Bed stuck in the UP position - HELP!

[time2play]

Okay, nobody laugh please. This is probably a first. Our bed was lifted up to access the storage space, and now we can't seem to figure out how to push it back down. The two tension rods holding up the wooden slat seems to be stuck.

Any suggestions? Is there a button or something that will releases the rods. We hate to keep pulling/pushing them, don't want anything to break.

Help! And thanks.

[dbj216]

Maybe one of you lift and take the load off the rods. And the other try to move the rods toward the closed position. Maybe the rods are stuck in an "over center" position and locked.

David

[time2play]

David, we tried that. The rods do seem to be locked, and nothing seems to be working. Just of curiosity, how does one normally lower the bed? Does it normally just go down, or is there something you have to do to "unlock" the rods?

Thanks!!

[SteveSueMac]

We haven't had this problem but I've seen the advice to others that have - press harder! There isn't a button (that I'm aware of) to release the pressure. Just press harder than you think you should. Good luck!!

[Mike91208]

Don't know if your bed is like ours (queen), but we faced this as well, in the beginning. You just have to use a lot of force to push it back down. No locks or releases. Just PUSH!

[time2play]

Really? Just push? Oh my gosh, we tried to push and it seemed like we were going to break it! We were afraid to push harder. We ended actually unscrewing the ends of the rods and released them. Obviously a temporary solution, but we had to get that bed down!

Once we calm down, maybe we'll screw the rods back in and give it a try. Or maybe we'll just have the Airstream service department show us how it's done when we return the trailer tomorrow.

For now, it's down and I'm happy.

Gosh, should something that simple be that difficult?

Thank you all again!

[HowieE]

If you have a couple of 2x4s and a hinge make up a system with the rod that has the same dimensions as the bed and push on it. At least you won't brake the 2x4s and that will tell you how much force you have to use. It is unlikely the gas cylinders are stuck inside so give it a try.

[casarodante]

Originally Posted by time2play

Really? Just push? Oh my gosh, we tried to push and it seemed like we were going to break it! We were afraid to push harder. We ended actually unscrewing the ends of the rods and released them. Obviously a temporary solution, but we had to get that bed down!

Once we calm down, maybe we'll screw the rods back in and give it a try. Or maybe we'll just have the Airstream service department show us how it's done when we return the trailer tomorrow.

For now, it's down and I'm happy.

Gosh, should something that simple be that difficult?

Thank you all again!

Very odd. On our 2012, we just push it back down. However with two memory foam pads sometimes we have to hold it up even with the rods.

Definitely have the service department check if you can.

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by Mike91208

Don't know if your bed is like ours (queen), but we faced this as well, in the beginning. You just have to use a lot of force to push it back down. No locks or releases. Just PUSH!

Yup, just be firm with it. Our 2011 had the same issue but I gave it a stern talking to and just pushed; all is well

[Hibby]

Agreed, same issue here. Push, but I would recommend direct pressure over the rods rather than from the end of the bed. You may also look at how well the rods are mounted to the wood frame below. I had to replace the screws in my gas struts because they weren't deep enough.


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[time2play]

Thank you so much everyone!! I appreciate all the advice. I knew I would find the answer here. Hibby, good suggestion on where to apply pressure.

We still haven't tried to "push down hard", we'll give it a try tomorrow.

Thanks again!

[m.hony]

I think you just gotta push down harder.

[Msmoto]

If, for reasons not understood, there is the phenomenon called "stiction" especially in gas shock absorbers, this might be an issue here. A synthetic lube, used extremely sparingly on the push rod, near the actual gas tension rods, may help to eliminate a recurrence of this problem. A spray synthetic lube may help to get the bed closed.

[Gunta10]

Thanks for the original post. Was able to apply enough pressure to push the bed down. Thanks, everyone!