Raising the Roof: A Guide to Gas Strut Sizing in Pop-up Builds

[@GrantSR]

This was perfect! Exactly what i was hoping for. I'm glad you broke it down into discreet steps. 👍 As a former technical writer, I don't think i could have done it much better, without almost doubling the length of the video. And i would have never thought about using online calculators. I would have just tried to teach people enough trigonometry to get by for this set of calculations. So, if i had done this video everyone would have stopped watching by Step 2. 😬

[@WanderwithKate]

Thank you! And yes, the online calculators help to keep it a little more simple. I could have refreshed some of my math skills, but you're right, it would have made the video a lot longer and a little more complicated, haha.

[@jbess77]

This was actually really helpful and helped me make a decision on a project I am working on. Thanks for posting this!

[@GiorgioMartignoni]

I really enjoyed your explanations , really helpful. Most info online deals only with hinged doors

[@daleley7645]

Every video of yours provides a wealth of knowledge and information that will help a lot for building your own camper. I thinking about building a collapsible A frame for my truck, this helps, thanks.

[@WanderwithKate]

Thank you! I hope your build goes well. An A-frame would be a neat design.

[@toddshook1765]

Got a little bit lost in calculations but I think once get on website and put in factors will get more clear., Thanks for going over it. Most others don’t go into detail as you showed. Very helpful.

[@esayay]

I stumbled upon your channel last night…very interesting! As a fellow Minnesotan…and carpenter, I really appreciate seeing your simplified approach. I’ve been hung up on the idea of having to sew panels for the pop top, and the hard sides just make so much sense! I was camping in Canada a couple years ago (with just my pickup tent) and I was legit scared more than a few nights about the 🐻 I’m going to start building mine soon so I can venture out this summer!

[@WanderwithKate]

Good luck with your build! If you post any videos of yours, let me know. I'm always curious to see what/how others are building.

[@tuckerandi]

Great description from what one would need to how to get it, very thorough great job.

[@philrazzi7782]

I think you covered every angle.😊

[@WanderwithKate]

Haha, thanks!

[@MikeBabsBC]

I spent SSSSOOOOOOOOO much time anguishing over the gas springs. Funny enough, I eventually found a local shop that actually builds them, so they have been super helpful. I got 4x 40lb struts, however, I think I severely underestimated my roof weight as I need to really push the roof up now, especially since getting the solar panels on. So, I'm going to recalculate the roof weight and take the truck back to the shop. Thankfully, I paid a little more for struts that can be charged up to a higher pressure, so I think I'll have them bump them up to 80lbs in the rear (as that's where the solar panels are mounted) and 60lbs in the front. The front isn't hard to push up, but it's definitely not self-supporting. Had to laugh at the wobble when you lifted the full lifting roof. That happened to me but I didn't have anyone else there helping and broke 3 rod ends lol Then started my R&D on supporting hinges which haunted me for quite a while. Good times though!

[@WanderwithKate]

Having struts that can be charged to a higher pressure was a great choice! I didn't think about looking for something like that. And yes, the roof was pretty wobbly during early stages of the pop-up build. Finding a good way to stabilize and support the full pop-up is important and challenging. I was really thankful to not be working on that part alone!

[@MikeBabsBC]

​@@WanderwithKateok, so when looking at the side of your camper. Why did you choose a "V" strut configuration rather than a "A"?... If that makes sense.

[@Adv4x4]

Thanks so much for this video Kate! I’m in the process of my own build right now and this is exactly the video I was looking for to help explain the math behind strut choices. They are expensive so I want to get it right the first time! I’ll link your video in my description of my build video for other DIY people!

[@WanderwithKate]

I'm glad it was helpful. It took us a little while to figure out the struts for our build, and I didn't find any videos about struts for pop-up campers at that point. And thank you for sharing the link. I hope your build goes well! I'll have to check out your videos.

[@rickgreen9936]

mystery solved...thank you!

[@divineavengers]

great video, when are you going to attempt working on the full pop up again?

[@WanderwithKate]

Thank you! I'm hoping to get to it this summer, but it will depend on how long it takes us to finish up some of the other upgrades. Since the wedge is working pretty well, right now I am focusing on making the interior more comfortable, improving aerodynamics, creating an awning, etc.

[@michaelcaltabiano4587]

Hi Kate, great videos and information I’m a just a fireman and my math skills stop at friction loss formulas…… if I sent you the measurements with some adult spirits of your choice could you give me the information I need to order the proper struts? 😊

[@WanderwithKate]

Haha. I could probably help with that (even without adult spirits). What are your dimensions/measurements?

[@ehh300]

I really like this build and would love to do something similar for my Taco! I had a possible idea for controlling raising/lowering the full lift. On the interior, could a bungee be added to the front wall between the roof and the bed platform that lashes it down even after the tie downs are undone outside? That might allow the front to still act as a hinge and control the top as the rear/rear wall is raised 1st then unlashed to let up the front/front wall as the rear wall will be in place to control the movement (Sides up last). Anyhow looking forward to more updates!!

[@WanderwithKate]

Thank you for watching. That's an interesting concept. I think that could work if we change the full pop-up sides to be folded up individually. In the original build they were designed to lift with the roof, but I've seen several good builds where they fold up after the roof is lifted. Thank you for your thoughts/suggestion. It has been nice to brainstorm more ideas with others here on KZbin.

[@CityOverlanding-dz4hc]

My brain hurts!! 😂😂

[@WanderwithKate]

Haha, yep 😂. It's a lot of steps and calculations. Hopefully, it will help someone at some point (I didn't find any videos about pop-up roof struts when I was building last summer), but if anyone can simplify it further - they should!

[@GrantSR]

You are just lucky that I didn't make this video. I would have been trying to teach you freaking trigonometry. I think this was about a simple as it could have possibly been, considering the physics involved.

[@CityOverlanding-dz4hc]

@@WanderwithKate Nah, you nailed it! Doesn't get any simpler than how you've laid it out. Unless of course you just shell out the ca$h and buy a manufactured product. But where's the fun in that!! 🤣