Forum Discussion

KristinU's avatar
KristinU
Explorer
May 05, 2014

Entry Door Strut - anyone add one?

Has anyone added a gas strut on their entry door?

Our door needs to be stopped at 90 degrees because of the awning right next to it…which I already proved as a necessity by having the wind whip it and bash a nice hole in the fiberglass on the door when the awning wasn’t out – it hit the little foot bracket part on the bottom of the awning arm. Additionally, we have a “stay open” bar thing that is simply two eye type hooks screwed to the exterior wall and the door into which this little bar gets hooked into to keep the door open. Problem is that both DH and I have forgotten that it is not a gas strut and yanked on it too hard, and now a friend has done the same thing but had more brute strength and took care of one of the eye hooks once and for all. So it is time to find an alternative.

Gas struts make me a little nervous because you have to be sure they’re the right size. We are pretty confident with lots of DIY stuff at home and on the RV, but the struts are making me consider making an appointment at an RV shop. Anyone have any experience or words of wisdom? Or any other solution that we should consider?

Since ours is a previous rental, I'm not sure what would have some stock on a Winnebago Access 31C in 2008 - anyone know?

Many thanks!
Class C
  • ron_dittmer's avatar
    ron_dittmer
    Explorer II
    May 05, 2014
    Hi Kristin,

    Later Phoenix Cruisers are getting the gas strut door limiter, but our older 2007 Phoenix Cruiser had the same condition of which I came up with this for a solution.

    This limits the swing of the entry door. Like you say, on a strong windy day, the door can easily get ripped out of your hand, swing 180 degrees around, and crash into the side of the RV. As with your awning poles, ours are attached to the side of the RV. This prevents the door from hitting that awning pole as well. This rope limiter is engaged and disengaged in seconds with the door open or closed, is not visible when not needed, and is self storing. It also never gets in the way when entering or exiting the RV. The rope stretches a little which offers a very nice "soft stop" feel. Flange weld nuts are perfect to hook the rope on.

    I use a bungee cord to hold the door open when we want to, attaching either to the awning pole or the passenger mirror. I actually have a second rope for when I want to offer a more wider fixed open position. That second rope doubles as an inside clothesline. I have a few extra flange weld nuts mounted inside by the door to hang the ropes and bungee cords for convenient access.

    It's not what you are asking about. Just offering another approach.

    Cost Of Project $5


    Flanged Weld Nuts work great for hooking the rope on and off from.
  • RvBill3's avatar
    RvBill3
    Explorer
    May 06, 2014
    Our Sunseeker came with a gas strut installed for exactly the reasons you stated. Can't tell you much about it except it works. Mounts just above the door (actually on the frame of the door) and to the top of the door itself.
  • Mich_F's avatar
    Mich_F
    Explorer
    May 06, 2014
    My MH doesn't have one, but I saw a newer identical unit which had one - I want one of these.
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    try one of the Winnebago online catalogs, or call them, they probably can help you out.

    Not sure why two pictures showed up, but I'm not messing with the post. :B
  • KristinU's avatar
    KristinU
    Explorer
    May 06, 2014
    Thanks everyone!

    I think we'll try your approach Ron! (I'm kind of saying "duh" to ourselves - what a cheap and easy solution!)

    Oddly enough, we had a gas strut on our TT and removed it because the door didn't need to be stopped at 90 degrees for any reason since there was nothing to bonk into to the right of the door. And we used a little bungee cord when we wanted to keep it open :)

    Thanks again!

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