Hydraulic / Gas Spring bed lifts

[PwrWgnWalt]

I assume most of our old MH's originally came with convertible sitting/sleeping areas, not permanent beds.  The PO had made the rear area in mine a permanent bed (sorta), but the water pump, electrical centers and such are under there, with no easy way to get at them.

As I redo the back area, am considering adding gas spring (or hydraulic) lifts so the bed area can be raised to service or check the under-bed areas.

Has anyone added these lifts, or have suggestions on doing so?

[Stripe]

If you're talking about the gas charged struts used by cars for things such as trunks and hoods, yes.  That would be a great idea to use them to support the bed while accessing the area under the bed. 

Here is how I would approach this:

   
• Go to the nearest Wrecking yard and see if you can find the struts there. Look for the more heavier duty ones. This way you know it should be able to hold the bed board up.  Also, make sure you take the ball joint or capstan that they clip to so that you have that to mount the struts too.
• Barring the ability to get them from a wrecking yard, you can also buy the struts in kits that come with the mounting hardware as well such as this example in the link here:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-HOOD-GAS-STRUT-SHOCK-ABSORBER-BLACK-DAMPER-KIT-1992-1995-HONDA-CIVIC-EG-/310899927046

[legomybago]

My Beaver coach had that. The rear queen bed lifted, and underneath was the water tank and system...just make sure the bed never falls back down on your head!!! It hurts!! I had a prop stick handy W%

[PwrWgnWalt]

Hi Stripe!
Yes, that's what I am talking about. The RV parts book I got from a local dealer has a whole bunch of these, and the mounts, listed.  That's where I got name "gas spring", as they are listed under that name. They categorize them by the amount of weight they can lift/hold, and by length, so figured if I went this route I could get a measure of the weight of the platform and mattress, then get a couple or three, or whatever to hold up the heavy queen mattress.
Here's an example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SET-26-3-100lb-Nitro-Prop-Gas-Strut-Spring-Lift-Shock-Tube-Shaft-Rod-Arm-26-/390804909220?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item5afdc9aca4

Don't know if they are as much of a benefit as the 'ad' makes them out to be, though, so was hoping for some feedback.

Right Lego! 
I was definitely planning to have a 'backup' prop stick to ensure the thing wouldn't come crashing down on my head... that would make for a bad, bad day...    
How did you like that feature on your Beaver?  Did it work well?
Did it have one strut, or two?
How high did it lift?

Thanks for helping!

[legomybago]

2 struts, they were original I imagine (hence prop stick), I couldn't tell you the lengths?

I think its a smart design/idea..I had to do some water valve work under mine. Yes I did hit my head! It's better than yarding out the mattress everytime you need to access!! I had a fancy pillow top mattress, and it didn't really like being propped/pinched up to the head board though when lifted..