Bed lift gas struts

[mdstudey]

I need for my bed. I am trying to figure out what size gas lifts to use. I will have a mattress that weighs about 75 pounds (short queen pillow top) and the support platform opens full size (not just a little section). I have been reading about them and from what I am understanding is that the size like 100# is the pressure it takes to close the lifts. I am figuring with bed linens, mattress and platform I will be close to that 100# mark. I just don't want it to come crashing down on our head.

Thanks in advance.

[gpaw56]

Check hatchlift, http://www.hatchlift.com. You should find what you need. You can buy them online, RV dealers CW etc.

[SeaDog]

Get something close to the original pressure I made the mistake on my class A of putting much stronger lifts and the darn bed would open went I went over a bump.

[jgump]

I replaced my original lifts on my 2016 Wildwood with queen bed with two 100# lifts from Amazon Works beautifully and no issues opening or closing. I would think two 100# lifts would be fine in your case.

[Steelhorzz]

Originally Posted by jgump

I replaced my original lifts on my 2016 Wildwood with queen bed with two 100# lifts from Amazon Works beautifully and no issues opening or closing. I would think two 100# lifts would be fine in your case.

Our rig has a King size bed. When out struts wore out I purchased 2 of the 100 lb. pressure!

Never worked better, doesn't fall on my head when I'm under neath getting something out.
They don't pop open when driving.
It's either open or shut!!

[slottere]

Originally Posted by mdstudey

I need for my bed. I am trying to figure out what size gas lifts to use. I will have a mattress that weighs about 75 pounds (short queen pillow top) and the support platform opens full size (not just a little section). I have been reading about them and from what I am understanding is that the size like 100# is the pressure it takes to close the lifts. I am figuring with bed linens, mattress and platform I will be close to that 100# mark. I just don't want it to come crashing down on our head.

Thanks in advance.

Just jot down your base measurements & estimated weights, then contact Hatchlift/BedLift & explain your situation [303-233-6083]. They are very helpful & will make sure you get the right setup.....It can be a fine line between not having enough lift or having too much....either one is a PITA!

[hbillsmith]

Everything About Fixing Bed Strurs

That thread also has the supplier Amazon link. Very easy job.

[Murbella7]

Originally Posted by mdstudey

I need for my bed. I am trying to figure out what size gas lifts to use. I will have a mattress that weighs about 75 pounds (short queen pillow top) and the support platform opens full size (not just a little section). I have been reading about them and from what I am understanding is that the size like 100# is the pressure it takes to close the lifts. I am figuring with bed linens, mattress and platform I will be close to that 100# mark. I just don't want it to come crashing down on our head.

Thanks in advance.

As I am old and frail (according to friends) I struggle lifting our king bed, it's heavy. The original gas struts didn't help. I installed an 18" linear activator, bought from eBay. Fantastic. I used a on-off-on DPDT switch mounted on the front panel, hidden from view because of mattress/base overhang. Now if I want to raise the bed to get to our 'wine cellar' and can storage box I flip the switch with my toe. It auto stops at the top of its travel. Closing up I flip the switch to the 'down' position and wait until the bed hits the surround/support frame/box and flip it to the centre-off position. I could fiddle with the limit stop in the actuator to make it auto-stop but can't be bothered un hooking it again. I may do it one day. I also bought a natty little remote controller for 12v things from eBay ($15) but have yet to try it. It handles 4 circuits/devices.

[mdstudey]

Originally Posted by Murbella7

As I am old and frail (according to friends) I struggle lifting our king bed, it's heavy. The original gas struts didn't help. I installed an 18" linear activator, bought from eBay. Fantastic. I used a on-off-on DPDT switch mounted on the front panel, hidden from view because of mattress/base overhang. Now if I want to raise the bed to get to our 'wine cellar' and can storage box I flip the switch with my toe. It auto stops at the top of its travel. Closing up I flip the switch to the 'down' position and wait until the bed hits the surround/support frame/box and flip it to the centre-off position. I could fiddle with the limit stop in the actuator to make it auto-stop but can't be bothered un hooking it again. I may do it one day. I also bought a natty little remote controller for 12v things from eBay ($15) but have yet to try it. It handles 4 circuits/devices.

Now that is very cool!!!

[mdstudey]

Originally Posted by slottere

Just jot down your base measurements & estimated weights, then contact Hatchlift/BedLift & explain your situation [303-233-6083]. They are very helpful & will make sure you get the right setup.....It can be a fine line between not having enough lift or having too much....either one is a PITA!

I hope I got the right size. I went to one of our local RV dealers to ask them and all I got was a guy looking at his computer screen (not related to my question) and he said 80# to 100#. So I struggled to get the size off of the rack. Then I asked for help for the brackets. When I got home and started thinking about it, one of them was totally wrong. The guy helping could slap his A** with both hands if he tried. I thought that maybe I could download the instructions for this brand on the internet. Wrong!! So, I ordered the Hatchlift off Amazon based on the reviews and how they (Hatchlift) answered questions. The bracket I purchased locally did not even have screws with them. So I took them back today and told them why. I did not mention the lack of service. They are suppose to be the largest (and they are) RV accessory and parts dealer in the Rio Grande Valley. You could stand in the middle all day and no one would help you, but walk to where the RV's are and they are as thick as flies wanting to help. Now when they get here I will have my DH help me install them and un-box the new mattress.

[Murbella7]

Originally Posted by mdstudey

I hope I got the right size. I went to one of our local RV dealers to ask them and all I got was a guy looking at his computer screen (not related to my question) and he said 80# to 100#. So I struggled to get the size off of the rack. Then I asked for help for the brackets. When I got home and started thinking about it, one of them was totally wrong. The guy helping could slap his A** with both hands if he tried. I thought that maybe I could download the instructions for this brand on the internet. Wrong!! So, I ordered the Hatchlift off Amazon based on the reviews and how they (Hatchlift) answered questions. The bracket I purchased locally did not even have screws with them. So I took them back today and told them why. I did not mention the lack of service. They are suppose to be the largest (and they are) RV accessory and parts dealer in the Rio Grande Valley. You could stand in the middle all day and no one would help you, but walk to where the RV's are and they are as thick as flies wanting to help. Now when they get here I will have my DH help me install them and un-box the new mattress.

Remember that gas lifts eventually run out of puff and will need to be replaced. Although that time may be after you move on to another unit.

[ray98]

Ours didn't come with struts at all. I think I am going to install some.

[mdstudey]

Originally Posted by ray98

Ours didn't come with struts at all. I think I am going to install some.

Here are some tips for you, things where I screwed up.

1. Make sure you measure your size that opens up. Measure from the end of the outside of the platform. I measured the opening and ordered the wrong size.

2. I clipped the strut on and found out I had the wrong size. If ordering from Hatchlift you cannot return if installed.

3. If you order from Hatchlift you can no longer get phone support. When I ordered directly from them via Amazon, I ordered the wrong size. They say they will send you replacement struts (if they have not been installed) but they never answered my email.

4. Bed weight matters. I am going to assume the new bed I bought is an oversize bed (since I can't reach them by phone to get their opinion). The bed that came with the TT was a thick piece of foam. I am going with a coil pillow top 10". A 10" foam is about 25 pounds lighter.

5. I am going back to my local dealer just for the fact that I don't want to wait for replacement to arrive.

6. Hatchlift has a really nice kit with all of the s!@# and kaboodle. You won't need to go to the hardward store and try to figure out what you need in screws. My only complaint is that you cannot talk to them directly. They say they will answer their email in 24 to 48 hours that did not happen for me.

With that said our local big RV dealer did not know what they were doing at all. I am not sure they gave me the right brackets.

Hope this helps and gives you some food for thought. I will post a pic when I am done.

[youroo]

Placement of the "Brackets" is just as important as # size of the struts! In regards to Beds adding a "Waffle Top or any other Memory Foam Topper" will really have a effect on the lifting of the bed! Youroo!!

[MontanaWill]

I recently replaced my bed struts. This is what I have: queen mattress, memory foam topper, partial platform opening, about 46". I bought the Hatchlift Std struts. They are 20" and marked at 80#. This is what I learned: the struts cannot be extended, they can only be compressed. When open they are at full length of 20", when closed they are compressed a bit. Instructions say to mount them so closed length is 19". I did mine at 17" closed and they still work but a bit harder to operate. The dimensions in the instructions should be referenced to the same line. use the inside edge of the base. Transfer a line to the platform that is same as the inside edge of the base(from foot of bed). The lower pivot pin is located 3" in and the upper pin located 22" in. This gives the offset of 19". The lower pin is below top of base 1 1/2". The upper pin is located 1 3/4" below the Platform using the 3/4" plywood spacer provided. You have to use the spacer. when closed the upper pin is now 1/4" below the lower pin and the force of the strut will keep the bed closed. The opening is only about 16". to increase the opening size move the mounting points closer to the hinge, keep the same 19" offset. Moving closer to the hinge will increase the force on the struts. After a certain point closer to the hinge the struts cannot keep the bed up. Trial and error can be used to get the most lift without overstressing the struts. I used a prop stick to hold up the bed while working. Attach a block to the platform to keep stick in place.

[SlowrideHD]

The very first time that I lifted the bed platform on our Cedar Creek, both strut brackets tore loose from the bed frame because of poor screw selection and installation.
After I removed the bed platform to fabricate some stiffening ribs from 2x4's (keeps us from rolling to the center) and re-installed the platform, I never fixed the cheap struts. We just leave it closed.
Also, when I removed the bed platform for the rib retrofit, I noticed all 5 of the big nuts that hold the bedroom slide to the hydraulic ram were loose, with 2 or 3 of them laying in the floor. By the way, this is all that keeps your bedroom slide from falling out of the camper as you drive down the road....so if you have never checked them...might want to take a look. It was obvious that someone had just started the washers and nuts on the bolts and never went back and tightened them. I put on a very generous amount of threadlocker on them when I put it back together.