Gas struts for bed in Swift 267BHS? - Page 2

**Crabman** · 03-20-2013, 01:03 AM

Here are a few I dug up on the net...

**Crabman** · 03-20-2013, 01:12 AM

How to video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54tMhLKo__w

Doug · 03-20-2013, 06:35 AM

Thanks Crabman,
That's very helpful.

Doug

ArkJayco · 03-20-2013, 07:17 AM

Dang you guys are awesome! I must not have been searching for the right terms on google. haha But again, you are all awesome!

jdorant · 03-20-2013, 07:33 PM

So I tried installing the 100 lb struts again today and no luck! I actually broke the hinges that were on the bed. They seem too strong, but from what I've read and what you guys say they should work. Gonna buy some new hinges this weekend, do a little more research, and try again!

jdorant · 03-20-2013, 07:34 PM

Here is a picture from a Jayco on the dealers lot, same strut I'm trying to use.

Click image for larger version

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Doug · 03-20-2013, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdorant

So I tried installing the 100 lb struts again today and no luck! I actually broke the hinges that were on the bed. They seem too strong, but from what I've read and what you guys say they should work. Gonna buy some new hinges this weekend, do a little more research, and try again!

Hmm,
Nothing is straight forward is it.
I haven't tried it yet, but there should be a diagram of how to mount them.
Crabman sent me some measurements.
Seems like top was like 8" away from end of bed and bottom was 22"
The picture looks like its about a 45 degree angle when lifted.
I am going to try to lift the bed, see where the extended strut lines up at about a 45 degree angle.

Keep us posted.

Best regards,
Doug

**Crabman** · 03-21-2013, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdorant

Here is a picture from a Jayco on the dealers lot, same strut I'm trying to use.Attachment 6939

That pic looks just like my front bed. Here are the numbers I sent to Doug.

The walk around queen plywood is 59x71, hinged in front of trailer, with the struts mounted bottom=28" from foot of bed, top =43" from foot of bed. Struts would be nearly horizontal when closed, angled when open I suppose similar to a truck bed cover. I`m guessing the bed opens up about 45 degrees, maybe a bit more. Struts are mounted about 44" apart from each other.

Rear bunk is hinged about 2/3 way of plywood which means this part only opens up about 2/3 of the bed. Dimensions of plywood that opens with strut are 31x75". strut is mounted 8" from inside edge of plywood on top, 22" on bottom. This strut and bed open up to more of an angle then the queen. Did not see any bracket numbers.

ArkJayco · 03-21-2013, 09:44 PM

THANK YOU all!

Using the pictures and measurements posted on here I was easily able to mount my shocks this evening. They work GREAT! Glad I got the 120 pounders! With the mattress and topper, they were needed.

jdorant · 03-21-2013, 09:47 PM

Man... What am I doing wrong. I know there's plenty of pics, but could you post yours complete? I am also interested in the type of hinge used as I think there not strong enough.

ArkJayco · 03-22-2013, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdorant

Man... What am I doing wrong. I know there's plenty of pics, but could you post yours complete? I am also interested in the type of hinge used as I think there not strong enough.

mine looks identical to the picture you posted earlier from the jayco on the dealers lot. I mounted the end to the bed frame 28" from the end of the bed (outside edge) and then for the part of the shock that mounts to the bed platform, I mounted it 43" from the end of the bed, just as crabman posted. Now if you put the 2 shock on, and try to close the bed with no mattress on it or anything, its HARD. There is not enough weight with just the plywood alone to close the shock without pushing HARD. but once I finally did get it closed, and put my mattress on it and mattress topper, it worked perfect. I'm sure you know this, but just in case, the shock I bought is 11.8" when fully compressed. So, you want to make sure that your two end mounts will have AT LEAST 11.8" between them when the bed is closed. It doesn't matter on the fully extended part as much because when it gets fully extended, the shock won't open anymore so that's as high as the bed will open. I'm not sure what to tell you on why yours doesn't seem to work.

Are your shocks about as parallel as can be to the sides of the bed?

These are the brackets I used to mount the shock to the bottom of the bed plat form.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...cket-1in/49816

These are the brackets I used to mount to the side of the bed frame.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...ket-flat/49814

I got them both at our local Camping World.

Power247 · 03-22-2013, 11:33 AM

Subscribed!!! This has been a great thread to follow. I totally need to do this to our 267BHS.

ArkJayco · 03-22-2013, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power247

Subscribed!!! This has been a great thread to follow. I totally need to do this to our 267BHS.

After doing mine yesterday, the one thing I would change, I'd get longer shocks.

Mine are 19.7" extended and I'd like longer so the bed openes up even more. Right now its ok but it owuld be nice if it would open just a tad more.

But I'd for sure get the 120 lb if you have any kind of mattress topper on your bed! We are heading out camping here in a couple hours. I'll try to get picture of the mounts, where they are located exactly on both the bed frame and the bed platform in case maybe it would help all of you out.

jdorant · 03-22-2013, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkJayco

After doing mine yesterday, the one thing I would change, I'd get longer shocks.

Mine are 19.7" extended and I'd like longer so the bed openes up even more. Right now its ok but it owuld be nice if it would open just a tad more.

But I'd for sure get the 120 lb if you have any kind of mattress topper on your bed! We are heading out camping here in a couple hours. I'll try to get picture of the mounts, where they are located exactly on both the bed frame and the bed platform in case maybe it would help all of you out.

If you post pictures, can you post 1 of the hinges too? Thank you!

Power247 · 03-22-2013, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkJayco

After doing mine yesterday, the one thing I would change, I'd get longer shocks.

Mine are 19.7" extended and I'd like longer so the bed openes up even more. Right now its ok but it owuld be nice if it would open just a tad more.

But I'd for sure get the 120 lb if you have any kind of mattress topper on your bed! We are heading out camping here in a couple hours. I'll try to get picture of the mounts, where they are located exactly on both the bed frame and the bed platform in case maybe it would help all of you out.

Thanks for the heads up! I will go with the 120lb units and see if i can find ones with a longer stroke. Pics would be great if you get a chance. Enjoy your trip!!!

ArkJayco · 03-22-2013, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdorant

If you post pictures, can you post 1 of the hinges too? Thank you!

Hinges?

Are you talking about the brackets I linked to in my reply at the top of this page?

Doug · 03-22-2013, 11:51 AM

I have yet to find anything longer than 19.5" extended length with 120lb lift.
This place Crabman posted has pages and pages of struts.
Maybe a call to them would be helpful.
http://shop.suspa.com/shared/StoreFr...t=products.asp

ArkJayco · 03-22-2013, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougtoms01

I have yet to find anything longer than 19.5" extended length with 120lb lift.
This place Crabman posted has pages and pages of struts.
Maybe a call to them would be helpful.
http://shop.suspa.com/shared/StoreFr...t=products.asp

ok cool. Yeah I'm not even sure if they make them longer and still 120 lb. Would certainly be nice though.

They have a lot on camping worlds site too (and in store). They have a 26", but its only 75 lb.

All the 120 are only 20" as you stated. Don't get me wrong, the 19.7 still are a WHOLE LOT better than nothing. haha

Edit: Found one...

If anyone wants a longer one, here's a 26" extended, 120lb gas prop. I have no idea if that length would work (and its pricey at $39 EACH), so measure before hand, but this would probably be the bees knees.

ha

http://www.dyersonline.com/ap-produc...FTORPAodySAA_w

jdorant · 03-22-2013, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkJayco

Hinges?

Are you talking about the brackets I linked to in my reply at the top of this page?

Yes, if you could just lift the mattress and take a picture of where the plywood is hinged. I think the hinges on the plywood of my queen bed are not adequate enough when the struts are on. I bent one the other day when I tried to put the struts on. I think putting stronger hinges on and I may have this!

ArkJayco · 03-22-2013, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdorant

Yes, if you could just lift the mattress and take a picture of where the plywood is hinged. I think the hinges on the plywood of my queen bed are not adequate enough when the struts are on. I bent one the other day when I tried to put the struts on. I think putting stronger hinges on and I may have this!

Ok will do. The hinge on mine is pretty flimsy looking as well. Looks like a piano hinge pretty much.

It didn't seem to bend though. Also a thing to note, if you try to close the bed platform with no mattress on it, and the shocks put on, there will be a little pressure on the hinge because there is not enough weight on the bed to compress the shock so you are having to push down pretty hard. I noticed this on mine. So when I closed it, I put all the bedding on and it worked like a champ then.

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