I am needing to replace my cargo bay struts on all my bay doors,my head has had enough being hit. I have spring lift SL-3-110 on my large bay doors and SL-3-60 on all others do any of you have recommendations for better struts or just use the same load rating, and does anyone know of any great buy sources. Thanks,stump
Stump, FOT is probably your best bet, especially on getting the right # number for your bay doors.
The 110s were probably installed by a previous owner. I think they're supposed to be 60s (?) There's a danger the stronger struts will break the metal hardware off the fiberglass door. Look closely to see if there are any cracks.
+1 on rbark's recommendation. I also agree with RRadio's recommendation regarding checking for cracks.
Sometimes the bay doors fail. The door to our water heater bay has failed twice. One time the edge of the door broke where the strut was attached. Another time, the attachments to the upper hinge failed and I ended up holding the door in my hand when it separated from the hinge. Xtreme P&G in NAC repaired both failures.
When the attachment to the hinge failed, I could see that it had failed and been repaired before we bought the coach.
I suggest you get the proper struts from FOT, and watch for any evidence of impending failure.
If nothing else, check with them for the right size for your coach, then go from there. :D
Richard B.
Hi Stump,
Here's an old thread that covers your question: Gas spring (strut) replacement for my 93 U300 bay doors (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=15777.msg97755#msg97755)
I think Scott doesn't realize your large door is a 6 footer (for a 40' coach) and needs the 110 lb. springs. The 36' coaches only have a 4' bay door that's the 60 lb. that he mentioned.
I assume yours are like mine in that the ends are the eyelet style (vs. ball that are used on newer coaches) -these seem to be harder to find. If you buy from Foretravel make sure you tell them the end style, length and force. With our older coaches you can't just assume they will know exactly what will fit.
I recently purchased new struts during our stay at FOT Ladies Driving School. My coach uses the "ball socket" type strut. My existing struts (before the change) were SpringLift part number SL34-20-1 all the way around. My small cargo bay doors stayed up most of the time - my big doors were "head-bangers" (especially in cool weather). The parts counter guy at FOT said the old struts were too weak for my application. He recommended SpringLift part numbers SL34-40-1 for the small doors, and SL34-70-1 for the large doors. I took his advice, and they all stay up just great now, without feeling like the spring is too strong when I close the door. Prices below are the retail price at the FOT parts counter window - your price would be 10% less if Motorcade Club member.
SL34-40-1 $12.82
SL34-70-1 $13.12
Sorry, I didn't realize the 40' coach is supposed to have 110lb struts. The previous owner put those on my 36' coach and Foretravel told me they would break either the fiberglass door or the metal hardware, so I changed back to the correct struts even though I didn't see any cracks yet. I always move the old struts to a smaller door and put the new struts on the big door. When the old struts just barely have any lift they still work on the tiny doors behind the back wheels. It's my way of recycling. :))
Scott,
I was sold the more powerful struts by FOT. Since the more powerful struts are for the bus doors, they promptly ripped the hinges off of my doors. MOT sold me the proper struts and Xtreme repaired the ripped hinges. No problems since I am now using the proper strength struts.