Strut Placement Under Bed Wrong?

[PastorHerb]

So I spent a few hours installing gas struts to lift the bed in our 17' Springdale. Tried just one in the center initially, but it wasn't strong enough so I added the second on a side. It easily keeps the bed board raised, but when the mattress, etc is put back on, it closes. Maybe it helps a bit in lifting, but I'd like the bed to stay open until I close it. How should I re-position the struts to keep the bed lifted until I push it down?
The struts are 15", 67 lbs each.
See photo...

[jsb5717]

I don't think it's positioning. They just are likely a little underrated for the task given the amount of leverage at the full length of the bed. You might either find beefier struts or add a 3rd strut to your current setup.


Also, welcome to the group!

[sourdough]

I suspect your positioning and piston sizing is incorrect. Referencing from the hinge point on my bed platform the struts are attached at the bottom about 3' in front of the hinge point and the top is probably a little less than 4'. Where yours are you are trying to support the entire thing at the back pivot point which will require a lot.

Upon looking at the pic again, exactly how much bed platform are you trying to lift? Looking at the box under the platform it looks like you may be trying to lift a couple of feet at most? Not clear.

Mine are 80lb. struts approx. 20" or so long extended made by Industrial Springs? one each on each side with supports built to withstand the weight...and an aftermarket 15" mattress on top. Works great.

[PastorHerb]

Yes; just lifting the “box lid”, which is about half way under the bed... not the full length of the bed.

[flybouy]

Danny is point on. To understand the force of leverage pop the hood on your truck to just clear the latch. Now go to the hinge below the windshield and try opening the hood. It's a lot easier to lift the hood from the full extent of the hood as apposed to near the hinge point.

[JRTJH]

On my bed platform, the gas struts are mounted to the vertical upright further from the hinge (barely seen in the photo you posted). They lift from that point, not from the hinge point. I've got no problems with my bed platform either in rising or in staying up until I push it down...

I'd suggest not increasing the size (weight rating) of the gas pistons. If you do, you may find that you'll either "push the small 1" upright "whitewood strut" and break it or bend the 1/2" OSB bed platform at the upper end of the gas strut. The OSB attachment point to the gas strut is not reinforced and you'll likely break or crack the OSB with "heavy duty gas struts"....

[PastorHerb]

So your bottom point is fixed further away from the hinge than mine... is the upper attachment on the OSB further toward the foot also?

[flybouy]

I'd suggest giving the calculator like this a try.
https://www.acecontrols.com/us/calcu...AaAo6oEALw_wcB

[sourdough]

Here's a pic of one of my struts. There's another just like it on the other side. Disregard the plethora of "stuff" under the bed. Whoops! It turned upside down. Just imagine it right side up but you get the picture...

[PastorHerb]

So your bottom contact point is about 12" out from the hinge?

[jsb5717]

I believe the offset distance is also in relation to the length and throw of the strut. Different sizes will have different offsets.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by PastorHerb

So your bottom contact point is about 12" out from the hinge?

My bottom contact point is 17" in front of the rear hinge. The storage area under the bed is 45" deep. The size of platform (depth) will determine where the struts go and how strong they should be.

[PastorHerb]

well, since mine are 1" or less from the hinge... I may have better success moving them out. The plywood 'door' that swings down is 34", and overhangs at the foot a bit... so I may try moving outward about 10" or so.

[JRTJH]

I'd move them out to the next vertical spar. If you try to attach the base of the gas piston along the top rail of the bed base, it's likely going to split from the forces as you raise/lower the platform. I'd try to keep close to the same angle of the struts, move them to the next vertical and reposition the top strut attachment to the mattress platform further out... If you measure from the current attachment to the next vertical, if that distance is 13", then move the top 13" as well. If that distance is 19", then move the top attachment 19" also.

[PastorHerb]

SUCCESS!

Thanks, guys! Moving the bottom contact point made the difference... and, of course, the middle strut was relocated to an outer edge.
Now, a gentle lift brings the bed up, and it stays.
A gentle push downward takes it down and it stays down.
My wife tried it and likes it. Need I say more?

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by PastorHerb

SUCCESS!

Thanks, guys! Moving the bottom contact point made the difference... and, of course, the middle strut was relocated to an outer edge.
Now, a gentle lift brings the bed up, and it stays.
A gentle push downward takes it down and it stays down.
My wife tried it and likes it. Need I say more?

Glad to hear it! And, most importantly...the wife likes it!

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by PastorHerb

SUCCESS!

Thanks, guys! Moving the bottom contact point made the difference... and, of course, the middle strut was relocated to an outer edge.
Now, a gentle lift brings the bed up, and it stays.
A gentle push downward takes it down and it stays down.
My wife tried it and likes it. Need I say more?

Excellent! Glad it worked, DW is happy and you won't have to fight it any longer!

[Jerry S]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Here's a pic of one of my struts. There's another just like it on the other side. Disregard the plethora of "stuff" under the bed. Whoops! It turned upside down. Just imagine it right side up but you get the picture...

Your struts barrels are correct the barrel of the strut needs to be up. The barrels in the OPs pictures are upside down The sliding rod needs to be down. I know that seems backwards but it is not.

[kaydo36]

They look a little small. Probably underrated. Mine are 90 lbs rated with one on each side and they still sag about halfway back down with bed and comforter on. I installed a doorstop that I flip up to prop it open. Just takes a nudge lift and the doorstop drops back down to close.

[kaju65]

Congrats! Could you post a pic of the new placement for reference?