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11-11-2023, 06:30 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,314
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Ratcheting braces for underbed storage
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?
__________________
2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
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11-11-2023, 07:26 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 2,910
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A broom stick works great for holding the bed up.
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Bob & Becky
2012 3402 Montana
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC
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11-11-2023, 08:30 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,314
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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.
__________________
2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
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11-11-2023, 09:40 PM
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#4
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: Erie
Posts: 109
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.
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Have you looked in to "Hatch Stays"? Used to keep large hatch doors open.
Just a thought.
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11-11-2023, 10:26 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,314
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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.
__________________
2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
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11-12-2023, 06:45 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: Independent Republic of Horry
Posts: 117
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Why not get longer struts?
__________________
2018 Ram 1500 crew cab, 2020 Cougar 22RBS
Just the two of us on the roam with our two Jacks.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. A.E.
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11-12-2023, 11:38 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,314
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Martian
Why not get longer struts?
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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.
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11-12-2023, 01:29 PM
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#8
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: Erie
Posts: 109
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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.
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11-12-2023, 04:28 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,357
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Quote:
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.
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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.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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11-14-2023, 04:30 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 591
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__________________
Mike & Barb
2015 Keystone Bullet Premier 26RBPR
2018 Cedar Creek 36CK2
2017 Chevy Silverado LT Z71
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11-14-2023, 05:13 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Huntsville
Posts: 159
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Quote:
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?
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Long shot here but what about this???
https://www.harborfreight.com/ratche...bar-96811.html
__________________
Tim
2022 Keystone Cougar Half Ton 24RDS
Reese Goosebox 20K
2005 F250 6.0L 4x4 Diesel SRW
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11-14-2023, 03:34 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,314
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WNY Bullet
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Wow, these all look great. I forwarded them so he can pick his desired size and strength. Thanks!
__________________
2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
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11-14-2023, 03:40 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 591
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LHaven
Wow, these all look great. I forwarded them so he can pick his desired size and strength. Thanks!
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Glad to help, I hope they work out for him!
__________________
Mike & Barb
2015 Keystone Bullet Premier 26RBPR
2018 Cedar Creek 36CK2
2017 Chevy Silverado LT Z71
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11-14-2023, 05:00 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Richmond
Posts: 339
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Curious, is he sleeping on top of a bunch of lithium batteries?
__________________
Lee
2019 Keystone Passport GT Ultra Lite 2520RL, 7000lb GVW,
2015 F150 5.0, XLT/FX4, 3.55 Tow, 7000lb GVWR, 1829lb payload, 36 gal tank,
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11-14-2023, 05:11 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,314
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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.
__________________
2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
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11-14-2023, 05:27 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Richmond
Posts: 339
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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... :-)
__________________
Lee
2019 Keystone Passport GT Ultra Lite 2520RL, 7000lb GVW,
2015 F150 5.0, XLT/FX4, 3.55 Tow, 7000lb GVWR, 1829lb payload, 36 gal tank,
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11-14-2023, 05:57 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,314
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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.
__________________
2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
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