Adding Struts to storage compartment door???

[ncognet0]

Hello, I'm a new Montana owner, I recently bought a 3120RL 5th wheel, the right side basement (Storage) do has magnets to hold the door up, and came with strut mounts on the door but no struts. I want to add struts instead of using the magnets as I can envision my wife getting hurt with the magnetic door system. Does anyone know what size struts I can get to hold the door as open as I can get? I want the door to be mostly open when in use. Has anyone added struts to this door, if so what size of struts did you use?

[jsb5717]

Are there struts on the door on the opposite site of the trailer? There are on mine. Matching those should work just fine.

[ncognet0]

Yes, the big difference is above the other door is a slide out , so that door don't open as far. Im looking to add a longer one (if possible) so the door has more access via the door being more open.

[beeje]

Originally Posted by ncognet0

Yes, the big difference is above the other door is a slide out , so that door don't open as far. Im looking to add a longer one (if possible) so the door has more access via the door being more open.

Had the same issue with the door under our bed slide. I removed the screws from the jamb and moved the brackets up around a 1/2" . door now opens up 2 more inches.

Be careful how far you move them, a little does a lot. If you know what I mean.

[GHallof]

There should be a number on the shocks that you have if you want to match them up. If you want to add shocks and need assistance. The link below is the manufacturer of the shocks that Keystone uses. On their site you will see a link to a reseller "WHC". They are excellent to work with.

https://industrialgassprings.com/rv/

[Montana Man]

If your door opens all the way flush to the body perhaps you could add a latch to hold the door up as well as the magnets. The struts can be problmatic for several reasons.

[prndl]

The door on my Montana measures 52 3/8" wide and 30 1/2" tall.
The lower ball is mounted 14 1/2" from the lower inside flange
The ball on the door is 4" from the top of the door.
One of my struts is 100lbs, SUSPA brand C16-08054
The other is 60lbs, Volumeline brand GS 8AU203468BB0267
The BB part is blurry so could be 88 or something else.
Good luck.

[Rondo]

I put a magnet on out curbside basement door because I did not like the bending over every time I went to get something out and also the struts pulled out several times from the framework so I put ONE magnet on the door and ONE up on the side of the unit where the door magnet met the side of the unit. I purchased the magnets from my dealer and one magnet has worked for me now for over a year and I do a lot of opening that door to get to our second dormsize refrig in the basement. The magnets I purchased are really strong and it takes quite a bit of pressure to pull them apart. I don't think your wife would have a problem with them releasing and coming down on her but that is your choice. I've thought about putting a second one on the door like the newer Montana's have but I see no need for it with the strength of the ones I have on it now. I have a 2013 3582RL and have no problems with my mod at all. As has been said previously here in the thread, just go to the other side of the basement under the slide and copy that number down and order those if you need too.

[CLBoehme]

Just remember you will have to make sure of the piston stroke in the down position if you get longer struts. I have a 2020 HC 330RL with same configuration on both storage doors and hate bending over on bed slide side. My wife is tiny (5’4” 110lbs) and has never had a problem using magnet door after I showed her how. She’s also had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders too.

[DCHuts]

Got 80 lb struts and brackets on Amazon. 60 lb struts wont hold it up in cold weather.

[Oldharley]

just build yourself a sliding shelf so that you no longer have to lean in. My magnets have never failed and i like the door out of the way

[whutfles]

My 2010 Montana Mountaineer doesn't have struts or magnets. There is a spring loaded catch that you pull out to let the door go past which keeps the door open. You pull the catch out past the side of the door to let the door return down. You do have to screw this small catch into the side of the RV and caulk around it.

[beeje]

Originally Posted by whutfles

My 2010 Montana Mountaineer doesn't have struts or magnets. There is a spring loaded catch that you pull out to let the door go past which keeps the door open. You pull the catch out past the side of the door to let the door return down. You do have to screw this small catch into the side of the RV and caulk around it.

Yes that is the original old school way of holding them compartment doors open. I have one of those on the front compartment under the overhang

[RMcNeal]

Morryde makes a pull out tray like what is in my rear "Garage" on the 3791RD. They come in various sizes and they do make one for the front pass through "Basement" are as well. If you don't want to make your own.