Basement Door supports

trafman · 10-26-2011, 06:48 PM

My entry level Winnebago uses hinged rods to hold open the basement doors below the slides. They are a real pain and I'd like to convert to another system. I'd like to hear from anyone who has converted to a piston style or any other form of upgrade.

smlranger · 10-26-2011, 07:40 PM

Welcome to the forum. My rig already has the gas strut type of supports but I would think you could add them to your rig. They basically use a ball and socket type of connection.

Hang on and I am sure someone will chime in if they have done the conversion.

Rook · 10-27-2011, 06:48 AM

I have TWO large bay access doors that are under my one slide. They came with piston assist devices, two on both doors. I have just "removed" all 4 pistons. Why? Well, both doors were limited to opening no higher than just below the bottom of the slide to prevent damage if the slide was accidentally opened/closed while the doors were open. This arrangement required you to always get down on your hands and knees to access the bays, even when the slide was closed! A definite PITA. Now I have a dowel cut to the right length to prop the door open IF the slide is open......and the BIG improvement, I have another length of galvanized water pipe with a rubber crutch pad on one end to hold the doors wide open when the slide is closed.....this is a GREAT improvement!! Rook.

George Z · 10-27-2011, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rook

I have TWO large bay access doors that are under my one slide. They came with piston assist devices, two on both doors. I have just "removed" all 4 pistons. Why? Well, both doors were limited to opening no higher than just below the bottom of the slide to prevent damage if the slide was accidentally opened/closed while the doors were open. This arrangement required you to always get down on your hands and knees to access the bays, even when the slide was closed! A definite PITA. Rook.

We also have 2 bays under both slides. The struts on our unit are two position struts. First pull opens 90 degrees, then second lift opens an additional 70 degrees. This way I can open bays with slide out and not hit the slide but if the slide is in I can open them fully.

ETnRvr · 10-28-2011, 03:40 PM

The newest (Dec 2011) edition of MotorHome has an article on page 58 titled "Hold It Up" that shows an after market kit named "HatchLift" in the $32-$42 range. It looks pretty good and I may try a couple on my 2012 Winnebago Vista 35F.

trafman · 10-29-2011, 12:05 PM

ETnRvr - thanks for the reply. I don't think my copy has come yet, but I'll definitely check it out. My RV is a 2011 35F, so if it works, it should work for both of us.

I really like the thought of a two stage system that George Z mentions - it sounds perfect.

The other option I'm considering w/ or w/o a better door support is a slide out tray for the under-slide compartment that has the heaviest items in it so my old back has it a bit easier.

Thanks to all who have replied and if anyone has yet to respond but has a good solution, bring it on.

trafman · 10-29-2011, 12:39 PM

My copy of MH just arrived and the Hatchlift Slide model looks just like what I was looking for allowing 90 and 140 degree openings depending on whether the slide is open or closed. They can be seen at HatchLift | RV Hatch Lifts | Lift Hatch | Hatch Lift Supports | Hatch Hinges

Martind4 · 11-06-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rook

I have TWO large bay access doors that are under my one slide. They came with piston assist devices, two on both doors. I have just "removed" all 4 pistons. Why? Well, both doors were limited to opening no higher than just below the bottom of the slide to prevent damage if the slide was accidentally opened/closed while the doors were open. This arrangement required you to always get down on your hands and knees to access the bays, even when the slide was closed! A definite PITA. Now I have a dowel cut to the right length to prop the door open IF the slide is open......and the BIG improvement, I have another length of galvanized water pipe with a rubber crutch pad on one end to hold the doors wide open when the slide is closed.....this is a GREAT improvement!! Rook.

I like the idea of 2 position struts, but I think my method works almost as well and is a LOT cheaper. The original cable was Winnebago's idea, I just improved on it by making the cable loop bigger so it will slip over the screw easily and allow the door to open higher. If I need to keep it under the slide, then I loop the cable back on the screw as shown in the picture.