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Topic: Engine hatch weight / gas springs (Read 723 times) previous topic - next topic

Engine hatch weight / gas springs

The engine hatch on our coach has always been a bit heavy to lift.  Lifting Fourdayoff's was a breeze, it almost jumps up.

The gas springs on ours were Attwood SL25-30's.  I believe this indicates it will provide 30# of lift.  I picked up these gas springs rated for 38# on Amazon to replace them.  Amazon.com: 27" 38lb Gas Strut Shock Lift Support for Truck Tonneau Cover...  It's like they weren't even on there.  Probably twice as heavy as the originals.

So then I bought their 87# variety.  Amazon.com: C16-13334 26" 87lb Gas Strut Shock Lift Support for Tonneau...  Got those installed tonight and I feel those are about what the worn out originals were.  How heavy is this darn hatch?  I could barely compress these 87#'ers leaning on them.

Has anyone ever weighed the hatch? 

What replacement gas springs are you using?

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Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Engine hatch weight / gas springs

Reply #1 –
Your not just lifting the latch but also overcoming the mechanical advantage of the arms. The doors move like four feet but the strut travel is much less

Re: Engine hatch weight / gas springs

Reply #3 –
It's actually not that bad.  I lift it up then tie the outer arm to the pivot arm with some 550 paracord so it can't move.  Then pop the old ones out and the new ones in.  You can grab the top of the cylinder, just below the plastic ball mount with a flat blade screw driver, then pull it down by pivoting it around the metal bracket.  Only needs to come down about 3/4" or so.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Engine hatch weight / gas springs

Reply #4 –
All be aware that some fully lifted rear engine hatches have been blown or accidently lowered on the back of someone leaning in over engine. Many have made safety holders with a couple of carabiners hooked over two round braces on one side, installed after hatch lifted.

On another note, Xtreme converts rear hatch to a top hinge lift that is very light weight and one of the best mods that can be made.

Re: Engine hatch weight / gas springs

Reply #5 –
Sounds like a great upgrade Barry, but not in the current plans.

Not understanding why this isn't working, I got out the scale and put it in the hydraulic press today.  I then squeezed down on the original SL25-30 gas springs...those are supposed to be 30# of lift?  They transferred 180# to the scale.

The replacement 38# gas springs transferred 80# to the scale.  No wonder they were way worse than the originals!  Since I felt the currently installed 87# units were a little weaker than the original ones, I'm guess it holds that about double the weight number is what they will transfer.  So the 87# units on the coach now will be around 170#...less than the originals.

I've ordered a set of 120# units, hoping they will be around 240# of weight on the scale.  If so, hopefully that's what my hatch needs to be a little easier to manage.  I'll weigh them before installing and weigh the 87#'ers when they come out.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Engine hatch weight / gas springs

Reply #6 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
Sounds like a great upgrade Barry, but not in the current plans.

Not understanding why this isn't working, I got out the scale and put it in the hydraulic press today.  I then squeezed down on the original SL25-30 gas springs...those are supposed to be 30# of lift?  They transferred 180# to the scale.

The replacement 38# gas springs transferred 80# to the scale.  No wonder they were way worse than the originals!  Since I felt the currently installed 87# units were a little weaker than the original ones, I'm guess it holds that about double the weight number is what they will transfer.  So the 87# units on the coach now will be around 170#...less than the originals.

I've ordered a set of 120# units, hoping they will be around 240# of weight on the scale.  If so, hopefully that's what my hatch needs to be a little easier to manage.  I'll weigh them before installing and weigh the 87#'ers when they come out.

Going to look funny when you and the wife are hanging on it to close it.. lol.. Just kiddin.. Id like to upgrade mine as well so when you are done playing let me know what you end up with... Older I get the heavier things become..
2002 U320 36' Single axle  MOST MODED IN HISTORY SO MUCH ITS ALMOST ILLIGAL
2 slides ( living room and bedroom)
undisclosed
male
female
genderless
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Re: Engine hatch weight / gas springs

Reply #7 –
Keith- what was the outcome with the new ones?
Jason
2000 U295 36' Non-slide  ISC350

Re: Engine hatch weight / gas springs

Reply #8 –
The strongest ones I could find measured out at 200#, so 20# each more than the ones that were on it.  I just haven't got around to installing them yet.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197