Longer bed storage struts?

[Avidcamper]

Has anyone tried longer struts on the under bed storage. It just does not open up high enough for me. I will be looking at going with heavier ones as the topper on the mattress requires and higher capacity strut. Just throwing this out there before I jump into this mod.

 

[Long Islander]

We had the same problem after we switched to Casper Mattress so I replaced the struts with the ones below from Amazon. They have different sizes, I used the 20 inch- 80 lb struts. I also replaced the original plywood that was under the end of the mattress (that folds up and covers the storage area) with one that better fits the mattress. Our original plywood base was too short, which made it impossible to keep the covers tucked in. I also trimmed the plywood edges with 3/4" wood. That made the plywood stiffer, easy to grab and less painful when I bumped into it.

https://www.amazon.com/Basement-Supports-71794-C16-08053-C1608053/dp/B099JMDJL5/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=486X8GRCOJXN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kIP62cq5lB-QySNzeJmTTTO917PBg1ekYzqvYBfohSPgMA-R34ao-p2R0WQc5Dyp4guLOzC9AA-9ttKgCdbS9-stXd9uFfcwP7Zjwdfbb2D7PyhlDbbG571Yh6OqCAbvzX6_ZWVI2aWcZ2x69byP_wubvVxIANGaG7nFd2Ce9M2MbQZqipbSE8dSsejjTdb-cLESJfY4nHgljuUezDISweTFRYJX0xIppa_P26Ox93ruMPqd1w0cHdZlDn2hvjqsKKtLq2vGPnWfV94ShK21ZXr-tpBcZrs8r2yCeOre2x8.jP4NT92nBZgzaXJikYXYQ9Lmq-LOLBjqJvtVuctp7OE&dib_tag=se&keywords=2)%2B20%2BInch%2B80%2Blbs%2BGas%2BProp%2BLift%2BSprings%2BRod%2BStruts%2BHeavy%2BDuty%2BTool%2BBox%2BLid%2BTop%2BRV%2BPair&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1786202529&s=automotive&sprefix=2%2B20%2Binch%2B80%2Blbs%2Bgas%2Bprop%2Blift%2Bsprings%2Brod%2Bstruts%2Bheavy%2Bduty%2Btool%2Bbox%2Blid%2Btop%2Brv%2Bpair%2Cautomotive%2C106&sr=1-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

 

[RoadJunkie]

Be aware that the mounting of the struts are designed for the factory-delivered struts. If you increase the struts to accommodate a heaver load, you will likely tear out the mounts or hinges from the plywood. I have seen this happen...with a friend.

 

[Avidcamper]

I will re-enforce the mounts as needed. Thanks roadjunkie.

 

[Long Islander]

I've done this same mod to all three of my tailers and never had an issue. It was either increase the strut lifting capacity of not use the storage underneath the bed. RoadJunkie has a point though, as I did beef up the plywood with a piece of 3/4" wood as you can see in the picture below.
You will also need to read the specs on whatever struts you buy because you may need to move where they attach to the plywood or base.

 

[SKYSKIOC]

yep, I learned this the hard way went with stronger lifting struts because we changed the mattress on the bed to a larger thicker mattress and when it is in the up position it is fine. but when you put it down to put a lot of stress and pressure on those screws on the mounts of the side of the bed inside and boom it pulled every screw out. haven't had a chance to fix it yet, but definitely going to have to reinforce this someway somehow. this is on a 2024 Avenue 32 RLS

 

[KCAlis]

Same story with new mattress. Wouldn’t stay up and hardly any lift making it difficult to work in the storage space. Just used the same struts but moved the bottom pivot points towards the foot of the bed 4 1/4”. Alliance is installing them too flat and not using them effectively.

Did not have to reinforce anything.

 

[Avidcamper]

BTW what is the stock pressure rating of the struts?

 

[RoadJunkie]

BTW what is the stock pressure rating of the struts?

What rig? Model, year, king, queen, etc...

 

[Avidcamper]

2026 Paradigm 310rl with king bed.

 

[Chaseweston]

Same story with new mattress. Wouldn’t stay up and hardly any lift making it difficult to work in the storage space. Just used the same struts but moved the bottom pivot points towards the foot of the bed 4 1/4”. Alliance is installing them too flat and not using them effectively.

Did not have to reinforce anything.

This. You don't need new struts to adjust their performance. Don't waste the money. It's a force vector. Change the angle, change the force.

 

[Avidcamper]

This. You don't need new struts to adjust their performance. Don't waste the money. It's a force vector. Change the angle, change the force.

Yes, but wont that decrease the amount it opens? that's my biggest issue is I have to kneel down to see what's in there. Other campers I have had opened up farther.

 

[KCAlis]

I think we have confusion introduced because of the mounting configuration. Our 25 310RL has the air spring in the opposite direction from Chaseweston’s diagram.

See my crude markup of how our lift is installed. Moving the platform attachments towards the hinge (or box attachments towards the foot) results in more force and a higher lift. Win, win. You can even move the platform attachments as a unit by moving the mounting 2x3 with both attached.

Again, no reinforcement needed.

 

[RockDr896]

This is totally meant for humor and the lazy man approach. I was knee deep in the main flooring job, so I took the short cut. I had to store the kitchen Island in the bedroom...the 2x4 is now part of storage (I keep large cast iron and everything big a camp cook needs) under my bed. You can even see one of my deep fry pots. Maybe some day, I will fix that issue, but here is a short cut for now...LOL!! Who knows...maybe I will catch a cookware thief in my modified Mouse trap, made for humans!!