39 replies to this topic

[john cotterman]

I’d like to upgrade to 40lb 40” struts for my eagle. I installed the 40” 30lb a couple years ago and now want to buy the Canadian ones as they are cheaper ... my concern is my ball mounts are 40” and the attached photo it says 40.25” for the Canadian. Am I safe to assume that that is the total open height and that the closed measure should still be able to attach to my current mounts? IMG_6151.JPG

That's my post re the Canadian (Gemini) struts. I've seen the 40" figure thrown out more as a category (distinguished from the 30 inchers) rather than an exact measurement. The 1/4 inch "extra" is not a problem. They will fit.

[buckland]

Well that is good news... appreciate the reassurance. I just hate buying something only to realize I did not cover all the bases.

[Shoboat]

Hi Buckland,

 

Do you happen to have a link to your mentioned DIY?  I have a 2013 Eagle on my 2016 Tacoma, so your setup is similar to mine.  Your experience is invaluable.

 

A couple of quick questions:

-Did you make those (sweet!) plates or order them? 

-You're happy with using adhesive tape to affix?  I'm thinking of using 3M VHB

-If we put 40lbs struts on the front and back, do you figure we pull down the roof if nothing is on it?  I'll eventually have a carrier and a couple of SUP's up there, but there may be short trips when i won't.

 

Thanks!!

[buckland]

I have searched (2015) all over and can't find it but I can send you a PDF file via your email. So send me a message with your email and I will send it along to you... it is 3 years old but it works.

* I just went to a metal shop and asked them to cut me 2 pieces from: 1" stock and the other from 2" stock....real cheap then I drilled my own holes... aluminum is soft and if you go slow it is easy.

* The byutle (spelling?) tape is 1/8" thick... great stuff but it is best to stretch it out so it is thinner... once sealed no water will ever get through.

* I am going for the 40 pound soon... right now I have the 30 pound and they are fine when lowering...I have  yakima bars and a solar panel and sand mats up there. I don not know what it would be like to pull down without anything there but if you don't have solar now you probably will ... or a rack.... 30's work for me. But I also keep the crank speaker stand handy either way as my wife, should she need to, would have a bit o trouble without it.

Edited by buckland, 08 September 2018 - 12:37 PM.

[john cotterman]

If you ever have difficulty lowering the roof with 40 pounders, just close the door and windows, turn the fan on high exhaust, and the suction will practically lower the roof for you.

[spiegelbergt]

Hey all, thought I would update this thread. I have a 2014 Fleet and needed 40" 30 lb struts for my camper. I ordered from Gemini Gas Springs in BC. They were great to work with and knew exactly what I needed. Here's photos and the doc of my receipt for pricing. 

 

 20181022 Taylor Spiegelberg 2026151.pdf   35.23K   421 downloads

 

Edited by spiegelbergt, 30 October 2018 - 12:54 AM.

[wm87]

For those who have order struts from Gemini, can you also order the mounting pieces that attaches into the camper frame from them (ball studs?)? I have a swift shell that does not currently have any struts. 

Edited by wm87, 09 March 2019 - 12:55 AM.

[Central Toast]

Hi all- I put Suspa springs on my Hawk two years ago. The shafts are so rusted that they barely work now. Has anyone else experienced this? If not then I’m wondering if the Amazon vendor sent me knock-offs. I haven’t seen any of the factory-installed lifts rust out like this.

The offset brackets I used have not rusted at all, on the other hand. I used the stainless s316 brackets from liftsupportdepot.com.

Edited by Central Toast, 13 March 2019 - 09:07 PM.

[Central Toast]

Buyer beware on Amazon: what are sold as C16-15952 struts, which is a Suspa part number, by a vendor called DXZ Wholesale, which also uses Suspa's catalog photo on Amazon, are not actually Suspa struts. They are cheap knock-offs. I noticed on FWC factory-installed Suspa struts that the shafts were black and the info is printed straight onto the strut. The crappy ones I got from the Amazon vendor had chromed shafts and the info was on stickers on the strut instead of painted on. As I said in my prior post, they rusted and failed in short order.  I recently replaced them with the real thing direct from Suspa for only a few dollars more. They are obviously better quality. Suspa also confirmed that they have had problems with Amazon vendors selling knock-offs. Lesson learned. 

 

[buckland]

For those who might find help from my install a few years ago... Eagle (or Fleet) 40" struts. Here is the PDF link.... post #52

http://www.wanderthe...s-struts/page-6

 

Also the link too the page POST # 27..... Gemini struts much cheaper. I installed them on mine and they work fine.

http://www.wanderthe...rut-info/page-3

Edited by buckland, 22 May 2019 - 12:24 PM.