lifter arms for storage area doors

[Montana_1173]

Wondering if anyone has installed hydraulic lift arms, similiar to those on the hatch door of an SUV to hold open large (and heavy) storage area doors. Not really fond of the little clip factory-installed to hold these doors open.

[Imp]

We don't like those little clips also...hydraulic lifts sound good..
Myrna

[jrgwdenner]

I second that motion. Let's find some info and maybe we can all do an upgrade.

[richfaa]

Do not know why that would not work.I will bet there are higher dollar Fifth wheels or Motor homes that do that.It is really a good idea..lets all do some goggle searches..

[Broome101]

I Had dealer install them on mine when I did the walk trough. Cabinet over refig and over entertainment center they did it on the spot. They work great I think the tag had on there the pair was only $4.00, only took one per cabinet door.

[stiles watson]

With the weight and size of the storage compartment doors, I don't think a $4.00 device will do the job. I am assuming the doors of concern are the "basement doors". It would seem that something on the order of the twin cylinders similar to those used on car or truck hoods might work, but I can't see it being a low dollar item.

[dsprik]

Kountry Aire by Newmar had these on their side cargo doors in the video that was on their website. Looked really sharp.

[BigBlue]

Camping World has them in models from 120 lb lifting force to 22 lb lifting force. The most expensive is $17.00. They showed how to replace them on RV Today as one of their maintenance hints. Didn't look to difficult.

[BigBlue]

They call them gas props when you search for them.


Gas Prop (120 Force lb, extended 20", compressed 11.8")

[melnjoy]

Reading this thread makes me think of last summer. I wanted to put Hydraulic openers on our cupboards over the fridge and above the Dining Table, so we looked all over the Internet and did find "some" but were wholesale only, unless we wanted to spend hundreds of dollars. A little while after that, we were in the Oregon Camping World getting our W/D installed and while waiting we "shopped" around. Guess what we found? Yep, hydraulic openers. They were kind of expensive and you have to buy the brackets separately, but I really wanted them, and I almost always get what I want, (I know, very spoiled!), so anyway Mel bought them.

They were about 8-10 long and about 1/2" around. However, they were too big and too strong to work for the cupboards so we returned them. I wonder now if they were not supposed to be used for side storage area doors? My guess is that they were.

So if anyone's interested, they have them at Camping World.

Joy

[bob n pam]

Joy, Bob installed little lifts on the door over our fridge. We bought them at an RV supply store, the are spring barrel lifts that screw right into the side frame and then to the door. They were inexpensive and work great. If you want I'll post a pic.

Pam

[dsprik]

I'd like to see, Pam

[Searchers]

I not sure the basement storage doors are on the Montana (or any trailer) are sturdy or thick enough to provide support for the gas strut attachment. Those struts are mainly used to support heavier items I believe. I'll be interested to see the long term results if anyone installs them.

[melnjoy]

Pam,
yes! I'd love to see them! Those doors drive me insane! Thanks.

Joy

[kwbosch]

quote:Originally posted by mullen

Wondering if anyone has installed hydraulic lift arms, similiar to those on the hatch door of an SUV to hold open large (and heavy) storage area doors. Not really fond of the little clip factory-installed to hold these doors open.

Ok, since nobody has found them yet, here’s a link:
http://www.mcmaster.com/ Anybody can buy from them.
Once there, type in “gas strut” (without the quotes) in the find products box.
Page 1100 has miniature struts with a 5lb force probably would work well for a cabinet.
Page 1097 shows the formulas and instructions for calculating the force and stroke you'll need.

In the future, I'm planning on adding these to my front and side basement doors. I'll probably just go snoop around the local Teton dealer and take some measurements.
They've already done all the math

Ken

[dsprik]

http://www.newmarcorp.com/video/vide...ullTime=166000

If you watch about 3/4 of the way through, you will see the placement of these lifter arms on the basement doors of this Newmar Kountry Aire (Starts at $104K), and yes this 5ver looks wide because it is... 101".

But the lifter arms on the basement door really caught my attention the first time I saw this - even before this topic.

This gives you a good perspective of where and how Newmar attached these struts on the door.

[kwbosch]

Wow, cool video Dave.
It would sure hurt buying tires for that TV and 5er combo....

[dsprik]

That sure is a LOT of rubber...

[dsprik]

Tandem dualies.

Don't want to run over a box of nails that accidentally fell out of someone's truck.

TV (6) + 5ver (8) = 14 tires.

Oops, sorry... back to the struts.

[capn chris]

I added the little lifts to the cabinet door over the frig. Works great and beats getting hit on the head trying to get stuff out! Inexpensive, too. Got them at local RV dealer.