Bed Struts

[pdonoghu]

Our Voltage V 3105 came with Master Lift ML 34-150 gas struts to hold the bedroom bed up. 20" with 150 LBs of lift.

I replaced the undersized bed platform with new plywood that runs end to end under the mattress. I also went up in thickness just a bit, so the plywood is heavier.

We replaced the awful cheap mattress with a sleep number bed. Love the new mattress and not having the mattress sag on the wife's side as the platform was too short.

The challenge is now the gas struts won't hold up the new platform and mattress. I can't seem to find a stronger gas strut in 20" length than the stock 150 LB. 160 LBs seems to be the max, and one would have to go to 27".

Has anyone encountered this situation, and found a solution?

[macman83]

One thing to try might be moving the existing struts closer to the open end of the compartment. By doing that you increase the 'lever' length that the strut is pushing, thus you are lowering the amount of weight acting on the strut. The plywood will not raise as high, but you could use the existing struts that you have.

The other option that I can think of would be to look for an automotive hatchback strut that might be a little stronger.

[arlan in arizona]

I put a heavy 4' memory foam pad atop the cheapo factory mattress. Have since thrown it away. But while it was on the bed I keep a 5/8" dowel cut to the right length to told the bed up when I was under there. It positioned best by standing in outside of the compartment to the corner of the mattress platform.

If you find the correct struts I would take extra precaution and screw and glue the mounting pieces of wood you will be using. The way Dutchmen has them half ass nailed on I would expect them to tear loose with a stronger strut.

[sawpilot]

Yep, as Arlan said I kept a stick under the bed on a past unit. The struts help you lift it and the stick keeps it up.