Getting bed to stay up?

[robnrobin]

Hi,
We are new owners of a 2013 Keystone Passport 238.
I am wondering what others may have done to get the bed to stay up while going through or loading the storage bay underneath. Is there any kind of hydraulic arm one could buy or? Just looking for ideas. Thanks!

[ken56]

Yes, there are support struts available for this very purpose. Most any RV dealer and parts store should carry them or go online to a site like etrailer.com or camping world.

[ctbruce]

Doing a search on "bed struts" will lead yu to lots of threads .

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[notanlines]

Rob, be careful with the installation and follow the directions to a T. We don't want another episode of "I Love Lucy." :D

[Tbos]

The right length 2x2 might work.


2016 Passport GT 2810BHS, 2016 F350 CC DRW

[JRTJH]

The right length 2x2 might work.


^^^ What he said. If the bed platform isn't too heavy and you can easily lift it, it might be much simpler to just build a "prop rod" out of a 1x2 or a 2x2 to just hold the bed platform up while you access the storage. Much like the prop rods that are used to hold up the hood on many cars.

[robnrobin]

Thank you for your reply. That does sound actually pretty simple. I'll just make it long enough to hold the bed up but short enough to fit back into the bed cubby when done.

[linux3]

The right length 2x2 might work.
2016 Passport GT 2810BHS, 2016 F350 CC DRW

We never thought of this. What a great idea.

[Tbos]

Thank you for your reply. That does sound actually pretty simple. I'll just make it long enough to hold the bed up but short enough to fit back into the bed cubby when done.



You might consider screwing a small block on the bottom of the bed to keep it from sliding on you. The other end can be put against a frame piece at the bottom to keep it from sliding. You could also notch it if you wanted to put it on the front edge of compartment.


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[cpaulsen]

I use a piece of 3/4" pvc pipe cut at an angle to fit the platform when up and use a couple of plastic closet rod holders so the pipe will not move.

[Tbos]

I use a piece of 3/4" pvc pipe cut at an angle to fit the platform when up and use a couple of plastic closet rod holders so the pipe will not move.



Good idea.


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[WNY Bullet]

I bought my supports from these guys:

http://www.hatchlift.com/bedlift-kits

[mikef]

I bought this lift kit off Amazon for my 2018 2400bh. I was happy to get the brackets and lifts but needed to get bolts and reinforce the sides. The 2400bh has a very thin sheet of wood under the mattress so if you screw through as the instructions show then you will screw into the mattress. I drilled through and inserted a bolt from the top down. For the installation on the side walls I inserted a piece of wood on each side to reinforce it as the factory boards are 1x1 and not strong enough to support the lifts. The instructions called for 4 inches from the front corner and that worked fine. The top only allows for 39” height and the upper brackets were placed where they extended once I opened it 39”. It all then worked fine with the standard full size queen. I added a foam topper and it still held it open and stayed closed. Make sure you order the right size for your bed type. Also added a couple of battery led lights and finished. RV in storage so don’t have any pictures. Found a few video examples on YouTube and they helped a little.

Love the ease to lift the bed now. Wish it opened more than 39” but it is still helpful. Easy to install.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KPR2DZI/ref=cm_sw_r_em_tai_7.NCAb74JST14

[fourfourto]

I installed a 1x2 with a hinge also added a behind a door shoe holder cut it to fit and thumbtacked it to the back wall works good (you can see it a little bit thru laundry opening I made on the side

[gregrc75]

I like the prop rod idea, mush like a car hood. I think I might do that.

Great idea with the laundry door. What did you use to cleanly cut the luan panel to make the opening? I did something similar by building a drawer but I made a mess of the luan panel cutting it.

[travelin texans]

When cutting the luan use the blue painters tape with your cuts marked over it & cut through the tape with fine toothed blade, no scratches or splinters.

[fourfourto]

I like the prop rod idea, mush like a car hood. I think I might do that.

Great idea with the laundry door. What did you use to cleanly cut the luan panel to make the opening? I did something similar by building a drawer but I made a mess of the luan panel cutting it.

I was thinking of adding a draw on the other side(good match where did you get it ?)

Similar to the Texans I used blue tape and marked it then slowly etched a line with a razor cutter(new blade) drilled small hole in each corner then worked it through and applied pressure ,nice clean cut.

[gregrc75]

Thanks both! I will give that a try.

I built the drawer out of finer grade birch plywood and ordered a matching cabinet door. I used the cabinet door as the drawer front. I ordered it from Trekwood.com

[mikef]

I installed a 1x2 with a hinge also added a behind a door shoe holder cut it to fit and thumbtacked it to the back wall works good (you can see it a little bit thru laundry opening I made on the sideGreat job. I love the use of the shoe holder.

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[mikef]

I like the prop rod idea, mush like a car hood. I think I might do that.

Great idea with the laundry door. What did you use to cleanly cut the luan panel to make the opening? I did something similar by building a drawer but I made a mess of the luan panel cutting it.Beautiful work. I hope my wife doesn't see this picture:)

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[fourfourto]

Thanks both! I will give that a try.

I built the drawer out of finer grade birch plywood and ordered a matching cabinet door. I used the cabinet door as the drawer front. I ordered it from Trekwood.com

I was only going to put a door up ,figured I would find one by now that somebody was throwing out .

[Cadydid]

Glad I read this post. Solved a couple of questions I had concerning the same things. Thanks guys.

[Msmith2054]

All good ideas. If they fail, have you tried Viagra? LOL.

[TheRealMacGyver]

I will tell you what I did on mine: I removed the face, which is really just cosmetic, and found bins to fill in the space, which can easily be slid out. The piece I removed is safely stored and can be put back easily.

[SRD]

In my opinion after using broom handles and other props to hold my bed up ,I purchased a bed lift kit from Hatchlift.com. Once it is installed you will be so glad you went that route. Installation can take some time to find how the kit will work with your layout. It is well worth the time and money.

[cpaulsen]

Another thing you can do is just move the struts. Move the bottom struts 2" closer to the front. If that is not enough....move them a little more.