When I open the cover over the engine, I have to give it a hearty lift, and use a prop to keep it open. Is this the way it is meant to be?
I don't know if the struts are weak, or if it is strong, properly-functioning struts that allow me to get it open at all!
I have replaced lots of the small cabinet struts, and what is proper is apparent to me in that case.
Struts (gas springs) are weak and need to be replaced.
If you have a pillow top, they make struts with higher pressure.
Pierce
Thanks! I didn't know if my expectations were reasonable.
I was replacing the transfer switches yesterday, and a couple of times wondered about the mess that would have occurred if the prop slipped and caught my head...
Be very cautious going with higher pressure - you can damage the piano hinge at the head of the bed.
Mine is the same way. I worry about all the damage (to the platform) from it dropping on my hard skull. :)) ^.^d
I put a 2x2x36" stick in the electrical/transfer switch space and just put it up in place so the bed can't hit me in the head. I did the same with a rotating stick for the dash top. Took 5 minutes to cut, drill a hole, paint matte black and screw in place. Now, I lift the cover with two hands and then reach over to just past the middle and rotate it up.
Piano hinge is long with a lot of screws. Pretty tough.
Pierce
My current mattress is heavier than original, I use 190 pound struts, but I also upgraded the hinge. It holds up the mattress without supports, but I sometimes put up an "what if" prop when I'm halfway inside the engine bay.
I made my props out of 1/2 inch schedule 40 water pipe. It is light and doesn't take up much room,
Just my two cents
Ron
Our bed prop is a PVC pipe with PVC Tee fittings on each end. We store it in the electric compartment under the bed.
Just warning of an damage issue several folks have reported in the past when going to stronger struts. YMMV
Head Michelle's experienced warning
Piano hinge breaking loose damage has included suddenly forcefully sliding bed forward smashing into the legs of someone standing at front of bed.
When bed is closed, the compressed air struts exert more force on everything, like strut mounts, hinges, latches. Same stress can happen on bay and cabinet doors. Damage occurs when new struts use higher pressure and when other parts are worn.
I just replaced ours. Used 185 #er's, one on each side. Still takes a pretty good lift to start with, but once the mattress base is a couple of feet, (or less), off the bed frame, it goes up easily. HOWEVER, after seeing what happens when one end of the strut popped off the ball stud, (the wire latch did not stay hooked), a safety support IS a must. If I hd been under it, it probably wouldn't have been much fun!!!!!
I think there was a past post that used linear slides== that is the way I plan to go when that project moves to the top of the list.
The linear slide has no pressure on it when down and they come in 12v or 120v whatever you fancy
Chris
Here you go Red (saddlesore) posted some real good info on the how to. There are several coaches with this set up and they seem to work well.
Ordered new bed, May need to Add 2nd set of Gas lift rams for bed pedestal? (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=36321.msg346740#msg346740)
Read on through the thread as more info is further down.
Mike