Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-08-2021, 05:56 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Woodworker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Dallas
Posts: 4,281
Gas charged shock for bed

Trying to find something to use up my $30 gift card I bought a pair of gas shocks for the bed in our Jayco. It wasn't a kit so no instructions.
I went to you tube an there's not much out there unless you bought a kit so my question is has anyone installed these using the replacement shocks an brackets from ground zero?
The bed is 2 pieces of plywood attached with 3 supports to make 1 piece. If I learned anything from the You Tube videos is that I need to place 2x4's on the sides for strength an cut wood blocks to make the connection to the plywood for the mattress. But every video I watched the beds were either small or had a hinge on the plywood so they were only opening a small portion for access.
To get all the opening I can get with 20" shocks I presume I should go as close to the head of the bed as I can. But were the plywood meets is just over halfway towards the head of the bed. Should I install the shock on the piece that goes to the foot of the bed or would I be okay mounting to the piece that goes towards the headboard? Once I install the one end of the shock to the side of the storage compartment how do I determine where to install the other end to the plywood so it closes without binding the shock or running out of shock an having to redo it? I know it can't be straight up an down but is there a magical degree?
I must say this is the first time You Tube has let me down. I thought surely someone out there just bought a pair of these an figured it out an installed them without instructions.
__________________
Tight Lines and accurate shots
Woodworker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2021, 03:27 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
kirkelli's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: ridgecrest
Posts: 1,192
I know this is an old thread, but curious if you found a solution to do this..
kirkelli is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2021, 07:21 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: High ridge
Posts: 707
It is all in the geometry. You have to mount the ends so they fully extend to hold the bed up. But you have to be sure the mounts arent too close together when closed so you dont run out of copmression stroke on the strut. I would be making marks and using a tape measure so I got the mounts right with the first set of holes. You might have to have the struts at the correct angle to support the bed when open.
Old and soft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2021, 07:30 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 1,185
I just ordered some last night. I'll probably install them on the same brackets. I'm replacing 100# with 120# due to heavier mattress. I've looked at it and not sure if I want to mess with trying to make it open farther. I did see instructions on one of the brands I was shopping for. If I can find them again, I'll share a link.
__________________
Ford F250 6.2 Gas, 4X4, Short Bed, Companion Hitch
2019 Jayco 28.5 RSTS, MorRyde orbital pinbox.
Cincinnati Kid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2021, 08:50 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
kirkelli's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: ridgecrest
Posts: 1,192
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cincinnati Kid View Post
I just ordered some last night. I'll probably install them on the same brackets. I'm replacing 100# with 120# due to heavier mattress. I've looked at it and not sure if I want to mess with trying to make it open farther. I did see instructions on one of the brands I was shopping for. If I can find them again, I'll share a link.
There is a neat gas spring calculator on site below. Their gas springs are pretty pricey, but you can get a idea of correct spring for your application and order from EBay. https://www.gasspringsshop.com/
kirkelli is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2021, 09:21 PM   #6
Site Team
 
JFlightRisk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Newark, NY
Posts: 15,700
Here's the Hatchlift instructions for their kits. Might be of some help.

https://www.hatchlift.com/bedlift-kits-installation
__________________
Moderator
Think you're too old to cry or swear out loud...walk into your hitch in the dark.

2012 Jay Flight 19RD
2016 Ford F150 XLT 2X4 SC 3.5L Eco Max Tow
2010 Tundra TRD DBL Cab (Traded)
2 new fluffy Corgis, Bayley and Stanley
JFlightRisk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2021, 09:59 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
RogerR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Mapleton
Posts: 4,336
I installed my lifts with the supplied screws and found out after a few uses that the wood was cracking around them. So I went back to Ace and got small bolts, large washers as I could get installed and locking cap nuts.

Drilled and installed them and no problems since. There is both weight and torque and screws aren't the answer in an RV in my opinion.

Hope this helps!
__________________
2017 SLX 195RB
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit L 5.7L V8
Andersen WDH hitch, Renogy 100 AH Lithium &
200 Watts solar panels from Renogy

Prev. '14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, gas 3.6 V6
RogerR is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:55 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.