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Topic: Bed lift-Engine door struts, pound ratings (Read 706 times) previous topic - next topic

Bed lift-Engine door struts, pound ratings

Hi All
I searched the past forums on this topic for an hour and my head hurts! What a world of knowledge from you all. Yup, the search feature is your friend, thanks. But I got all different opinions on the pound ratings of the rear lift engine door, and bed lifts. But couldn't come to a rock solid answer for our 1997 U295 36'
What has been the successful pound rating for you on the bed lifts, with an added pillow top (12" mattress). I don't want to stress the hinge. I don't mind helping it up a little. But she is a bugger now. I am sure the old one's are worn out, which doesn't help.
I have read from 90#-120#'s and a few 170#'s. Also the length I have for the bed lift is 27" extended-19" retracted . None of the numbers on the cylinders help.
Same for the engine door. I see anywhere from 120#'s-150#'s. I get 27" extended-17" retracted.
From what I read, the bed and engine lifts should be the same length, but this is what I got when I measured them on the coach.
I have the tool to put them on, and have the correct pound's and length's for all the others except the rear side engine flip ups. Do you have those pound ratings? I get 20" extended-19" retracted.
Thanks in advance for your help
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Bed lift-Engine door struts, pound ratings

Reply #1 –
If I can find my receipts I will give you the #'s I called FT and talked to Mike He gave me the part numbers and the Lbs. for rear and bed. I removed the factory mattress and put in a 14" multilayered foam gel. The lifts will not lift it but will hold it after extending. The coach came with a fan and the mattress does hit it so I have to land softly at the top. The rear hatch needs assistance also then "cams over at the top" and holds.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Bed lift-Engine door struts, pound ratings

Reply #2 –
Quote from: craneman –
If I can find my receipts I will give you the #'s I called FT and talked to Mike He gave me the part numbers and the Lbs. for rear and bed. I removed the factory mattress and put in a 14" multilayered foam gel. The lifts will not lift it but will hold it after extending. The coach came with a fan and the mattress does hit it so I have to land softly at the top. The rear hatch needs assistance also then "cams over at the top" and holds.

Thanks. My engine door ins't bad, I just have to help it.
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Bed lift-Engine door struts, pound ratings

Reply #3 –
The number for both rear and bed is sl251701 170 lb. That Mike sent me. The link is just for measurement's They came from FT

SL251701 by ATTWOOD - Buy or Repair at Radwell - Radwell.com
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Bed lift-Engine door struts, pound ratings

Reply #4 –
Quote from: craneman –
The number for both rear and bed is sl251701 170 lb. That Mike sent me. The link is just for measurement's They came from FT

SL251701 by ATTWOOD - Buy or Repair at Radwell - Radwell.com
Thank you,so the bed and back are the same. Now I just need the flip up side door pounds.

BTW, are those 10 mm (3/8") ball ends? Doesn't say
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Bed lift-Engine door struts, pound ratings

Reply #5 –
The rear door is not designed to lift itself, only assist.  If we switch from the OEM mattress, the struts are too weak and you risk damaging the bed assembly without redesigning the hinge.  Most of us are satisfied with the 170#'s, lifting the rest of the way ourselves, and then using some form of strut to keep the bed up.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Bed lift-Engine door struts, pound ratings

Reply #6 –
Our notes from two years ago...

installed 170psi which is maximum offered by Foretravel or MOT.  Because strut is longer than an open bed space, and strut cannot be manually made shorter to connect to 2nd ball, bed must be raised higher than normal. 

So mattress must be slid off the foot of the bed and positioned standing up to ceiling.  The side floors are not long enought to fit bed upright, so only the foot of the bed will allow mattress to stand vertical.   

With mattress on bed, the mattress hits ceiling preventing full lift.  With mattress off bed, wood platform can be hinged much more before it hits the ceiling, allowing for easy attachment of new struts while being fully extended.

Re: Bed lift-Engine door struts, pound ratings

Reply #7 –
Thanks, I have the tool to collapsible the cylinder. But good info. Are they 13 mm ball sockets on the bed, or 10 mm (3/8") like the rest of the coach spring lifts?
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Bed lift-Engine door struts, pound ratings

Reply #8 –
Mine are the same size as the rest of the air springs.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Bed lift-Engine door struts, pound ratings

Reply #9 –
Quote from: craneman –
Mine are the same size as the rest of the air springs.
Thank you
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Bed lift-Engine door struts, pound ratings

Reply #10 –
My hinge pulled loose so I replaced with more substantial hinge. I used 190 pound strut springs. Easy up and holds.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.