lift strut mounting

[d0ubledown]

so im pretty much done with my trailer build. got a 4" high lid, and SOA done. got pics, but i forgot my card reader at home..so ill update my other thread when i get home.

one of the final touches is to get the lift struts on. i got a pair that are about 18" extended, and rated at 130# i think. quite alot of force to compress it...i had to put it in between a floor jack and the trailer frame to cycle it.

hows the best orientation for mounting these? should the struts be straight up at the end of its travel? keep in mind ive got a tail gate, so mounting point for the rear strut will be limited. ideally id like to use both the struts, but since the strongest ones i could get were only 18" extended...it puts the mounting very close to the pivot point. ive got the lid propped up on one end..and theres barely any twist to the lid.

ive researched many peoples setups...but not that many have gates cut in so their rear mounting point would be where my tail gate is. my lid weighs in at about 90ish lbs. not using an RTT, but will have roof rack capabilities for a cargo basket or bike racks. probably about 200ish lbs fully loaded with racks and bikes.

anyone with lift struts have any advice? or pics of their lift systems?

my trailer as i purchased it can be seen here

https://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tech/263936-got-me-m101.html

i was thinking of mounting on the area right above the bevelled part of the tub...on front and rear walls.

 

[MANUCHAO]

My lid is aluminum and it weight about 140@ with RTT and bikes I figure another 300@.

I got my struts from McMasterCarr they have from 50@ up to 250@..
Im running 2-250@ on each side yeah that's about 1K@ and they worked great..

The struts are at around 45-50° when open and they hold the lid with RTT and 2 bikes with no problem..
I'll take pics of my set up and show yah what I got...

 

[MANUCHAO]

Here are the struts I put it...

 

[MANUCHAO]

The mount for the struts in the trailer were already there.. the mounts for the struts in the lid were on the front of the lid with small struts..

So I just moved them back and installed this bigger struts..

 

[MANUCHAO]

I guess I was wrong.. my lid sits at around 30° when fully open.... see pic below..

I guess I could have move the eye of the strut a little more so the lid can go further up but the way it is gives me plenty of access to the trailer...

 

[d0ubledown]

hey thanks for those pics manu...nice setup! i see that youve got it hinged at the front. mines hinged on the DS so it opens PS. i ended up double strutting it on the front side, since i dont have much room where the tail gate is. it opens on its own, and stays up...but i think once i add a roof rack and some bikes or a cargo basket, itll probably fall down.

i didnt have much to choose from at the auto parts store, as the strongest they had (130lbs) only came in an 18" extended length. i was looking for at least 24". at 18" extended...with such a short stroke, i was forced to mount closer to the hinge...increasing the amount of force needed to push it up. once i get home, i may end up ordering some from mcmaster...or looking at the junkyard for some sienna or similar rear lift struts...or perhaps adding another pair on the tailgate side of the tub.

 

[MANUCHAO]

d0ubledown.. if you look at the adventure trailers. I think the set their struts on the outside of the trailer.. maybe you could do this too ??

G'luck !!

 

[davegonz]

There's an old thread that mentions proper placement.
Here it is:McMaster-Carr

Edit: I think MANUCHAO beat me to that link.