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Old 09-25-2018, 02:59 AM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 34R
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THOR #12807
gas spring for bed

Is it possible to have the whole bed on a base that will open with a gas spring or springs?
There are 3 compartments under my king bed which seems strange to me. It would be handy to raise it all at once.

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Old 09-25-2018, 07:24 PM   #2
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I have seen it done. Was going to try it myself until we replaced the stock mattress with a custom mattress that doesn't bend easily. Probably should mount a thicker mounting plate like say a 2X4 that can give you a stronger mounting location for the shocks. Let us know how it works if you go for it.
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Old 09-25-2018, 07:57 PM   #3
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Another concern...the gas spring/shocks are STRONG!! RV mattresses are very light. It may just stay in the raised position.
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Old 10-23-2018, 04:23 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton View Post
Another concern...the gas spring/shocks are STRONG!! RV mattresses are very light. It may just stay in the raised position.
Had another brand of trailer that had a bed that raised up and an arm that locked it in place. That place was to store extra sheets and blankets. Wasn't that heavy to lift.
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Old 10-23-2018, 04:45 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton View Post
Another concern...the gas spring/shocks are STRONG!! RV mattresses are very light. It may just stay in the raised position.
You can get gas springs in different strengths.


We traded in a TT when we bought our ACE that had under bed storage with gas springs to help lift the mattress and hold it up to access the storage underneath it. Was really surprised there were no springs to do the exact same thing on the coach. One of the first mods I did was to add the springs - they work great. The second mod was to add extra hinges as the original hinges could not take the pressure exerted by the gas springs.
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Old 10-23-2018, 06:29 AM   #6
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Great idea.

I took a "C"-shaped pipe bracket (kind used to mount conduit to a wall) and mounted it the near the top of the inside of the bed frame. Then cut a piece of 1" dowel that protrudes 2 feet about the end of the frame and put a rubber cane tip on one end.

When I need to get in the left bed compartment I just lift the bed, mattress and all, and insert the dowel (which I keep in the bed compartment) into the "C" bracket.

Need to make up set up for the right bed compartment too.
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Old 10-23-2018, 02:05 PM   #7
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My hubby just created a work around for me to keep my king mattress up in my 2016 Thor Challenger 37KT while storing my appliances & bedding underneath. He used a sliding door prop (used to lock/secure a sliding glass door) underneath to make like a car hood prop. We exchanged the RV mattress for a memory foam that is much heavier. Although the gas shocks would raise the mattress - it wouldn't hold it up. It's great - works perfectly and cost under $15.
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Old 11-03-2018, 08:13 PM   #8
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no gas spring but ...

Decided to use a stainless steel support swing leg- works great and we also changed the wood to red maple veneer plywood. We framed out and made a removable cover to get to the valves under the bed.
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