Gas Strut Replacement 2008 Sightseer 29R

[7997redtail]

There have not been many articles about searching for struts lately so I though I'd get one going.

I'm looking at replacing four cargo bay struts. Stats are 15" long, compressed length 9.5" and 90 lb compression (400nm).

Stabilus part # 7175SO - 0400N - 037/07 A21
Winnebago # 124569 -12 - 000

I started by searching forums to see what I could find. Very few topics newer than 2020, the odd 2022. There are lots of links to mostly US sites. Not a problem but I'm just starting out and pretty expensive so far.

looking at amazon, the info is wide and not very easy to get just the sizes I'm looking for. I also don't necessarily trust a lot of stuff there unless they are highly recommended. Biggest problem is only finding the 15" 90lb struts.

I've call a local Auto parts outfit, Lordco, but they want to start with year make and model. They don't seem to get RVs.

I also looked for local suppliers (Amre, McMasters, Steveston marine etc. etc.) and I came up with a local guy working out of his house that rebuilds them. I was intrigued after he asked what brand of shock then said the were a good make worth rebuilding (Stabilus Lift-O-Matic). Price wise I can buy them off amazon cheaper.

Anyways, i thought I would get this going to see if anyone has had the rebuilt, found a good product or has some advice.

Thanks in advance

 

[BCam]

I've ordered struts from LiftSupportsDepot.com for my 2002 Itasca cargo bay doors several times and they've always been perfect. They sell a replacement strut on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Replaces-142569-12-000-Winnebego-Lift-Support/dp/B07HCQWN7C

And, if you don't like it, it's covered by Amazon's liberal return policy.

 

[RayIN]

I use these websites, one shows how to measure, which is extended length and length of stroke.


gas struts springs
https://www.maxumhardware.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=50
https://www.hatchlift.com/index.php?_route_=rv-hatch-replacement-springs
https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/
https://www.gas-springs.biz/spd-cross-reference

 

[7997redtail]

Thanks for the info...

Thanks for the info Ill look into it tonight.

 

[7997redtail]

Excellent resources

After looking at the sites Ive decided to put this off until next summer. I realized that if i buy them now the warrantee wound end before I actually used them. The RV is in storage right now.

I've kept your links and appreciate the effort.

Thanks

I use these websites, one shows how to measure,

which is extended length and length of stroke.


gas struts springs
https://www.maxumhardware.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=50
https://www.hatchlift.com/index.php?_route_=rv-hatch-replacement-springs
https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/
https://www.gas-springs.biz/spd-cross-reference

 

[Cr250]

I removed most all of my struts and added magnets. They open all the way and its way cheaper. But not all doors will work this way. Good luck

 

[7997redtail]

Wow that is a neat idea. As soon as I read this I started thinking about what hatches I could do it with or not and how to do it if the slide is out or out.

Realistically, it would make getting into the under slide hatches much easier when the slide is in.

If you get a minute, id love to know what magnets (source if possible) and a picture. Are they screw attached, adhesive or two sided tape?

Im definitely going to look very carefully at doing this. I hate crawling under the four hatches that are under the slides whether open or not.

Thanks in advance

 

[BCam]

Here's cheap, temporary fix. I wish I had a picture, but cut a piece of 3/4" schedule 40 PVC pipe that's long enough to fit between the cylinder of your strut and the door when open, but shorter than the cylinder. If you have the tools you can cut a slot in the pipe so it will snap over the rod. If not, you can disconnect one end of your strut and slide it over.

When your hatch is closed, the PVC pipe will store over the cylinder. When you open your hatch, you'll slide it up and cock it sideways a bit and it will hold your door open. Unless your hatch is very large, you only need to do this on one side.

I used this as a temporary fix until I was able to get around to ordering replacements. The only downside is, depending on the relative dimensions, you may not be able to hold the hatch open as far as you want. Here's a video of a similar fix on a camper shell. The issue I have with it is his pipe is too small to go over the cylinder so it has to be removed each time:

https://www.google.com/search?q=pvc...ate=ive&vld=cid:c1c7ba1d,vid:MoWcnGslSLU,st:0

 

[7997redtail]

Nice idea.

My shocks are still working just “limp”. In the cold. I’ll remember this as an emergency fix.

Thanks

 

[Cr250]

https://www.amazon.com/CalPalmy-Mag...ocphy=9029995&hvtargid=pla-894525139154&psc=1