Roof Lift Assists

[Beach]

Thinking of adding assists to my Hawk, how of you have installed them yourself? I see some installed inside and others installed on the exterior, is one better than the other. I will be spending a fair amount of time at the beach and worry about rust on the exterior set up. Does anyone have a strut part number, or manufacturer name. thanks

 

[rotti]

Don't have them but here is a 28 page thread:

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/2974-roof-lifting-helper-shocks-thingys/

 

[KILR0Y]

Yep, Starting on page 27 you'll see ETAV8R as one of the latest to show us how it's done. And just after that series of threads, I copied his work pretty much the same more or less, starting at page 28. I used the stronger 75# struts for my bigger camper, thus a larger roof assembly (I have the Hawk, his is the Eagle I think)

Total cost, less than $75
Total time to install, less than one hour...

Well worth it!

 

[KILR0Y]

Oh yes, as ETAV8R said in the very last post:

"Big props to Hadley for coming up with the ocean going hardware solution."


Got to give credit where credit is due... I love this site because most folks share their good ideas so we can all benefit from them. Lots of unique ideas on here.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Thinking of adding assists to my Hawk, how of you have installed them yourself? I see some installed inside and others installed on the exterior, is one better than the other. I will be spending a fair amount of time at the beach and worry about rust on the exterior set up. Does anyone have a strut part number, or manufacturer name. thanks

I installed mine myself,way back toward the beginning of that thread.Mine are on the outside,as if you place them inside you can only put them on the front.As a added production from salt air,I live close to the ocean,I wrapped the strut tubes with black electrical tape.Seems to work.
I carry a #60 canoe on the roof of my ATC Bobcat and use the #40 struts.Work great and when there isn't any weight on the roof the top comes down with out much pulling.
IMO struts,inside or out are a must.Sure don't want to hurt your back out on the road lifting the roof.
The whole thread has loads of info,for both installations.
Frank

 

[dorocks]

Here is an install on outside. Will not work with awning.

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/4825-new-roof-lifting-struts-installed-on-2009-hawk/


Keith