homemade gasless gas struts

[Mary K]

Thanks. I need a 36" lift though. Do you know if they work upside down?

I don't have a clue... Sorry...anybody else???

I could attach two 18" struts together, doubling my lift.

You could indeed! I have seen it done on someone elses hatch. Check out jiminsavanna's I think he has doubble struts. I could be wrong though..

Mk

[Miriam C.]

Sushidog
You can put two lifts side by side. I don't think you can attach them end to end.

Trying to find some myself. Have you seen the information here:

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=11210

Good luck.

[madjack]

sushiD...checkout the link MK sent you...you will find what you want...and yes you can(upside down that is)......

[sushidog]

Thanks everyone!

[mallymal]

Maybe a cheap source of metal rod for gasless struts.... and because it's extendable, you know it's going to be two poles which slide inside each other...

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50079374

[Leon]

Not sure if a curtain rod will be strong enough to hold up a hatch, especially if the wind kicks up.

[2bits]

Thanks for the cool idea Madjack!!!

[bravebluemice]

Sweet idea, Jack! You know those little spring loaded buttons like in patio umbrellas would be far more convenient than the R pins. Self contained. Won't get lost. That's the direction I'll go with mine.

Cheers,
BBM

[BillZ]

Maybe a cheap source of metal rod for gasless struts.... and because it's extendable, you know it's going to be two poles which slide inside each other...

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50079374

Why didn't I think of that!


I have Ikea curtain rods on my windows. I think they would be an excellent choice for gasless gas struts. The rods are very sturdy, more than you would expect from a curtain rod. I doubt they would have any trouble holding up the weight of most hatches. They also have a nice powdercoat-like finish.

[Chef_Stan]

You could also use a beat up expandable fly pole. Most campers probably have one of those hanging around, and plenty strong.

[seattlejack]

I used the telescoping legs from a camera tri-pod. GoodWill about $5 for three legs. They worked ok, but I had to have both locked to hold the hatch weight. Swivel brackets on the top/hatch, rubber feet for the bottom [came with the tri-pod], and velcro holdup straps.
I could hold up the hatch with one hand, unzip the velcro, drop and expand the legs,gravity, with the other.

[MontanaTeardrops]

Looks like some pretty ingenious inventors and craftsman on here. I think I'll try to find some affordable gas struts, but so far I haven't found any. Those links didn't seem to take me to them. Anyone know of any other sources? I thought about going to a wrecking yard and getting a couple off a hatchback car.

[KennethW]

Has anyone (besides me) stored your struts across the inside of the hatch? I hinged tubing on the top inside the hatch. So that when stored they go across the inside of the hatch. Over 46" length to work with. To open the hatch you lift the hatch. pull down the tubing and fit the drilled end of the over a pin on the side wall. Really easy to set up.

[Tomterrific]

I stressed over how I would make my hatch struts. In the end I used a damaged leg from an EZ-UP canopy. Now I need another but it should not be difficult as I've seen several in the trash at camps. In my case, I merely sawed off the top to size, drilled a hole to screw into the hatch and screwed the foot of the prop to the floor. I lift the hatch up and the prop/leg extends, then the spring loaded button clicks holding it securely. Easy peazy!

TomT