 |
|
12-06-2015, 03:17 PM
|
#1
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Van Alstyne, TX
Posts: 150
|
Gas charged lift arm for bed storage?
Our Vibe under bed storage did not come with any lift supports for the box lid.
After searching, all I can find are for truck bed lids which do not attach with screws.
Has anyone added any lift support and if so what did you use and where did you get them?
Preferrably they would hold the lid up unassisted when open.
__________________
Mike and Susan
Cavalier King Charles - Jack (4) and Sadie (3)
2015 Columbus 320 RS
2017 Ram 3500 6.7 Diesel
|
|
|
|
12-06-2015, 03:44 PM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Western, MA
Posts: 430
|
This is the company that makes most of the lift struts for Forest River products. You will find a link to their complete catalog on their home page. There are tons of different lengths and bracket options. If I was starting from scratch, I'd just call their tech line. I'm sure they can tell you in 30 seconds the right unit(s) for your application. I had to call them once when I wanted to upgrade mine to a heavier strut as mine were having trouble holding my bed up. They couldn't be nicer and were happy to help...
LaVanture Products - Gas Springs & Accessories
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2015, 05:54 PM
|
#3
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Van Alstyne, TX
Posts: 150
|
Great, thanks!
__________________
Mike and Susan
Cavalier King Charles - Jack (4) and Sadie (3)
2015 Columbus 320 RS
2017 Ram 3500 6.7 Diesel
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2015, 06:35 PM
|
#4
|
|
Retired
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Sundeland, MA
Posts: 700
|
Just go to any trailer dealership that sells landscape trailers or "snowmobile trailers" (well maybe not in TX) Our trailers have the LaVanture struts and you can easily attach them to your TT bed frame. If the Windjammer wasn't hibernating I would send you a pic. Make sure you buy the ones that will stay open when fully extended.
Good luck with your mod.
Happy  Trails
__________________
2017 Columbus 340RK
GMC Sierra 3500HD Z71 6.6L Duramax/Allison
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2015, 06:43 PM
|
#5
|
|
Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
|
I got a set from a company called hatchlift.com. We've had them on two trailers now and love them.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
__________________
Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2015, 09:56 PM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Franklin County, PA
Posts: 3,526
|
I went on amazon and eBay and got mine. Also camping world has them.
__________________
2019 Puma XLE 27QBC Toy Hauler
2005 Honda VTX 1300
2002 Goldwing 1800GL CSC Trike
2020 Ram 2500 Crew cab 6.5 bed
Ron & Shirley (Empty Nesters)
|
|
|
|
|
12-07-2015, 03:34 PM
|
#7
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: KY and FL
Posts: 184
|
Thanks guys for the great info. I need a set of these for our bed too!! 
__________________
Larry W8PO & Lori N8IHJ and Louie the wonder dog
2014 Surveyor Cadet 265RLDS
2015 GMC Denali HD
|
|
|
|
|
12-07-2015, 03:58 PM
|
#8
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 8
|
I added a pair of struts but also installed a hinged bar that drops down when the bed is lifted to high position. Easy to fold up when lowering the bed and now I'm sure the bed will stay open.
__________________
Willietx
2010 Tracer 205M
2005 Tacoma Double Cab
Camping 2015 - 49
2016 - 73
|
|
|
|
|
12-07-2015, 05:28 PM
|
#9
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Van Alstyne, TX
Posts: 150
|
I went with Hatchlift since I could find exactly what I needed online.
The lady I talked to at Lavanture told me I need to tell them what I needed...I probably didn't talk to the right person.
Willie, I may add an extra drop down for support as well...will see when these get here. The guy told at Hatchlift told me they are made to hold them open.
Thanks all!
__________________
Mike and Susan
Cavalier King Charles - Jack (4) and Sadie (3)
2015 Columbus 320 RS
2017 Ram 3500 6.7 Diesel
|
|
|
|
|
12-07-2015, 05:34 PM
|
#10
|
|
Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
|
Ours stays up.. Without a pill..
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
__________________
Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
|
|
|
|
|
12-11-2015, 09:53 PM
|
#11
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 532
|
  
This is what I installed so the lift would stay up with the weight of the mattress. Love it. Lift all the way and set down on the locks, lift up again to release the locks and lower bed down.
2013 Georgetown XL 350
Bunkhouse
2002 F250 4X4 CC
2012 Jeep Liberty
|
|
|
|
|
12-11-2015, 10:20 PM
|
#12
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Western, MA
Posts: 430
|
Don't forget to charge your phone! LOL 
|
|
|
|
|
12-11-2015, 10:22 PM
|
#13
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,223
|
The lifts (2) came installed from the factory on my unit. It keeps the bed up OK but when I lower it I have to hold the bed securely or it will fall down like there was nothing there. Is this normal or should I look into replacing them?
__________________
BIRDS AREN’T REAL
|
|
|
|
|
12-11-2015, 10:57 PM
|
#14
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Western, MA
Posts: 430
|
I'd say you're fine. On mine, they wouldn't hold the bed up at all. If it holds them up, you're doing alright...
|
|
|
|
|
12-11-2015, 10:59 PM
|
#15
|
|
Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by emm-dee
The lifts (2) came installed from the factory on my unit. It keeps the bed up OK but when I lower it I have to hold the bed securely or it will fall down like there was nothing there. Is this normal or should I look into replacing them?
|
They are fine. Mine spring back into the closed position. At some point the angle of the bed and strut will cause the bed to cam back shut. This is so the bed stays closed.
__________________
Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
|
|
|
|
|
12-11-2015, 11:04 PM
|
#16
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,223
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by doc73
They are fine. Mine spring back into the closed position. At some point the angle of the bed and strut will cause the bed to cam back shut. This is so the bed stays closed.
|
Thanks. Good to know. I guess I'll just be more careful so I don't get my fingers crushed again.
__________________
BIRDS AREN’T REAL
|
|
|
|
|
12-11-2015, 11:05 PM
|
#17
|
|
Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
|
Yes.. Mine can come down with some force. You can try to move the strut a bit further away from its closed position. It will relieve some of the force. But, if you go to far it will not stay shut.
__________________
Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
|
|
|
|
|
12-12-2015, 01:07 AM
|
#18
|
|
I go RV'ing not Camping
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Lethbridge, Ab, Canada
Posts: 1,482
|
My struts held up the bed just fine, until I added 3/4 inch sheet of plywood on top of my bed to extend the frame to a full size queen mattress from the Queen short that my trailer came with. Now it is way to heavy for the struts to hold up the mattress, so I have to be super careful opening and closing.
__________________
312QBUD Owners Thread
2015 Wildwood Heritage Glen 312QBUD
2000 Chev 2500 Extended Cab 6 Liter
1400lbs Equal-i-zer Hitch
|
|
|
|
|
12-12-2015, 05:34 AM
|
#19
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Franklin County, PA
Posts: 3,526
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jgourlie
My struts held up the bed just fine, until I added 3/4 inch sheet of plywood on top of my bed to extend the frame to a full size queen mattress from the Queen short that my trailer came with. Now it is way to heavy for the struts to hold up the mattress, so I have to be super careful opening and closing.
|
If you placed the other plywood on top of what was there why don't you just take out the bottom layer of plywood and screw the hinges in the one you added. Less weight.
__________________
2019 Puma XLE 27QBC Toy Hauler
2005 Honda VTX 1300
2002 Goldwing 1800GL CSC Trike
2020 Ram 2500 Crew cab 6.5 bed
Ron & Shirley (Empty Nesters)
|
|
|
|
|
12-12-2015, 06:56 AM
|
#20
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
|
The total of 3/4 ply and the bigger mat is the issue,they need Larger PSI struts!  Youroo!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
