Is there a way to determine what size bed struts?

[MarkEHansen]

We have a Keystone Cougar 2019 26RBSWE with a king-size bed (RV Short King) with the lift-up cargo space under the mattress.

We're getting ready to install an upgraded mattress and would like to replace the gas struts which hold the cargo top up/open. The problem is I don't know which weight (or however they are measured) to get.

I would really like the cargo area to remain up/open without having to manually hold it (or use a brace/stick )

Is there a way I can determine what is needed by determining how heavy the lifting board is?

Any other advice?

[markcee]

Originally Posted by MarkEHansen

We have a Keystone Cougar 2019 26RBSWE with a king-size bed (RV Short King) with the lift-up cargo space under the mattress.

We're getting ready to install an upgraded mattress and would like to replace the gas struts which hold the cargo top up/open. The problem is I don't know which weight (or however they are measured) to get.

I would really like the cargo area to remain up/open without having to manually hold it (or use a brace/stick )

Is there a way I can determine what is needed by determining how heavy the lifting board is?

Any other advice?

We added a pretty heavy mattress topper to our 2020 29RLKWE RV King and had to swap out the struts for beefier ones. I can't recall if/how I determined the weight rating on the originals, but purchased these 220 lb rated models and they work well.

[sourdough]

I personally don't know of an easy way. I just put the new mattress on, guesstimate how much heavier it is along with gauging the lack of "push" from the existing struts, pull one to get the OE weight then order a set with my new "guesstimation" of how many lbs. I need. I will say that I was wrong this last go round so now have a nice set of new struts that weren't as strong as I wanted under the bed.

I removed the king bed that came in this one and had it cut down to a res queen. I added a heavy res queen mattress . Here is a link to the struts I ordered for it;

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/RV-De...-p/20-1188.htm

[wiredgeorge]

We put a full size residential queen 14" pillow top on our frame (came with trailer queen) and can't begin to lift so can't help. It is a HEAVY mattress.

[markcee]

Originally Posted by sourdough

I personally don't know of an easy way. I just put the new mattress on, guesstimate how much heavier it is along with gauging the lack of "push" from the existing struts, pull one to get the OE weight then order a set with my new "guesstimation" of how many lbs. I need. I will say that I was wrong this last go round so now have a nice set of new struts that weren't as strong as I wanted under the bed.

I removed the king bed that came in this one and had it cut down to a res queen. I added a heavy res queen mattress . Here is a link to the struts I ordered for it;

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/RV-De...-p/20-1188.htm

I think Danny's method is much easier than this one!

[MarkEHansen]

Cool, Math! I did find this site: https://www.gasspringsshop.com/gas-s...YaAvy0EALw_wcB

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by markcee

I think Danny's method is much easier than this one!

Yep! I think I like my way a lot better! Not as scientific or time consuming but it gets you there. My thought on this formula and that calculator are what they mean by "support" the mattress? To me there's a lot of difference between having to pull that mattress up and then the strut barely holds it vs the strut pushing the mattress up then firmly holding it in the elevated position. DW won't even think about messing with one you have to fight to pull up then when it's up it barely holds feeling like it may drop at any moment. That was exactly the case when I ended up with that spare set of struts I mentioned. Now it takes more effort to get the struts to start to compress than it does to pop the mattress up.

[MarkEHansen]

My concern is getting a set that are too strong and lift the mattress when it is intended to lay flat.

[markcee]

Originally Posted by MarkEHansen

My concern is getting a set that are too strong and lift the mattress when it is intended to lay flat.

Yeah...for sure a fine line between too little and too much. At least if ordering thru Amazon you can install, and if not up to snuff, return at no cost and keep tweaking 'til you get it just right.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by MarkEHansen

My concern is getting a set that are too strong and lift the mattress when it is intended to lay flat.

If you use Amazon as Mark suggested you won't be out anything if you have to return a set that isn't correct. On ours I believe I initially went 20lbs. per strut over OE. The OE set would not hold up the new mattress. The first set I got lifted the mattress if you pulled it pretty hard to get it going then it barely held it up feeling like it wanted to come down with the slightest wiggle. The last set I believe I went up 20lbs. per strut again and it stays down just fine, no issue of any kind, but it will come up easily when you pull on it then stays firmly in place when up. To close you have to put a little effort into getting it on the downward path but then closes, and stays closed, just fine. You can get exactly what you need it just might take a couple of attempts which is no big deal since they are easy to swap out.

[MarkEHansen]

Got it. Thanks all!