Roof lift gas struts

[buckland]

I have read the 50 page 'thingie' string, the recall info and the inside outside debate.
I want to install 45lb lifts on my 2011 eagle. I read the FWC pdf saying nothing over 40lbs should be used.
But also see folks with 80 lb struts installed.
My questions are:
1) where is the best place to buy the 40" , 40-45 lb struts.
2) where does one buy the new hardware that is now being used (with the 2 screw mounts)? I refer not to the recall kit from FWC but a new install from an online source.
As I have a solar panel, Yakima tracks and bars and a small rack, (I'd always take boats off before lifting the roof) I was wondering
3) what the advice would be for strut lift pounds.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated

 

[Ted]

We have a solar panel and full length tracks mounted to our roof. 30 lb struts, two front and two rear. With the roof as is my 5'1" wife can lift the top. When we take the kayaks, we unload them before popping the roof. But we leave the rack bars and two sets of Malone Seawings on the roof. As a guess, thats about 50 lbs. I can lift the roof like that but it takes a little effort. I think the concern about not have too much lift is more for lowering the roof. It won't drop due to gravity so you actually have to pull it down. Marty told me the locking end panels are not designed for that and it could break them. I t is best to pull down on the boards that you push up on when lifting the roof.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I installed "outside" #40 struts,as posted on the "thingie" thread.
I was carrying a #60 canoe plus a small solar panel and had no problem with raising the roof with the canoe in place.
Now that I don't carry the canoe the roof is a snap to lift. Lowering is different but for the front I close the door and use the fantastic fan to help pull out the air and bring in the liner and pull as little on the front bar. Using the push bar overhead to do the pushing.
IMO stronger struts aren't necessary.
I ordered mine through Suspa.com the maker of the struts.They have all the necessary parts.
Mine are mounted using the angle brackets and have had no problems in almost 5 years of use.
Frank

 

[Alley-Kat]

I'm not sure if things are the same today, however, back in 2011, the odd ball numbers in pounds were very expensive (about 3x to 4x as expensive) and were custom built with a fairly long delivery time (4-5 weeks). The 30, 40, & 60 pounds of lift were easy to find and relatively inexpensive. It was the 35, 45, 50, 55 pounds of lift that were the custom sizes.

I have the external, dual, 2 on the front and 2 on the back, 30 lbs. each, gas struts. Works OK with nothing except the solar panel on the front and empty Yakima racks on the mid to back section. When I have the kayaks (28 lbs, each, sometimes only two kayaks, sometimes all 4 of them) on the top, it's either unload the kayaks before lifting (not always desirable when I'm in transit to a long away from home destination), or, I just use the "speaker stand lift thing" for both raising and lowering with the kayaks on the top.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

, or, I just use the "speaker stand lift thing" for both raising and lowering with the kayaks on the top.

I have always felt it's good to have some extra sort of lifting devise along also.
Sure saves the back.
Frank

 

[buckland]

First off thanks a lot for all the above advice... I'd like to not be sorry I got the wrong application and this forum is great for avoiding exploratory purchases. I have the speaker crank lifter too. It has been great up until I installed the Yakima tracks and bars and a solar panel. I have started hearing a strain on the crank and know it is time to get the struts. My wife is 5'2" and can not lift the roof the last bit off the speaker crank to tie the strap. The question is 30 or 40 lbs. then. I definitely do not want to stress out the front lifter by having to pull it down when closing. So it seems that 30 would be the best?
The angle brackets are not the same as the "recall" 2 screw plate with the ball studs? I have a 2011 Eagle so not sure which is a better one to get. (Do I have to go through FWC to get the plates or are they now part of the Suspa mounting/)
Thanks again

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

First off thanks a lot for all the above advice... I'd like to not be sorry I got the wrong application and this forum is great for avoiding exploratory purchases. I have the speaker crank lifter too. It has been great up until I installed the Yakima tracks and bars and a solar panel. I have started hearing a strain on the crank and know it is time to get the struts. My wife is 5'2" and can not lift the roof the last bit off the speaker crank to tie the strap. The question is 30 or 40 lbs. then. I definitely do not want to stress out the front lifter by having to pull it down when closing. So it seems that 30 would be the best?
The angle brackets are not the same as the "recall" 2 screw plate with the ball studs? I have a 2011 Eagle so not sure which is a better one to get. (Do I have to go through FWC to get the plates or are they now part of the Suspa mounting/)
Thanks again

Go to the Supsa web site or call them for the info on what mounts and struts would be best.

IMO I would go with the #40 struts.
Frank

 

[takesiteasy]

Go to the Supsa web site or call them for the info on what mounts and struts would be best.

IMO I would go with the #40 struts.
Frank

We have the 40# struts and like them. We have a Yakima rack on top and sometimes a canoe or other load. I often pull the top down from outside rather than using the lifter board when there is nothing on the roof.

 

[DesertDave]

Just FYI. I have factory solar and the Yakima rails and FWC installed 30# struts on the front and 20# struts on the rear. With no additional load, lifting and lowering is easy. Tough with no struts (as in when doing the recall yourself), equally tough with two kayaks on the roof.

 

[Oryguntroutbum]

I have a 2014 Hawk. I outfitted it with 40# struts front and back. I have the full Yakima rack with basket and a 100 watt panel. The 40# struts are perfect and sometimes I need to coax them down.

The ball sockets used are 10mm and can be found at a good auto parts/hardware store (not O'Reilly's or Autozone). They can also be bought online but I felt more comfortable grabbing them at a store where I could check and make sure they fit.

If you find the Suspa model number you can put it into the eBay search engine and find an off brand for a way better deal. I got two pairs of 36" struts for $29.99 per pair with free shipping. Work great. I definitely would not buy heavier than 40# with the new threaded system. If people are having problems with the factory install then I would guess heavier ones would cause damage much sooner. I ended up having around $100 invested compared to the $300+ charged by the factory. Good luck!!

Chris

 

[Oryguntroutbum]

I have a 2014 Hawk. I outfitted it with 40# struts front and back. I have the full Yakima rack with basket and a 100 watt panel. The 40# struts are perfect and sometimes I need to coax them down.

The ball sockets used are 10mm and can be found at a good auto parts/hardware store (not O'Reilly's or Autozone). They can also be bought online but I felt more comfortable grabbing them at a store where I could check and make sure they fit.

If you find the Suspa model number you can put it into the eBay search engine and find an off brand for a way better deal. I got two pairs of 36" struts for $29.99 per pair with free shipping. Work great. I definitely would not buy heavier than 40# with the new threaded system. If people are having problems with the factory install then I would guess heavier ones would cause damage much sooner. I ended up having around $100 invested compared to the $300+ charged by the factory. Good luck!!

Chris

Sorry, just re-read your post and saw you have a 2011 which is prior to the threaded sleeves being standard. The angle brackets you will need are readily available on eBay and other sites. It should still be 10mm.

 

[buckland]

All sounds good. I have also seen folks put a 6" metal strip first on the roof before installing the ball/bracket for added distribution of stress. Think this is overkill? I tend to put a 4 ft deep foundation on a 2 ft wall. "Safety Joe".

 

[craig333]

Mines seen quite a bit of use and I can't detect any wear and tear around my brackets. I have nothing against overkill though.

 

[buckland]

Well getting a tad interesting... this goes out to Finch Eagle and Fleet folk who have the gas struts. Does anyone have 40lb ones?
If so where'd you get them? I contacted Suspa and they sent this:


[SIZE=11pt]Hello Robert Lord![/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Four Wheel Campers has a 40” ext. cyl.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]C16-31895, 20 lbs.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]C16-31896, 30 lbs.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]We have not shipped any 40lb. cyl.,[/SIZE]


FWC's pdf says this below


Thanks

 

[craig333]

I'd take those warnings with a grain of salt, although I did have an issue in DV once where having the struts made getting the top down more difficult because of the wind. Of course if I'd had another cup of coffee and not been so anxious to beat the snow I might have just moved the truck so the wind wasn't blowing directly into it. Live and learn.

 

[buckland]

Well, I spoke with Suspa and Brenda. The best fit for me would ....I say would..... be the 30 lb 40" lifters. Buying them from Suspa is out of the question as they want $100 per each... yup... plus hardware. I have searched in all the wrong places to find them at a reasonable price mentioned in the other strings. If anyone has a source I'd be mighty obliged.
Onwards and upwards...I hope.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Just checked the Suspa site and was shocked. Not only at the price but trying to find the right strut was to much searching.
4 years ago I ordered mine from them and the process sure was easier and 4 struts plus 8 angle brackets if my memory is correct about $140 TOTAL
Frank

 

[buckland]

Ya the sight was a pain in the butt... could not search for size ...if you don't have # there was 161 pages to leaf through!. I will say when I called they were nice but the prices are crazy... $150 for a replacement... or $100 each if 2 or more. I contacted Brenda as FWC buys bulk and should be able to give me a deal on a 'kit' I hope. Yikes.... was not expecting this.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I went back to the original thread by the saints. " roof lifter helper thingies".



The struts that I and others ordered are #C16-15952 40# cost is $30 still. The bracket I used is #P67-00203, which is an angled one in coated black. #P67-00205 is a flat bracket also in black. They cost $3 apiece.

So my memory didn't fail me , total cost would be 4 struts $120 ,8 brackets $24 $144 out the door!

Don't know where or why you were directed to the $100 struts. I think the struts you asked about have a different attachment end style. Or maybe higher due to total length. Mine are 36" opened.

There are other members who also have this # strut plus I think it was the one used from the factory FWC/ACT.
Hope this helps.

PM me if you want more info.
Frank

 

[Oryguntroutbum]

Here is what I bought that fits the stock threaded sleeves in the new Hawk campers. Way cheaper than Suspa.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150970149343?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649