kg 110.2lb Force 320mm Long Lift Support Shock Strut Arm Gas Spring, Struts - Amazon Canada

Rated at 100lbs.

Thanks

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by dmward

Thanks for all of the pictures. This mod is high on the list, as ours came with cheap crappy hinges, that keep coming off the plywood.

Question... will 2 of these work? Is only one needed?

50kg 110.2lb Force 320mm Long Lift Support Shock Strut Arm Gas Spring, Struts - Amazon Canada

Rated at 100lbs.

Thanks

I would get two. You don't want the frame/platform to twist with a strut on just one side. For one thing, that would exacerbate your hinge problems.

[DJL1967]

dmward I just added struts to my 28DSBH and used one on each side. I added a vertical 1x4 on the bottom bed frame to mount lower arm and used the existing 2x2 on the bed deck to attach the upper arm. It took a couple tries to get the mounting distances correct but it now works great. So much better than the broom handle I used before. I also reinforced the hinges and added 2 more as the stock ones were very inadequate.

[dmward]

Originally Posted by DJL1967

dmward I just added struts to my 28DSBH and used one on each side. I added a vertical 1x4 on the bottom bed frame to mount lower arm and used the existing 2x2 on the bed deck to attach the upper arm. It took a couple tries to get the mounting distances correct but it now works great. So much better than the broom handle I used before. I also reinforced the hinges and added 2 more as the stock ones were very inadequate.

Excellent. Thanks for the reply.

I was looking at the hinges again last night and still can't believe they used 1/8" screws on the hinges. They didn't even screw them into the 2x2 supports on the plywood, but just directly into the board itself. [emoji33]

Looks like I will be able to use some of that scrap lumber in my basement for this mod too!

[norty1]

Lots of folk don't understand why the lifts don't work as well after they change mattresses or add a foam topper.

Sometime the lift struts have to be upgraded and anyone who has a mini van knows that they wear out over time and use.

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by norty1

...anyone who has a mini van knows that they wear out over time and use.

Station wagons too! Went through 2 sets in 154,000 miles and 10 years in my 1992 Taurus wagon.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by mike837go

Station wagons too! Went through 2 sets in 154,000 miles and 10 years in my 1992 Taurus wagon.

And SUVs; DW's 2006 XTerra is on its 3rd set in 90K miles. Previously replaced a set on her Grand Cherokee before we were married too.

[denn888]

My wife is happy we got new struts from Amazon for our Suburban after she lifted the tailgate and started to climb in when the tailgate came crashing down on her knee ��