LIFT STRUTS

G

gene

New member
Sep 29, 1999
2,215
0
0
Lots of people have and some have been successful. A lot of the installs
have broken the doors... I guess there needs to be reinforcement and care
in the install.

gene

>Has anyone installed gas-charged lift struts on the Onan and LP doors?
>Jerry Cad. Powered Edgemonte (CADDYSHACK)
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
 
I've had struts on both my doors for about 5 years now with no problems.

Paul Bartz

From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of gene
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2000 11:27 PM

Lots of people have and some have been successful. A lot of the installs
have broken the doors... I guess there needs to be reinforcement and care
in the install.

>Has anyone installed gas-charged lift struts on the Onan and LP doors?
>Jerry Cad. Powered Edgemonte (CADDYSHACK)
 
> Has anyone installed gas-charged lift struts on the Onan and LP
> doors?
> Jerry Cad. Powered Edgemonte (CADDYSHACK)
I have and I like them but be careful to not overpower the struts as you
will fracture the fibreglas in the mounting area on the door.

The struts keep the door up and out of the way.

I had them installed by Clasco many years ago so don't ask me sizes or
anything.

David Lee Greenberg
GMC Motorhome Registry
Dedicated to the preservation of the Classic GMC
http://www.gmcss.com/registry.htm

http://www.Buskirk-RushRV.com/gmc-registry/online-registry.htm
 
Yes this is the right answer. I am also sure it can be reduced to a set of
specs and a drawing of how to do it right. No problem getting it posted up
here.

gene

>Hi, Jerry and Dave
>
>Good question, Jerry.
>
>Dave, it seems you have some experience with lift struts, and you made some
>good points on installing these. Our company builds custom sleepers for
Class
>8 trucks, and we use gas struts for lifting bunk platforms, and on tool
>compartment doors with a top hinge. I have worked out several of these
>designs, and I know there are a lot of things to be considered. The strut
>should be placed so it holds the door closed when it is shut (i.e. you must
>pull the door the first few inches before the strut pressure will push the
>door open). There is also a great variety in strut sizes, stroke lengths,
>lifting capacity, and mounting brackets available.
>
>The point I am making - we need some detailed information from someone who
>has "been there, did that" - that has figured out a setup that works. What
>brackets are used, where are they mounted (measured from the hinge point),
>what gas springs were used, part numbers, etc. If we can get some
>information, I will put together a list of parts, and a drawing with
>dimensions, and make it available on the net for all of us.
>
>I want to do this to my doors too, but it will be some time before I get our
>GMC back home, and if I had some information before I start it would
>definitely help me.
>
>Erv Troyer
>Lagrange, IN
>74 Sequoia (in the "burn ward", getting all better)
>
>
>------------------------- Original messages ----------------
>On Thursday, June 22, 2000 9:20 PM

>
>> Has anyone installed gas-charged lift struts on the Onan and LP doors?
>> Jerry Cad. Powered Edgemonte (CADDYSHACK)
>
>
>On Fri, 23 Jun 2000 21:55:56

>
>
>> Hi Jerry
>> The natural way to install struts is to mount the strut low down on the
>door
>> frame and connect the top end of the strut to the door a few inches out
from
>> the hinge.
>>
>> This makes the door into a long lever and as such it is likely to crack or
>> break.
>>
>> An alternative it to mount the strut on the door frame a few inches below
>> the hinge and then connect to other end far out on the door. The puts the
>> force of the strut far out on the door where there is not much lever action
>> and forces the greater pressure unto the frame which is much tougher than
>> the door.
>>
>> It is hard to picture but the strut is upright when the door is open and
>> upside down when the door is closed. The GM station wagons with the
flip up
>> glass window have thier struts mounted like this. If you get a chance to
>> visit the auto wreckers look for one and check it out.
>
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
 
I have strusts on my Generator & propane doors and love them.

The # on the struts is SPD-5250-30A made by Service Plus Distributors,
Bensalem. PA 215-639-7810. I believe these are available at any auto parts
place. I bought mine I believe at Pep Boys a local parts store. The are 18
1/2 " long extended and are mounted with the body up and the arm down,
however I don't think it makes any difference.

I mounted the door bracket (a flat-triangle bracket with a ball type pin )
3" down from the top of the door and bolted it to the the 2 verticle
fiberglass supports that are part of the doors themeselves.

I mounted the body brackets (a right angle bracket with a ball type pin) 17"
down from the top of the door opening.

I am very careful when I open and close the doors and keep my hands on each
side of the door to lift up or push down. I don't just open the door and let
it fly (so to speak)

Enjoy.

Tom Bradley
1977 Palm Beech (License Plate # "NEW 1977") Couldn't get anything with GMC
on it
Chandler, AZ
 
> Hi, Jerry and Dave
>
> Good question, Jerry.
>
> Dave, it seems you have some experience with lift struts, and you
snip.........
>
> The point I am making - we need some detailed information from
> someone who has "been there, did that" - that has figured out a setup
that
> works. What brackets are used, where are they mounted (measured from
the hinge
> point), what gas springs were used, part numbers, etc. If we can get
some
> information, I will put together a list of parts, and a drawing with
> dimensions, and make it available on the net for all of us.
>
> Erv Troyer
> Lagrange, IN
> 74 Sequoia (in the "burn ward", getting all better)
> Erv, I printed out your msg and when I get to Georgia next week I will
send you the dimensions. Assuming I can get a phone connection in the
Georgia Hill Country!

David Lee Greenberg
GMC Motorhome Registry
Dedicated to the preservation of the Classic GMC
http://www.gmcss.com/registry.htm

http://www.Buskirk-RushRV.com/gmc-registry/online-registry.htm
 
Hi Jerry
The natural way to install struts is to mount the strut low down on the door
frame and connect the top end of the strut to the door a few inches out from
the hinge.

This makes the door into a long lever and as such it is likely to crack or
break.

An alternative it to mount the strut on the door frame a few inches below
the hinge and then connect to other end far out on the door. The puts the
force of the strut far out on the door where there is not much lever action
and forces the greater pressure unto the frame which is much tougher than
the door.

It is hard to picture but the strut is upright when the door is open and
upside down when the door is closed. The GM station wagons with the flip up
glass window have thier struts mounted like this. If you get a chance to
visit the auto wreckers look for one and check it out.

Dave Mumert
dave

- ----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2000 9:20 PM
Subject: GMC: LIFT STRUTS

> Has anyone installed gas-charged lift struts on the Onan and LP doors?
> Jerry Cad. Powered Edgemonte (CADDYSHACK)
>
 
I Have Lift Struts on both doors and I'm happy with them. Got them from
Golby ($40 pair). Easy Install on my 26'. Work great no problems.

Dick Missett
73
Wyoming, PA.
 
Saw your coach at Buskirk's last week Erv. From the looks of the top of the
engine it must have been a fun fire. Sure makes you glad you have a good
insurance company.
 
Erv,
Here's some specs on the setup on my coach. The propane door struts had
been added by the PO and I recently installed a set to the Onan door.
As Dave Mummert stated, the attach points are the critical (weak) links and
he's right that the lift rod (ram) probably should attach to the door away
from the hinge line and the cylinder should attach to the door frame nearer
the hinge line (mine are the other way 'round). In either case consider the
struts as hold open devices, not openers. That will help protect the
fiberglass doors' longevity (they lasted this long, I want mine to last
longer). Use aluminum bar stock backing plates to the provided L-shaped
mounting brackets to sandwich and reinforce the fiberglass web on the door
attach point.
As a newby, I'm not up on posting pics yet, but here are the dimentions
for my installation, using a 9" long strut (the length of the cylinder
only). Length (give or take an inch) probably isn't critical. Cylinders can
be found in a few different diameters:
Clinders are attached with strut pivot 7 1/2" up from horizontal sill
(frame member) below the plywood floor of the propane compartment . This put
the right hand (coach forward) L-shaped attachment bracket almost centered
over the protruding sheet-metal screw which fastens the fiberglass propane
compartment box to the rib. I drilled a hole in the bracket to accommodate
this screw end.
Rod end is attached 4" down from door top edge. This triangular-shaped
bracket has an L-shaped backing plate sandwiching the FG web of the door and
the bracket is placed flat against the door so the load is distributed over
the area of the L-bracket, not concentrated at the drilled screw holes. In
essence, the screws provide positioning primarily.
As you say, Erv, be sure not to hyper-extend the ram when attaching to
the door to allow some extention of the ram as the door swings from the
latched position toward open. Because of the door curvature, the ram passes
over center a bit from fully closed as it swings toward open and the ram
assist won't begin its effect 'til the door's about 30 degrees open.
While I used new struts (I think I paid about $20 a pair), a trip to
U-Pull-It parts, looking for a Taurus/Sable wagon or other lift
gate/hatchback model, would have saved me most of that.
These openers were made by Service Plus Distributers, Inc of Bensalem,
Penn 19020 215/639-7810. Part number: SPD-5250-30 0535
I tried to call today to confirm sales outlets, but probably too late for
the holiday weekend. So I'll post this and follow up the phone call next
week. Maybe this much will help some others.

Fritz Washburn
'77 Kingsley
Twin Cities
 
Fritz: Sorry I didn't get the link to see your door lifts. I want to add them
to my '76 Palm Beach.
Thanks, John

> Fritz,
>
> Thanks much for the detailed explanation of the strut setup on your propane
> and generator doors. I am saving this info in a file which I can refer to
> when I install mine, and will try to come up with some drawings and materials
> list for others to use.
>
> Still haven't got our GMC back from Buskirk-Rush yet, so this will just have
> to wait.
>
> PS: Re: your email name - I assume that refers to one of my favorite SF
> movies, "The Last Star Fighter" ?
>
> Erv Troyer
> Lagrange, IN
>

> Subject: Re: GMC: LIFT STRUTS
>
> < Erv,
> < Here's some specs on the setup on my coach. The propane door struts had
> < been added by the PO and I recently installed a set to the Onan door.
> < As Dave Mummert stated, the attach points are the critical (weak) links and
> < he's right that the lift rod (ram) probably should attach to the door away
> < from the hinge line and the cylinder should attach to the door frame nearer
> < the hinge line (mine are the other way 'round). In either case consider the
> < struts as hold open devices, not openers. That will help protect the
> < fiberglass doors' longevity (they lasted this long, I want mine to last
> < longer). Use aluminum bar stock backing plates to the provided L-shaped
> < mounting brackets to sandwich and reinforce the fiberglass web on the door
> < attach point.
> < etc
 
> From: john
> Organization: Design Plastics Inc
> Reply-To: gmcmotorhome
> Date: Sun, 02 Jul 2000 09:31:10 -0500
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: Re: GMC: LIFT STRUTS
>
>
>> PS: Re: your email name - I assume that refers to one of my favorite SF
>> movies, "The Last Star Fighter" ?
>>
Erv,
Not exactly. I flew the F-104 Starfighter for nine years, first training
German Luftwaffe pilots at Luke AFB outside Phoenix, then operationally with
the Canadians and training/evaluating European allies while stationed in
Europe before I retired from the USAF. A great airplane - also a classic!
Still havent mastered this scanner though!
Fritz
 
Fritz,
I have to reply. It must have been a hoot to fly a J-79 with wings. That
was the best jet engine ever built. I flew with them on the B-58 for 6
years in the early/mid 60's then leapt backwards to the TF30 in the F-111.
Hope to run into you sometime.
Bob McLaughlin

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of
lastarfytr
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2000 1:14 PM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: Re: GMC: LIFT STRUTS

> From: john
> Organization: Design Plastics Inc
> Reply-To: gmcmotorhome
> Date: Sun, 02 Jul 2000 09:31:10 -0500
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: Re: GMC: LIFT STRUTS
>
>
>> PS: Re: your email name - I assume that refers to one of my favorite SF
>> movies, "The Last Star Fighter" ?
>>
Erv,
Not exactly. I flew the F-104 Starfighter for nine years, first training
German Luftwaffe pilots at Luke AFB outside Phoenix, then operationally with
the Canadians and training/evaluating European allies while stationed in
Europe before I retired from the USAF. A great airplane - also a classic!
Still havent mastered this scanner though!
Fritz
 
Bob,
Now there's a hot one. I remember the B-58s at Bunker Hill AFB in Peru, Ind
blowing out many flightline-building windows with the concussion caused by
lighting off the afterburners for takeoff. The base wasn't used to that
assault on the eardrums, having been involved with B-47s to that point. Lots
of runway-facing glass was replaced with plexiglass!
Yeah, we could tell stories.

Cheers,
Fritz
 
Gee I've been flying for about 35 years. I am an active pilot with commercial
and flight instructor ratings etc. as well as being an airplane owner for the
past 30 years. But this is like going to an air show for me. At air shows I'm
always thinking about how little I really know about flying when I see the show
pilots perform. So now on the GMCnet I feel the same. Guys here have flown the
B-58, F111 and F-104! Someone else mentioned time as a Naval aviator flying
off of carriers. Well compared to all that my general aviation experience has
been very, very limited. My hats off to you guys!
Richard Waters

> Fritz,
> I have to reply. It must have been a hoot to fly a J-79 with wings. That
> was the best jet engine ever built. I flew with them on the B-58 for 6
> years in the early/mid 60's then leapt backwards to the TF30 in the F-111.
> Hope to run into you sometime.
> Bob McLaughlin
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-gmcmotorhome
> [mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of
> lastarfytr
> Sent: Friday, July 07, 2000 1:14 PM
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: Re: GMC: LIFT STRUTS
>
> > From: john
> > Organization: Design Plastics Inc
> > Reply-To: gmcmotorhome
> > Date: Sun, 02 Jul 2000 09:31:10 -0500
> > To: gmcmotorhome
> > Subject: Re: GMC: LIFT STRUTS
> >
> >
> >> PS: Re: your email name - I assume that refers to one of my favorite SF
> >> movies, "The Last Star Fighter" ?
> >>
> Erv,
> Not exactly. I flew the F-104 Starfighter for nine years, first training
> German Luftwaffe pilots at Luke AFB outside Phoenix, then operationally with
> the Canadians and training/evaluating European allies while stationed in
> Europe before I retired from the USAF. A great airplane - also a classic!
> Still havent mastered this scanner though!
> Fritz
 
> From: Richard Waters
> Organization: Digitek Automation Systems, Inc.
> Reply-To: gmcmotorhome
> Date: Sun, 09 Jul 2000 00:56:19 -0400
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: Re: GMC: LIFT STRUTS
>
> Well compared to all that my general aviation experience has
> been very, very limited.

Richard,
We ALL started in bug smashers and went on. It's actually guys like you who
are closer to the point to serve as daily mentors for the next generation of
pilots starting in general aviation. I'm not sure how kids get interested in
flying these days. Headin' down to the local airport to wander around the
hangers and flightline doesn't happen like it used to for security reasons.
I can remember days opening light plane doors just to get the smells and
getting into planes in hangars and just sitting there in awe looking forward
to THE day.
Consider how many of us got into mechanics and electronics and when. How
does a kid today learn mechanics when a good deal of the work requires
special testers and tools, not a couple of Stilsons and ball peen hammer.
Thats why we're playin' with these specimens, I reckon.
Oh, well.

Cheers,
Fritz
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Get your shine on at www.cruzingear.co
Applied GMC

Share this page

Share this page
Top Bottom
Back