“Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Topic: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs” (Read 876 times) previous topic - next topic

“Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

April 04, 2020, 05:23:27 pm

Some one referred to the bed lifted as a MOUSE TRAP, correct.
While I have your attention? 99 U295 Have read various stories, in the archives. Hope someone has a "NEW IDEA" .
can't believe someone has not been hurt, (our last, a 2011 Newmar, used the same idea.) (round the camp 🔥 bring out some good wine, will tell U why we no longer have that POS, especially the FLiner 1/2) .

Back to the subject, anyone have a source, on the replacement cylinders, although have not called MHTex.
Am struggling with the idea of air or manual hyd. Jacks, although I am always struggling with making a simple solution complicated. A fallacy.
Probably some place in this wonderful gathering of info' a answer exists, I just have not pushed the correct key'.

Thanks, and to all, a wonderful Easter season, think of the good things, the glass is 1/2 full, a plus?

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #1 – April 04, 2020, 05:47:37 pm

Here is a link to what some of us have done to replace the gas struts.
Ordered new bed, May need to Add 2nd set of Gas lift rams for bed pedestal?

Read through several of the post that follow.

Mike

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #2 – April 04, 2020, 06:26:35 pm

Don't do like I did and order a set the same as the old ones thinking they were just worn out.

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #3 – April 04, 2020, 09:16:12 pm

Got these from EBay,https://www.ebay.com/itm/172865705082 work great.

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #4 – April 04, 2020, 09:28:17 pm

Correct link from above Racedad

2 Gas Spring/Prop/Strut/Shock 26.375" x 16.375" x 300 LB Pressure | eBay

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #5 – April 04, 2020, 10:43:47 pm

Lol on the mouse trap reference but I think you mean rat traps. I'm a lot bigger that a 🐁

My PO had new springs waiting to install. Tried to with the mattress on but no go. Once it was off no problem.
If they don't do the trick then I will go the eBay route. The problem is the weight of the bed.

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #6 – April 04, 2020, 11:49:15 pm

I thought mine were worn out as well. Put new ones from FT on and worked great until we added the bedding and foam layer, etc,etc. I open it and keep two sticks to hold it up. May go the 300lb rated next. How are those to compress enough to mount? I would think it impossible when 90 lbs is tough

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #7 – April 05, 2020, 12:21:12 am

Quote from: dans96u295ft – April 04, 2020, 11:49:15 pm

I thought mine were worn out as well. Put new ones from FT on and worked great until we added the bedding and foam layer, etc,etc. I open it and keep two sticks to hold it up. May go the 300lb rated next. How are those to compress enough to mount? I would think it impossible when 90 lbs is tough

If you don't upgrade the hinge it will break with the heavier struts. There is a post about the issue.

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #8 – April 05, 2020, 11:14:04 am

I removed the bedding and installed the struts while they were extended. Instead of wood screws on the bottom strut mounts I used machine screws through the structure. With all of the mattress and bedding weight the engine cover is easy to operate. If you are concerned that the 300lb gas springs are too strong 150lb is probably enough for most applications. I had the gas springs from a race car application and used them. The piano hinge on my coach is more than adequate. The gas springs are lifting the weight, not counteracting the full load on the hinge. When fully extended there is no difference on the load on the hinge regardless of the power of the gas springs.

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #9 – April 05, 2020, 11:33:37 am

Eventually I will add a electric actuator arm on it.. I will probably add it tot the frame and then to the bed for maximum support

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #10 – April 05, 2020, 11:34:39 am

I'll try to find the post where the hinge pulled off the wall. It is not the lifting force it is the pushing away from the wall as it starts to lift that was the problem.

Bed Hinge Repair Modification

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #11 – April 05, 2020, 11:35:59 am

Quote from: DavidS – April 05, 2020, 11:33:37 am

Eventually I will add a electric actuator arm on it.. I will probably add it tot the frame and then to the bed for maximum support

That's been done by Saddlesore and he put a stronger piano hinge in.

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #12 – April 05, 2020, 12:14:48 pm

We just stuck a 3 or 4 ft 2x2 in the compartment under the foot of the bed to secure the bed in up position. Simple fix and I like simple!! Our hinges are fine.

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #13 – April 05, 2020, 12:25:44 pm

Quote from: Miles and Kim Pepperd – April 05, 2020, 12:14:48 pm

We just stuck a 3 or 4 ft 2x2 in the compartment under the foot of the bed to secure the bed in up position. Simple fix and I like simple!! Our hinges are fine.

I changed the bed to a Purple and added some weight.. hard to lift now.. very hard..Cant wait to get old !!

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #14 – April 05, 2020, 02:35:10 pm

Only time I need to pick it up is to change the spin on fuel filter on the Cummins. Easier from the top. Other wise, I'll use my bed! I miss a few things on my gas Bounder and storage under the bed is one of them If I didn't need to tow a 5000lb cargo trailer up and down the Rockies, I'd of kept it. Much cheaper to operate and the V-10 was great until going up an 8% grade or down with the cargo trailer. That said, I do love my FT. Amazing unit and every time I talk to someone who knows motorhomes (techs) they all agree we have the best chassis going

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #15 – April 05, 2020, 04:52:04 pm

Quote from: DavidS – April 05, 2020, 12:25:44 pm

I changed the bed to a Purple and added some weight.. hard to lift now.. very hard..Cant wait to get old !!

That's basically the reason I didn't go with the purple bed David. The weight. I know you have the thinnest one which is also the lightest, but at my age I wanted the thicker one and when I looked at the weight rating on it I was like oh my God that's not going to happen. I did order my replacement and I'll do a separate thread on that one. I'm sure it might still be a little bit heavier than the for travel mattress but not by much.

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #16 – April 05, 2020, 05:41:33 pm

I have a heavy Sealy memory foam mattress, I've used the 300lb struts for 3 years, they seem just right holding the mattress almost all the way up. I never force the hinge and check mounts every time used. I did not have to compress struts to mount, used a stick to hold platform up when I installed.

This is what I did three years ago.
What did you do to your coach today VI

This is what I used.
A PAIR(2) 26.3 in Gas Strut Shock Spring prop rod lift 300 lb | eBay

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #17 – April 05, 2020, 08:26:07 pm

My hinge gave way and the bed hit me a swift punch in the chest. Installed a heavier piano hinge and 190 pound springs. Now bed easy to raise but have to carefully ease it closed to keep pressure even on both springs.

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #18 – April 06, 2020, 10:17:13 am

Quote from: Realmccoy – April 05, 2020, 08:26:07 pm

My hinge gave way and the bed hit me a swift punch in the chest.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll check hinge condition. I will also make sure the door is open behind me when I'm opening this spring trap. I often close it to prevent our wildcat from making an escape.

Re: “Mouse trap” bed lifts “gas springs”

Reply #19 – April 06, 2020, 09:35:56 pm

The bed actually pinned me against the wall.

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