Squaredrop rear hatch gas struts

[RJB1969]

I’m having trouble getting the strut calculator to work. I’m unable to fill it out. Could anyone help with what I need. The hatch door is 49.75 from top to bottom. 49 from side to side. 2 inches thick and 52 lbs on a scale. Thank you so much.

 

[working on it]

I installed a single gas spring (12 years ago) on my 4x8 squareback trailer. I only needed one to lift the hatch up halfway, whereupon I could lift it up to the angle & height I needed, and attach two hatch props to complete the job.

I bought two 150lb springs, thinking if one wouldn't do the job, two certainly would, but one was sufficient (centrally mounted on a shelf, 22" high, and 5" in) in my storage area (aka galley).

I bought the 36", 150lbs each springs on ebay, but lost the vendor's address. There are some listed there at this time.

Here's my whole thread on my process heavy hatch door has worn me down!, but post #18 sums it up pretty well. Hope this helps.

 

[RJB1969]

Thank you

 

[kipa]

I'll just say that 150 lbs. is a LOT to deal with. The stress points on a single strut will need to be exceptionally strong and well braced. Use two. It will be much easier.

Anyway, here's the Gas Spring Shop's calculation. I ran it with 2" thickness as well as the 1" here. Results were the same:

 

[working on it]

I'll just say that 150 lbs. is a LOT to deal with. The stress points on a single strut will need to be exceptionally strong and well braced. Use two. It will be much easier.

In my case, I used the single 150 lbs gas spring because my intent was to raise the flat hatch half-way up, to a point where I could manually raise it to a higher point (the spring supplied most of the force needed).

At that point, I could easily insert wooden dowels tho firmly affix the hatch where I wanted it (two height options). It was never my intent to use the gas spring (or springs) to raise and hold the hatch wide open.

The mounting points' bases were both of 3/4" plywood, with steel pivots bolted thru them.