Gas Piston RV Bed Lift Strut Install - RV Upgrades

[@davidrouthier1231]

An older video, but today it helped me immensely! The bracket to one our gas struts (RV bed platform) was bent, and the screws were pulling through the wood sidewall of the bed platform. I didn’t know how to remove the strut, to fix the bracket, but this video showed me how easy it was to remove the retaining clip. Patched the hole in the wood, straightened the bracket, reinstalled with fender washers to spread the load, and remounted the struts. Thank you Norm!

[@MountainBeaches]

Glad I could be of help. Thanks for the comment.

[@mavrick0pm]

Great video. Only issue is you put the struts upside down. There is a little bit of oil in the struts to keep the seals lubricated. With them being upside down they will dry out and loose the gas that's in them prematurely. Also when you install them you don't need to pry on the locking tab. Just snap them onto the ball.

[@MountainBeaches]

Dang, I went back and looked and you are absolutely right. Looks like I'll be switching around soon. Thanks for noticing. Also good tip on snapping the new ones on.

[@shirleybrooks8287]

First thing I noticed

[@EarlBalentine]

I'm confuse, shouldn't the large part of the strut be down the skinny part be up? I would think the fat part would be down so the fluid doesn't run out?

[@mavrick0pm]

@@EarlBalentine you need the fluid to keep the seals lubricated, otherwise the seals dry out and let the gas escape.

[@dhard03]

Great presentation, just what I am about to do with my queen size residential matters. Using the original lift was more than cumbersome. The past 6 months utilizing the original lift made this storage frustrating. Your presentation and lovely wife made this a treat. Happy camping.

[@MountainBeaches]

Thanks Dan.

[@marksmith203]

We have a 2017 GD 303rls and also replaced the original mattress with a residential i-Serta mattress about 2 years ago. I found that over a short period of time the underside of the mattress was starting to wear where the deck lid hinges are located. To remedy this situation I took heavy duty plastic file folders, opened them flat, and laid them over top of the hinges taking care to line-up the fold with the lid hinge. I fastened the upper end only using 1/2" screws and cup washers. With the bottom loose it is able to slide as the lid goes up and down.

[@MountainBeaches]

Thanks for that great tip!

[@timsimpkins3284]

Great to watch and hope it lasts! I found that most of the wood screws had wallowed out the holes and fell out, leaving the struts hanging. I replaced and installed heavier wood, drilled through and reattached with bolts and washers/ locknuts! I’ve added a heavy mattress now and will add new struts to existing hangers!

[@MountainBeaches]

Hmm, interesting. No problems at all with ours. Hope it stays that way. Thanks for sharing.

[@Cybergrip1]

Thanks, I have a similar project and rather than spend $359.00 I spent $52.00. Quite a savings. I built my own bed and needed to find parts...you provided that. Thanks again. I will keep an eye on the orientation (grin).

[@MountainBeaches]

Yes the orientation was wrong. Someone pointed that out some time ago. My bad 😂. Thanks!

[@josephhorner3249]

Hi Norm thanks for heads up on upgrading the gas struts under the bed. We ordered it thru your link and installed today! They are strong and my wife couldn’t push the one side down! Works great thanks again!

[@MountainBeaches]

Awesome, thank you!

[@amariejackson08]

thanks for this, we ordered the wrong ones and it was a strugglebus now we are on the right track

[@MountainBeaches]

Good to know. Thanks for the comment.

[@pattiedooley9667]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for making this video and explaining and showing everything so well . You took a lot of anxiety away from me!!!

[@MountainBeaches]

Awe, thank you.

[@LifeonOURtime]

Great DIY Norm. I wouldn’t have even thought a residential would overpower the pistons.

[@MountainBeaches]

It really was as hard to lift as I was showing in the video! No acting at all in that scene. Also the replacement was really easy too.

[@EarlBalentine]

How does one tell what size/weight struts do you need? I'm thinking of placing a bathroom scale on edge of the bed frame at the foot with a stick between the scale and bed platform, maybe I can get a weight for the size struts that way?

[@MountainBeaches]

Hmm, that might work. I just guessed to be honest.

[@catitudelatitudes2083]

About to encounter the same issue changing out our Beauty-rest Black into our new 5ver! Timely video and link to struts. I’m sure my talented hubby will be able to do the same for us so we can keep on rolling in comfort!!! Nice short video and have fun this year with the new 5ver! We were close to going with Grand Design,, but opted for a Jayco so we’ll see how we fare full timing in the NorthPoint! Happy trails/!

[@MountainBeaches]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. We almost bought a Jayco 2 years ago. Long story. Yes, I'm sure your husband can perform this mod since it's a lot easier than many people think. I'm sure you will LOVE your Jayco.

[@mrg5517]

Which new mattress did you choose and why did you choose it? Looks nice, supportive and plush!

[@MountainBeaches]

We bought a Serta iComfort Hybrid. We have had a similar bed at home for years and love it.

[@migmigjohnson6083]

The link you shared is for a 150 LB strut set. That's a 300 lb combined resistance. Are you planning on raising this with a whale on it?

[@MountainBeaches]

Haha, our mattress is about as heavy as a whale and it’s just right for our situation.

[@ittybitty304]

Thank you foe showing this! Just like you I can no longer lift my bed so I will be replacing the struts...great video!

[@MountainBeaches]

Makes a HUGE difference. Please note, that in the video, I installed them backwards. Luckily they were easy to switch.

[@katherineb.3140]

Thank you for sharing this!! I learned something new! I hope you are enjoying your travels! Kim...you look just fine without makeup! You and Norm are a delight to follow! 😀

[@MountainBeaches]

Thanks Katherine, I agree she always looks great!

[@dru-annehartley279]

Thank you so much for the info Ours camper came with out a bed lift. Gonna try these now ❤👍👍

[@MountainBeaches]

Very easy to do too. You'll love it!

[@joefaison2294]

You can try "Hatchlift" Brand Lift Kits.

[@TayTaySongs]

Awesome video! Can you tell me what those silver brackets are and where you got them? I don’t have any struts on my bed so it’s not a “replacement” where it’s more of a new install.

[@MountainBeaches]

Our bed already had struts so those came with the RV. You might search for strut brackets and see what comes up.

[@rvmehappy8575]

Good Information. This was already on my short list of things to do before the start of camping season. Well Done !

[@MountainBeaches]

Thank you. It really is as easy as it looks.

[@LifeisBetterExploring]

Great video. We have something very similar to this set up on our trailer too. Works great and makes life so much easier. Thanks for sharing!

[@MountainBeaches]

Thank you for watching and following us 💙

[@nealbroadhead9286]

I was wondering what your strut length was? Thanks

[@MountainBeaches]

19.7". Here's a link to what I used -> www.amazon.com/dp/B00BE5J542?tag=onamzmounta08-20&linkCode=ic5&ascsubtag=amzn1.infl.us.product&creativeASIN=B00BE5J542&ref=exp_mountainbeaches_dp_vv_d

[@17eoemt]

Thanks for this video. We have the same trailer but it's a 2018. We also replaced the mattress. I'm ordering new struts now! Just subscribed to your channel also through watching the RV Odd Couple. I love youtube! Thanks again!

[@MountainBeaches]

Thanks so much. We love our 303 (and John and Mercedes) 💙

[@luismaestre8652]

We've just bought the same gas air struts and installed in our camper, however, we can't get them to move either way. They're stuck in the up position and won't budge. Do you know what the issue is? Thanks

[@MountainBeaches]

How heavy is your mattress? One mistake that I made in the video, and I mention it in the description, is that I installed mine upside down. Our mattress is pretty heavy so it stays down. If the mattress isn't on the plywood foundation it probably would stay up in the air too.

[@luismaestre8652]

@@MountainBeaches Mattress is heavy...the issue is that they're stuck , they won't close

[@MountainBeaches]

@@luismaestre8652 hmm, sorry I don't have any ideas

[@toddmcmahon2915]

Hello I have a similar bed set up in a school bus conversion into a tiny home. A full size bed with a 75” wide orientation x 54”. I want to mount struts to the frame and just by looking at your set up it looks like it will work great. My question is what is the distance of the mount on the frame of the bed from the back of the wall? 5-6”? The rating is for 150# for both struts. I think I have a couple of struts that are rated less as my bed is not as robust as yours. 😂. Let me know the measurements of you can thanks.

[@MountainBeaches]

The strut is actually mounted about 38" from the wall. The plywood base is cut in two and the strut is mounted about 6" from that cut. Hope that helps.

[@rhondamoore4466]

Great job! I'm hoping we won't need to do that with our new RV. We don't have it yet. You are so talented, I hope we can keep up with you guys! Always enjoy your experiences!!

[@MountainBeaches]

The mattresses on most new RV's are junk. Sorry to say but it's true.

[@DreamingOutloudRVing]

Great video! That is a project I have been putting off! Safe travels..

[@MountainBeaches]

I did too but it really only took me about 15 minutes once I got the bed off haha

[@robrob31295]

OMGOSH THAT WAS AMAZING!!! 🤗💓

[@MountainBeaches]

I'm blushing. Thanks!

[@FREEDOMREDBIRD]

Great video we need to change ours too

[@MountainBeaches]

Pretty easy to do. We have a link on our amazon page (you can find it on our KZbin home page) to the pistons.

[@dianeozuna584]

Thank you for sharing. It was so helpful.

[@MountainBeaches]

My pleasure.

[@archs.jefferyccim5562]

Looks like the first one in upside down?

[@MountainBeaches]

Yes, you are correct. I mentioned that in my comment at the top. It was a mistake that I'm blaming on stage fright haha. Unfortunately YT doesn't allow me to go in and edit the video to clarify that mistake. Thanks for bringing that up though.

[@barrytalbot2216]

Wow, very helpful. Thanks

[@MountainBeaches]

You're welcome!

[@leeb834]

Nice job. And, great video.

[@MountainBeaches]

Thank you Lee!

[@bruceromero1334]

Good video, basic install but I like the info and the way you presented. BTW, the Gas Struts are pneumatic (hence "gas" struts) not hydraulic (oil). Cheers!

[@MountainBeaches]

Thanks for the info! I also realized I installed them upside down. Thanks again.

[@joefaison2294]

Great Video.

[@MountainBeaches]

Hey thanks!

[@hardtruth2039]

Great video! We had to do the same thing in our 2019 GD Reflection 28bh.

[@MountainBeaches]

Thank you. Pretty easy to do and the results are great.

[@8machines62]

We need new ones on ours too. Thank you.

[@MountainBeaches]

Do it 😀

[@BeastMoo]

About how much does your bed weigh? I’m thinking of doing this and I think my bed weighs about 200lbs. The ones included already said they were rated for 80kg (although I’m not sure if it’s 80kg each or combined) but won’t stay open.

[@MountainBeaches]

To be honest I'm really not sure but I'm thinking probably somewhere in that same neighborhood. It's pretty heavy. Our's won't stay open even with the new struts but before I changed the struts my wife could not even open it.

[@BeastMoo]

Mountain Beaches darn. Thanks for your reply! I bought a platform bed that’s supposed to lift. I’m wondering if I can reinforce the struts that are already included with it because I would like for it to stay up while I’m putting stuff away. I also have little kitties so I’m scared they’ll get curious as it’s coming down. Any idea of any attachments that are kind of square that I can kind of just attach to those square metal rails that come with platform beds?

[@MountainBeaches]

@@BeastMoo sorry but I don't.

[@bptraveler6608]

Those are rated 150lbs each which seems like a lot so do they open by them selves after you've been on the road?

[@MountainBeaches]

I had that same concern when I first installed them, but no it has never opened by itself. The new bed is pretty heavy though.

[@bptraveler6608]

Good to Know. Thanks.

[@MountainBeaches]

@@bptraveler6608 you're welcome.

[@rohlandfreshour7546]

Why did you turn the struts over?? The rod was at the bottom and he put the rod at top??

[@MountainBeaches]

It was a mistake, that I didn't catch until after the video was released.

[@n1uno1965]

Great job 👍🏻

[@MountainBeaches]

Thank you! 😀

[@luismaestre8652]

Thanks for showing...

[@MountainBeaches]

My pleasure

[@timcent7199]

Your bed base is solid ply. When you lay on the mattress there is no place for air to travel so it's trapped. Moisture gets trapped as well and gets stale. Solution : Drill a series of holes into the base to allow air to be pressed out of the mattress. It will stay fresher for longer.

[@MountainBeaches]

Thanks for the great tip!

[@luismaestre8652]

Where can I buy those and what's the product number

[@MountainBeaches]

Here you go: amzn.to/2urCPaU

[@luismaestre8652]

@@MountainBeaches thank you..

[@svhub]

Great Video! I need to do this on my 2930RL. Couple things......when I called tech service at Grand Design he said I might have to reinforce the wood to mount the heavier struts so not to put stress on the box or platform, I see you just simply replaced...How is that holding up for you? Second question....How did you know which struts to buy? My mattress is 100lbs and you said you thought yours were over kill.....so last question. Do you think you could have gotten away with 100lb struts? Sorry for the barrage of questions.....Thanks in advance!

[@MountainBeaches]

It’s holding up great. No problems at all. As far as deciding what struts, it was very very scientific involving all sorts of calculus. Ok, actually I just guessed. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@shirleybrooks8287]

Your struts are on upside down. They will wear out faster that way

[@MountainBeaches]

Thanks. I found that out a while ago. I guess I was nervous infant of the camera. Thanks again!

[@MountainBeaches]

If you've replaced your RV bed or are considering it, you need to watch this! UPDATE: I inadvertently installed these struts upside down by mistake. Don't make the same mistake I did or you'll want to quickly reverse them. :)

[@MountainBeaches]

🛏💙

[@brianwilkinson2120]

Very helpful video! I'm actually glad you made that mistake, as I likely would've done the same (and wouldn't have known I made a mistake).

[@LivingTheGoodLifeRving]

👍😁😊

[@MountainBeaches]

Once again, thanks so much!

[@bikemyride]

Too bad half your up close camera shots are out of frame

[@MountainBeaches]

Yea, I wasn't the best at self camera work back then. We've improved A LOT since then though 😁

[@bikemyride]

It looks like you installed the gas strut in the opposite direction it was originally on, why was that? Thought the gas/spring area should be at the top

[@MountainBeaches]

@@bikemyride good observation. I accidentally installed it upside down.

[@staceytroffer8287]

“ou can see how easy that is” NO I COULDNT! You sped up the film 10X!AND THE END CLIP info was out of frame! What a waste of time.

[@MountainBeaches]

I'm sorry this video didn't meet your expectations. We try really hard and put a ton of work into producing these videos so to hear that you thought it was a waste of time is sad. While I did speed up the part of removing the strut, I did so because I value your time but then I gave a close up view showing the simple clip to pop out. It's very easy. The image started out of frame but i quickly got it back in frame so you could see. I just went back and watched. Everything you needed to see was there. Sorry if it didn't work for you. Have a great day.

[@staceytroffer8287]

@@MountainBeaches that’s the part I needed to see. How to take it off. Then the other part I needed to see, how the end pieces work was out of frame. PLEASE rewatch your videos before submitting them. It’s imperative an instructional video BE instructional, both verbally and visually. Years ago in school, we were given a writing assignment on how to tie ones shoe. This had to be down to the very limited “using your first finger and thumb, grasp the string.....”. This is how your videos should be because mechanics and trained RV repairmen are not referring to KZbin. The people, like me, that do come here for information and instruction are the green-horn types and we need specifics. With out that....... it’s not worth watching.

[@MountainBeaches]

@@staceytroffer8287 I do watch my video's many times prior to submitting but thanks anyway for the advice. I also watched it AGAIN prior to responding to you the first time. Still not sure what the issue is. Maybe if you looked at a strut you would understand that they are about as simple as can be. I guess it's true you can't please everyone but we try. The part you need to see is where I do the close up and show you the clip and where to put the flat head screwdriver to pop the clip open.