Ratcheting braces for underbed storage

[LHaven]

Non-Keystone...

My son has an older MH that he has just outfitted with mucho fancy hi-tech batteries in preparation for solar. They're located under the master bed, which is engineered for such things (vented, etc.) because it's where all the factory electricals are located in this model.

There's still enough room in the underbed "storage" for the gear he usually keeps there, but now it's located further back, and he needs to raise the bed higher to access the compartment comfortably. He had to detach his gas struts because they're not long enough.

What he wants is to find braces with a simple ratcheting mechanism: raise it to the height he wants, relax to lock it, then raise and drop when he's done. He doesn't need the lift-assist, he's just interested in getting a good height and a good lock.

Does anybody know of favorite hardware for this application?

[bobbecky]

A broom stick works great for holding the bed up.

[LHaven]

He in fact has that now. He's looking for something that holds up both sides of the bed at the same time, plus doesn't get in his way when he's trying to get junk out of the hole.

[RV Vacation]

.
.
Have you looked in to "Hatch Stays"? Used to keep large hatch doors open.

Just a thought.

[LHaven]

Ooh! Great stuff there, I've referred him to it. Thanks!

The trick is to know the right terms to websearch. "Ratchet hinge." "ratchet lift," "ratchet brace," and "ratchet support" weren't getting me very far... the few interesting items were anything but heavy-duty.

[Martian]

Why not get longer struts?

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by Martian

Why not get longer struts?

The whole strut geometry issue is beyond either of us. When I upgraded my mattress, I installed stronger struts on the original mounts. I ended up with a lid that would stay neither open nor closed. At rest, it actually floated. I couldn't experiment with modifying the attachment points because only the original points were reinforced enough to accommodate a strut. I was reduced to the manual PVC post solution. He'd just rather go straight to a manual solution that is permanently installed.

[RV Vacation]

Hatch stays are usually short stroked and hold a lot of weight. I hope your son is able to find what he needs. Some hatch stays do create sticker shock though. Danged things can be pricey.

Good luck, be well and safe travels.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by LHaven

The whole strut geometry issue is beyond either of us. When I upgraded my mattress, I installed stronger struts on the original mounts. I ended up with a lid that would stay neither open nor closed. At rest, it actually floated. I couldn't experiment with modifying the attachment points because only the original points were reinforced enough to accommodate a strut. I was reduced to the manual PVC post solution. He'd just rather go straight to a manual solution that is permanently installed.

What about a nice 2X2 anchored on a pivot at the rear of the space and a block attached to the bottom of the mattress platform. When your done the 2X2 lays down on the sides.

[WNY Bullet]

Like this? https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Elcom-P1...f627f415e8d08b

Or this:
https://www.guden.com/itemdisplay/cam-stays

[tallen]

Originally Posted by LHaven

Non-Keystone...

My son has an older MH that he has just outfitted with mucho fancy hi-tech batteries in preparation for solar. They're located under the master bed, which is engineered for such things (vented, etc.) because it's where all the factory electricals are located in this model.

There's still enough room in the underbed "storage" for the gear he usually keeps there, but now it's located further back, and he needs to raise the bed higher to access the compartment comfortably. He had to detach his gas struts because they're not long enough.

What he wants is to find braces with a simple ratcheting mechanism: raise it to the height he wants, relax to lock it, then raise and drop when he's done. He doesn't need the lift-assist, he's just interested in getting a good height and a good lock.

Does anybody know of favorite hardware for this application?

Long shot here but what about this???

https://www.harborfreight.com/ratche...bar-96811.html

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by WNY Bullet

Like this? https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Elcom-P1...f627f415e8d08b

Or this:
https://www.guden.com/itemdisplay/cam-stays

Wow, these all look great. I forwarded them so he can pick his desired size and strength. Thanks!

[WNY Bullet]

Originally Posted by LHaven

Wow, these all look great. I forwarded them so he can pick his desired size and strength. Thanks!

Glad to help, I hope they work out for him!

[hlh1]

Curious, is he sleeping on top of a bunch of lithium batteries?

[LHaven]

He is indeed. When I questioned his choice of "battery box," he pointed out that the factory had already allocated the breaker box, converter, inverter, and interconnections to that same compartment, and it already had positive ventilation, so it was the logical choice for the new battery bank. The extra 600 lbs. is also somewhat of a concern to me, but he's aware of it.

[hlh1]

It's probably just fine, but I know of too many people that have had lithium battery fires. And lead acid batteries can produce hydrogen gas... :-)

[LHaven]

The fire thing is certainly on everybody's mind these days. The house batteries in his rig (2x6v) are inside the cabin under the floor at the entry door, but at least that's at the other end of the cabin.