camper trailer struts. Help please

Submitted: Friday, Dec 11, 2015 at 17:12

ThreadID: 131101 Views:4469 Replies:5 FollowUps:7

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Member - lyndon NT

Hi All

Have a mate who has a CT with a boat on top of it. Works well. He has now bought a fold up trailer which he would like to be able to leave intact strapped to the top of the boat. The trailer is alloy and hence quite light.
However this will mean the existing struts won't be able to lift the load. Has anyone had a similar situation and if so how did you resolve it? Realising that once the lift scenario is sorted we would have created another issue of getting it back down. Think that might be more easily solved but am interested in idea's on that front also.

Thanks

Lyndon

camper trailer struts

camper trailer

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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Friday, Dec 11, 2015 at 19:32

Friday, Dec 11, 2015 at 19:32

Have a look here Lyndon. There is a formula on one page, to work out what you need. If the trailer is very light then I doubt you'll need to upgrade by much. From what I've found with struts is they often need a little assistance to lift the item, but as long as they keep it in place then everything is cool.

Ovesco also sell a variety of struts, and their service is excellent.

Bob

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AnswerID: 593704

Follow Up By: Member - lyndon NT - Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 at 16:44

Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 at 16:44

An extra 50 kg is going on the roof. I have found the part number on them and the manufacturer is still in business so should be able to get info out of them.
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Reply By: PhilD - Friday, Dec 11, 2015 at 23:34

Friday, Dec 11, 2015 at 23:34

You can get gas added to good quality struts, by places like Strut Regas. I had a 4.1 m composite boat on my Kimberly Kamper, and used a small winch with dyneema rope on a sleeve on the side of the loader to winch it over to the point of equilibrium, and then used my weight to finish closing it. I used the winch to let the loader slowly release so I always had control of it.

AnswerID: 593714

Follow Up By: Member - lyndon NT - Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 at 16:45

Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 at 16:45

Hi
I would think that type would have to have an external valve? Yes?
Not so with these.
cheers

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Follow Up By: PhilD - Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 at 18:07

Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 at 18:07

No, the standard struts can have gas added to them. There is no external valve.

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Reply By: Injected - Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 at 02:58

Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 at 02:58

Struts Australia is another supplier of Gas struts. I have purchased about 7 over my time from them.
Just a tip: 100kn force strut is about 10Kgs of force.

AnswerID: 593716

Follow Up By: Member - Rosco from way back - Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 at 12:03

Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 at 12:03

Oops ............. 100 KN is about 10 tonnes force (adopting a value of 10 for G)
100 N (newton) is about 10 Kg force.

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Follow Up By: Member - lyndon NT - Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 at 16:47

Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 at 16:47

LOL, yes, I knew when I saw the k that there was a slight error :-)
Cheers

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Reply By: Rangiephil - Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 at 13:25

Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 at 13:25

You can get struts in different strengths or newtons.
They come in various strengths from say 200 newtons up to 1100 newtons.
See if you can see the newtons on the strut and if not contact the camper trailer manufacturer.
You can then select one with higher newtons ,and fit them.
Just be aware that you need a considerable tool to compress struts if they are not fully extended, and all thread alone does not qualify as it bends.
Regards Philip A

AnswerID: 593724