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Topic: Bed lifting air struts (Read 826 times) previous topic - next topic

Bed lifting air struts

Our two SpringLift air springs / struts that 'help' lift the bed were original, so we figured replacing them would be a good idea.

The original struts were Spring Lift SL-25-30, which I  learned that 25 refers to the length and mounting, and 30 means 30 psi pressure, so we replaced them with same Spring Lifts.

We lift our bed many times a year to do electrical or engine maintenance.  We recently replaced our Cummins fuel transfer pump so the ability to lift our bed is important to us.

Our bed has a standard spring mattress with 3" of memory foam on top, so we should not have an extra heavy lift.  It always takes both of us to lift and we use a PVC pipe stored in electrical area to hold bed up.

It seems that the air lift struts offer little help.  After replacing air struts today, we find that lifting is no easier.  The old ones were impossible to manually collapse, so they were not worn out.

We were reluctant to install higher PSI rated struts as the mountings and bed hinge have to handle the stress of closed struts.  We are aware of a closed bed 'shooting' forward trapping the owner, when the hinge mounting screws gave out from new struts, so that was another reason to not uses pressures higher than 30 psi.  FYI, we think the person attacked by his bed was able to extract himself after a few days.

We hear that some have no problem lifting their bed, and some that have to latch down their bed to keep it down.  Wonder what psi these beds are using.

Re: Bed lifting air struts

Reply #1 –
Barry, I got mind from FOT, and if I remember right the pressure
on the ones for the bed are either 90# or 120#.  You might call Mike Grimes and ask him tomorrow.  Good luck,
Jimmy Freytag,  Ardmore, Ok
1999 36ft U320. — -SOLD—-
1988 40ft GV        1990 36ft U280
1993 40ft U280      1996 36ft U280
  TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN THE TIME WILL COME
            WHEN YOU NO LONGER CAN.

Re: Bed lifting air struts

Reply #2 –
Barry,
I replaced our original struts for the same reason with new ones bought at FOT. I also noticed no difference. We have a Latex foam mattress that may weigh a bit more than the one that came in our coach, but the old one would only occasionally stay up by itself, and not for long. While it is fairly heavy to lift, I can easily do it myself so I am sure that the struts are doing something. I also kept the old ones because they seemed to provide the same assist as the new. I am considering putting in some electric actuators to lift the bed... and while I am at it, I will have it trigger the opening Strauss theme from 2001 ;D  Mostly kidding about the last part... ::) but I would love to see the expression on a Cummins tech's face if I did that!
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Bed lifting air struts

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
We were reluctant to install higher PSI rated struts as the mountings and bed hinge have to handle the stress of closed struts.  We are aware of a closed bed 'shooting' forward trapping the owner, when the hinge mounting screws gave out from new struts, so that was another reason to not uses pressures higher than 30 psi. 
My Bed did lunge out at me after the screws at the edge of the platform holding the piano hinge gave way. I had to reinforce the piano hinge to give it more holding power. Works very well now. Bed Hinge Repair Modification
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Bed lifting air struts

Reply #4 –
Glad you survived cuz that would make for an embarrassing epitaph. :P
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: Bed lifting air struts

Reply #5 –
I also had a similar problem. The shocks I took off were only 30lbs. Called FOT and got 90-120lbs shocks. Now its perfect. 95U320SE. 
1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30

Re: Bed lifting air struts

Reply #6 –
Thanks Joe,

Looks like our replacing 30psi with another 30psi was the wrong move.

Re: Bed lifting air struts

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Looks like our replacing 30psi with another 30psi was the wrong move.

Guys,

A number of times now we've seen labels placed over the numbers pre-screened on the strut bodies to indicate a different strength.  I suspect your original bed struts were "stronger" than 30, but just missing the label to indicate it.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Bed lifting air struts

Reply #8 –
Ok, I have no idea on the PSI of our 2002 42Ft we had but I do know it was "locked down". At the foot of the bed there was a latch to hold the bed down.  We changed our struts but for the life of me, can't remember the PSI nor find the invoice. 

A call to FT will get you the correct answer.

Tom & Bill

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Re: Bed lifting air struts

Reply #9 –
For our 1993 U240, the correct gas springs for the bed: Attwood  SL25-170
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Bed lifting air struts

Reply #10 –
Brett,

Thanks for that Atwood part number. I need new bed struts... Will these work? They say SL25-170 as an alternate part number. Your bed on a U240 should be the same as the U225, I would think. Price of $35 for two seems pretty reasonable.

Would you happen to have the P/N for the basement bin door struts? I have them as 20" overall and 9" stroke but don't know the pressure.

Thanks,
Craig :)
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Bed lifting air struts

Reply #11 –
Attwood gas springs basement doors: SL-34-40
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Bed lifting air struts

Reply #12 –
Thanks, Brett... ordering a few of those.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."