bed storage gas struts "stuck"

[gbelcastro]

Our 2012 Flying Cloud is equipped with the popular ML 16-90 gas struts to hold up the bed platform while reaching the under-bed storage. After a long first season, the struts (both of them!) decided that they won't close. I can see how one strut can break down but both at the same time? So we ordered replacement struts and guess what, the same problem. We turn, twist, push and shove them but nothing happens. The struts remain expanded i.e. won't close.
What is the trick? Where are we failing? Hope to hear from you, G&R

[Goin camping]

My struts on our 2007 did that. I unscrewed them from the bed bottom and promptly forgot about it.

Several years later Uwe of Area 63 was installing a moho battery under the bed and I told him what happened. He re screwed them to the bed and using body weight closed it.

I suspect you like I just didn't expend enough oomph into closing it.

[MrUKToad]

We have a similar issue in our 2011 International. It doesn't help that the plywood bed base flexes a bit when you're trying to close it up, but just go for it' give it a bit of weight and it'll close OK.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, if the struts are that hard to collapse, they must be too strong. They have several sizes and pound ratings, buy weaker ones. Example: 80 lbs instead of 100 lbs.

[Scott J-24]

Yup, what they all said! I had the same problem when we first got our AS and thought the struts were stuck. I called the PO and he said to just use more weight and it would close just fine. He was correct. The problem went away completely when we replaced the thin trailer queen bed with a REAL full sized queen mattress from Costco.

[dznf0g]

Also, whenever these struts are installed, they must have the oil filled black tube "up" and the silver rod "down" so that the seals will stay lubricated and slide easily....and not dry out.

Now with a bed...one could argue that they are horizontal most of the time and only extended once in awhile, so it shouldn't matter.

BUT, I found that mine were installed upside down and were sticky. Further, after careful study, I found they weren't horizontal when the bed was closed. They were tipped to the "butt" or black end when closed and , of course "butt" or black end down when the bed was open.

I reversed them and have had no further issue.

[m.hony]

So...what did you do? Did you drive around with the bed at a 45 degree angle?

[dznf0g]

No, I reversed the mounting position, so the black tube is toward the head of the bed.

[dznf0g]

Mine weren't frozen.....just sticky.

[m.hony]

I was asking the op. I guess I should have specified.

[dznf0g]

sorry, carry on.