Think I need stronger struts for the front shade..

[shupack]

You can just see it on the right, the weight of the snow collapsed the gas-struts, but didn't slide off... other than that, no problems!!

[perryg114]

There are two things that kill those gas struts. One is cold temperature causes the gas to contract lowering the pressure and number two is age. They loose a little pressure each year till they won't do the job. The good news is that you can buy them pretty cheap from places like mcmaster.com. You need to know the extended length and the collapsed length and the force you are trying to resist. In this case that would be gravity. If you remove both of the struts then measure the force required to hold the awning up with something like a fish scale, you divide that number by 2 to get the force needed on each side then add 20-30% to that number you have your force. Sometimes the strut has this printed on it. You want to pull in the same direction that the strut is in. If the strut is at 45 degrees then you need to pull at 45 degrees. Personally, I HATE these things because they don't last more than a few years then you have to pay to replace them. If you go to an auto parts place they want as much as $50 each for them. I expect you can get them for about $20 each.

Of course, rich folks that buy Airstreams and German tow vehicles can afford this kind of maintenance.

Perry

[shupack]

I just installed them, 15# (the awning is just sheet aluminum). Originally sliding/locking struts, but they rusted out, so I swapped them for gas, quite easy.

And my tow vehicle is British