No Lift Struts

[CPT Davenport]

Son in law purchased a 2006 Hawk. And it has no shock things. There is no sign of attachment points. Did that year not have the assist mechanisms?

 

[MarkBC]

My 2005 Hawk had no lift assist struts, nor attachment points. I added all that myself.

 

[ckent323]

You double posted and I didn't notice Mark already commented to this one so copying to here and deleting my comment to your first post.

They were not standard in the early days. I don't recall when they started adding them. Also some people had them installed inside rather than outside.

Our 2007 FWC Keystone has gas struts forward at the overcab bed inside no struts in the rear.

I upgraded them to 60 pound struts because the lever arm is shorter than if mounted at the front exterior. In addition because of the 360 watt solar panel on the roof and that there are no rear struts.

They do have to be changed out for fresh struts every few years. Apparently the seals just don't hold the gas too long. :-(

 

[PaulT]

Gas assist external lift struts were optional on my 2014 FWC Hawk. Another data point.

Paul

 

[CPT Davenport]

Thanks all, sorry for the double post. Thats what I get for trying to post from the middle of the ocean on my phone!

 

[CPT Davenport]

My 2005 Hawk had no lift assist struts, nor attachment points. I added all that myself.

Do you have a model number for the ones you used? Also is there any secret to mounting them?

 

[MarkBC]

Do you have a model number for the ones you used? Also is there any secret to mounting them?

Sorry, I can't help you there. The best source for info on this (in case you haven't seen it yet) is This Thread.

 

[CPT Davenport]

Sorry, I can't help you there. The best source for info on this (in case you haven't seen it yet) is This Thread.

Perfect, thanks!

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

The first time they became the thing to do was the beginning of 2010,(I think).
I think "The Saints" from Santa Cruz was the one who first posted about them.

I installed mine about March 2010.
Frank

 

[CPT Davenport]

I’m just sent him Brenda’s contact from FWC. She will get him pointed in the right direction. I also found this long winded video.

https://www.google.com/search?q=adding+lift+struts+to+four+wheel+cmaper+wander+the+west&rlz=1C5GCEM_enUS1019US1019&oq=adding+lift+struts+to+four+wheel+cmaper+wander+the+west&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChirAjIJCAQQIRgKGKsC0gEJMTg0NjZqMGo0qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&safe=active&ssui=on#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:50c4dd0d,vid:IIAp4bdm8YA

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Just went to the original thread,lots of info.
FWC had been using them but inside.
I installed mine on 25 March 2010 and have loved them ever since.
Frank

 

[Jon R]

Just a caution that, while those historical threads talk about 60 and 80 lb struts, the current warning in the FWC owners manual says no greater than 40 lb struts should be used for the external installation. Since those early installations, some people have had the screws that attach the brackets to the camper roof work loose and the last one holding snaps off if you don’t notice.

 

[CPT Davenport]

Duly noted Jon. Thanks.

Frank what pound did you install?

 

[BBZ]

30 lb works fine with nothing on roof..
40 lb with one solar panel seems sufficient..

super easy install..

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Duly noted Jon. Thanks.

Frank what pound did you install?

I use the 40# ones ,Suspa #C16-15952 was $ 30 and Suspa #P67-00203 brackets $ 3.
I ordered right from the company as they have a great warranty.

These things work great.
I used to carry a # 60 canoe plus the solar and the top lifted without any trouble.
Frank

 

[CPT Davenport]

I use the 40# ones ,Suspa #C16-15952 was $ 30 and Suspa #P67-00203 brackets $ 3.
I ordered right from the company as they have a great warranty.

These things work great.
I used to carry a # 60 canoe plus the solar and the top lifted without any trouble.
Frank

Thank you!

 

[Vic Harder]

#80 in the front #60 in the rear. 330W solar panel, 40# canoe, sand traks, large cell/wifi antenna, etc on the roof. First 3" are hard to lift, even with doors/windows open and two 60'ish people pushing.

 

[CPT Davenport]

#80 in the front #60 in the rear. 330W solar panel, 40# canoe, sand traks, large cell/wifi antenna, etc on the roof. First 3" are hard to lift, even with doors/windows open and two 60'ish people pushing.

That's quite a load Vic!