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07-05-2016, 03:14 PM
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#1
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Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 72
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Mini Lite under bed storage access
Hello everyone - we have a '15 Mini Lite 2104s, the one with the walk around queen bed (not the murphy bed). There is some storage under the foot of the bed, but lifting the lid and mattress to get to it is a real struggle, at least on ours. The hinges do not hold the lid up, and it is difficult to get a good grip on the handle because the mattress slides over your knuckles. We added a pillow top mattress topper but that should not be enough weight to account for the difficulty of operation. Generally it takes the 2 of us, one to hold up the lid and the other to reach in to get what we want. Is this how it's supposed to operate? Anyone have a resolution to making it easier to get at the contents? It's too much space to let go unused!
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Susan & Jim
2014 Ford F-150 (white, of course!)
2015 Rockwood Mini Lite 2104s
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07-05-2016, 05:41 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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You need springs/shocks to help raise the bed. Here's a Camping World version; there are others:
Heavy Bedlift Kit - Hatchlift 120-150 - Furnishing Accessories - Camping World
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1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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07-05-2016, 05:47 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: x
Posts: 12,423
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X2 with the bed lift
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Retired Navy
Jake my sidekick (yellow Lab) 10/04 - 05/20
2017 RAM 2500 CC 4X4 Cummins Diesel
2016 Flagstaff 26 FKWS
AF&AM & El Korah Shrine of Idaho
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07-06-2016, 10:25 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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I agree that you need some gas struts to assist you holding the bed up.
Be careful about the strength you get. The link above is for two 150 lb struts. That's a lot for a bed lift. You probably only need 40 to 60 lb units. The problem with the 150 lb units is that once you get it lifted you'll never be able to push it back down.
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Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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07-06-2016, 11:58 AM
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#5
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Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 72
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I hear you about over a sizing the gas struts. I read some online reviews about not being able to close the lid. They make a small and an extra small version, I just need to go measure the size of the storage compartment - it is pretty small. Thanks y'all!
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Susan & Jim
2014 Ford F-150 (white, of course!)
2015 Rockwood Mini Lite 2104s
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07-06-2016, 12:45 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 3
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Agree with the 40-60lb struts
We added to 40 to each side and it works ok but 60 probably would have been a little better. We have a pillow top on ours as well.
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2015 2109s
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07-06-2016, 01:05 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Cold Spring, KY
Posts: 83
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I keep a sawed off broom handle close by to hold it up while I'm in the trunk. Nothing fancy but works well.
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07-06-2016, 01:53 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 64
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we have a 2103 Mini Lite 2109S and it has struts on the under bed compartment.....if your has not it must be one more thing they have eliminated in the newer models
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07-06-2016, 02:02 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Cold Spring, KY
Posts: 83
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Ours also is a 2013 Mini Lite 2109S with the struts but the struts don't do the job alone. We have added a mattress topper that could be part of the problem. We love our Mini Lite and as of 10 minutes ago it is packed and ready for a 6 week trip out west. Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and everything in between. Leaving early tomorrow.
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Tom & Terri
2012 GMC Yukon
2013 Roockwood Mini Lite 2109s
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07-06-2016, 05:06 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 87
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chaslorr
we have a 2103 Mini Lite 2109S and it has struts on the under bed compartment.....if your has not it must be one more thing they have eliminated in the newer models
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When you have a moment could you post a photo of where the struts are mounted. Nothing time sensitive but I would like to add some struts to ours and having a photo may take some of the guess work out.
Thanks.
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2015 MiniLite 2109S
2016 Ram 3500 6.7
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07-06-2016, 06:55 PM
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#11
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Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 72
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Ditto that. Right now the broom handle is looking good to the DH and I need to make this as straightforward as possible.
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Susan & Jim
2014 Ford F-150 (white, of course!)
2015 Rockwood Mini Lite 2104s
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07-06-2016, 08:57 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Brazoria County, Texas
Posts: 1,460
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I had a 2014 for 2 1/2 years and we had gas struts. In fact, the 2703WS I've got now has the exact same bed and struts with a Serta on it. The old trailer would stay up, but the new one won't. Same struts, different mattress weight. Pull the one you've got and measure it (I believe closed length and inner rod length) and look online. They're about $10 - $20 ... I had to replace my 2104S door strut last year. I'd look for one about 150% of the one you have now and go from there.
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2015 Chevy Silverado LTZ - HD tow package
2017 Rockwood 2703WS Emerald Edition
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07-07-2016, 12:15 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 56
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I wouldn't give up my broom handle, so we have a 1" diameter dowel cut to length with a rubber cap on each end. Works like a champ when DH isn't available to hold the bed up for me
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ellen and ken, 3 dogs and Adventure Cat
2012 Mini Lite 2109S
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax/Allison
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07-09-2016, 08:19 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Tampa Bay area
Posts: 809
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we added a memory foam mattress so that underbed storage is strictly for extra towels & paper products ... don't have to get in to it too often
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Terri & Joe + Boont & Tasha
Camping a long weekend every month or so since May 2013 in our cute 21FBRS MicroLite to practice for retirement while living here in Florida
Joe is retired.... next camper ordered.... getting ready to change this signature really soon!
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