Hi gang. I know this has been covered before but I can't find it. We're getting a new queen mattress in our 21BHS and I will need to replace the gas struts in the storage area under the bed (the original ones won't be able to hold up the additional weight of the new mattress). What size (in pounds) for the new gas struts do I need in order to get the job done? Thanks!
I used 60lb and it's just enough.
Thanks. I believe I read that some people put in 80 or 90 pound struts under their beds, but am looking for confirmation on that before I order.
We have a 2015 21RBS and I changed the 40# struts to 60# and they work with bed sheets blankets without a problem.
Gerald
We have a relatively heavy foam mattress and 60lbs did the trick. It actually has a little extra oomph, so we have to pull it down a bit, but it won't accidentally fall on us.
OK. I found 65# struts at an auto parts store and I will be picking them up later today (they had to ship them in from another one of their stores). I am not looking forward to the installation because I am going to have to compress them about 1/2 inch to get them on (the originals expanded about 1/2 inch when I took them off of the pins). The originals were 35# struts and are hard to compress by hand (now that I have them off). How am I going to compress the new ones (65#) one half inch in order to get them on?
I took my off without any problems. I held the bed up to make sure they were fully extended and pulled the spring clip out slightly and the shock came off without a hitch.
I was able to get them on without any problem at all. The ones we got were the right size and they just popped right on. Didn't even have to compress them (not even a little) or mess with the metal clips. Got ones that are rated at 65 pounds and they hold up the end of the bed just great! Thanks everyone!
When you get a chance, post up the specific brand/model/number of the struts that worked. There will be others with the same need and it would be great to have the details.
I hope they stay down ok; I can imagine it being quite an "alarm clock" for those to pop up unexpectedly. ;)
We bought a custom mattress, and use a piece of PVC pipe to hold up the VERY heavy mattress. I would love to know the length of the NEW struts and their brand? I did not know I could replace them with a different weight.
To handle the additional weight of our heavier new mattress, we bought these gas struts/lift supports from O'Reilly Auto Parts. They told me that they are rated for around 65#, which is perfect because they hold up the bed but are not so strong that they pop back up. The length is about 14" compressed and about 20.5" extended. The photos below show what is printed on the cylinders. The cost was about $25 each. They work great and were a breeze to install. Took less than one minute, as they just snapped right in (just popped on). Highly recommend them for anyone who has the under bed storage area in the 21BHS or 21RBS.
Made by:
Stabilus Lift-O-Mat
I just replaced mine with the 60lb shock. Picked them up at Amazon for $25 for the pair. Works much better the the factory ones. Took all of three minutes to replace.
This whole thread makes me envious. Envious because our 16TBS doesn't have hinged lids for the two compartments therefore no struts to hold up the hefty aftermarket king size mattress that we replaced the OEM "mattresses" (pads). We love the mattress and love having king size sleeping space but it's practically a two person job to get into those compartments without throwing out your back. Maybe it's time for mods to hinge and strut the lids...
Super easy mod. I bought the long hinges called piano hinges at the hardware store and hinged the compartment lids. I used simple SS self-threading screws, but with a pilot hole and did about every 4 hole in the hinges. Instead of a gas strut, I went cheap and use a wood dowel rod to hold the lids up. Now that gbpack has listed the struts that work, I think I'll add one of the those to each lid to ease the lifting. I have photos posted in the forum archives that I'll go find if you need them.
Quote from: Merlin on November 23, 2017, 07:19:52 PM
Super easy mod. I bought the long hinges called piano hinges at the hardware store and hinged the compartment lids. I used simple SS self-threading screws, but with a pilot hole and did about every 4 hole in the hinges. Instead of a gas strut, I went cheap and use a wood dowel rod to hold the lids up. Now that gbpack has listed the struts that work, I think I'll add one of the those to each lid to ease the lifting. I have photos posted in the forum archives that I'll go find if you need them.
I was thinking you had done the hinges. I'll find that post for reference. I think it will make a good winter project.
Quote from: mojospeople on November 24, 2017, 01:42:58 AM
Quote from: Merlin on November 23, 2017, 07:19:52 PM
Super easy mod. I bought the long hinges called piano hinges at the hardware store and hinged the compartment lids. I used simple SS self-threading screws, but with a pilot hole and did about every 4 hole in the hinges. Instead of a gas strut, I went cheap and use a wood dowel rod to hold the lids up. Now that gbpack has listed the struts that work, I think I'll add one of the those to each lid to ease the lifting. I have photos posted in the forum archives that I'll go find if you need them.
I was thinking you had done the hinges. I'll find that post for reference. I think it will make a good winter project.
Hey Merlin, I went looking for the archive post and found the post but not the pictures. I'm about ready to start this project and if you can find those pictures it would help me a lot! Thanks!
Couldn't find the pics, but new ones were easy to shoot. One shows the entire lid with part of the piano hinge across the back. I peeled back the duct tape enough to see the hinge. The other is close-up showing the hinge, screws, and tape. A total of about 8 screws were plenty and the hinge is full length. I never did add gas struts to either compartment under the beds. We use those compartments relatively little (just for long term storage stuff) and it wasn't worth the time compared to the simplicity of using a wood rod to hold them up.
Hmmm, interesting. I see that your lids appear to be framed (around azdel?). My covers are some sort of particle/pressed board that sits in the base - not framed up. Will have to get a picture. I'm not sure it will hold up to the forces of being hinged with the weight of our heavy mattress on top. I might have to come up with a way to frame them to help dissipate the load.
Wow, I sure hope you don't have pressboard or particle board in there. Under the mattress would be a prime place for mildew and mold in particle board. The cover on mine is aluminum square channel framing and cross-bracing with heavy Azdel on top. It's very strong and solid, with a full black aluminum corner edging. The screws are in metal and there is a full length aluminum frame member under the forward edge of the "lid" for support.
I saw this post today, and it made me replace the struts on my 21rbs. This is going to make this storage space much more useable. Now I don't have to worry about being decapitated.
Here's a good website in determining Hatch, bed lift cylinders called hatchlift. I ordered a set of lift cylinders from Amazon for my queen size mattress from Original Mattress Factory. They were $10.00 each and fit perfect, 20" long, 100# capacity and it lifts the queen size bed with no problem. One thing I read is to not let the hatch slam shut, lower it with assistance from the gas cylinders. https://www.amazon.com/inch-Prop-Spring-Strut-Heavy/dp/B00Y3H319S
http://www.hatchlift.com/
OK, so upon review, the covers are not wood/particle but a really heavy plastic of some sort about 3/8' or 1/2" thick I'd guess. That's good news and makes more sense. They sit inside the frame I'm not sure though if I can safely put screws in this material or if it will crack.
If I can screw into this material, I think it could be piano hinged although from below in the "closed" hinge position and lifting the cover would open the hinge. Here are pictures of what I have to work with.
Also, I realize that I kind of hijacked this thread even though the topics are related. i can start a new one if that is more appropriate.
No need to start a new thread; this one's a good one for your work.
However, Photobucket does not work on this site (or any others) without everyone viewing having a paid account. Can you just post the photo files?
Updated my post with attachments.
Looks like the same stuff under the shower pan in my camper. I'll bet regular wood screws will hold a hinge in that.
Quote from: mojospeople on April 08, 2018, 04:17:44 PM
OK, so upon review, the covers are not wood/particle but a really heavy plastic of some sort about 3/8' or 1/2" thick I'd guess.
That's the same stuff in my 2018 16TBS, It was nice to see something like that rather than the typical plywood or wafer board in other campers :)