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Laredo1's avatar
Laredo1
Explorer
Sep 06, 2013

outdoor kitchen door gas support lifts

We have a 2010 Laredo 303 TG with the tailgater outdoor kitchen. Help! Three times the gas support lifts have PULLED OUT OF THE COACH.
We have no children travelling with us or anyone else opening or closing this lift up door. We love this outdoor kitchen and need to find a GOOD fix for this problem. Keystone says "repair and re-position", but do not tell us how to do it. We have tried drilling out the holes minutely and re-installing the hydraulic lifts only to have them pull out again. It is an 80 lb. gas spring lift which is what they still use. A smaller 60lb will not hold up this door so 80lb must be the correct size. But how do we mount them????

Thanks for all and any help you can give.

6 Replies

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  • BBuchorn's avatar
    BBuchorn
    Explorer
    Sep 07, 2013
    I would not drill out the frame member any more than needed. I would through bolt the brackets with good stainless carriage bolts. I am assuming that you are screwing into an aluminum frame member next to the opening. Make sure to caulk up your repairs to prevent water incursion. Gas shocks really stress the attachment points. go as strong as possible. Maybe even use epoxy putty under the brackets when you bolt them down for an extra measure to help stabilize them.
    Good Luck and Great Camping!!
    BB
  • SailingOn's avatar
    SailingOn
    Explorer
    Sep 07, 2013
    Canyon-Cruiser wrote:
    I would recommend drilling the screw holes out to at least twice the size of the mounting screws (if not already done) then fill with epoxy. Once the epoxy cures to a semi-hard state, screw in your mounting hardware but don't put weight or stress on it yet. Allow the epoxy to cure with the screws in it for a few hours at least (overnight if possible) before using or applying weight to it. The cure time on epoxy is fairly quick so have everything handy and ready.

    I've used this method before with great results.

    Epoxy putty is the key, but I'd fill the holes with epoxy putty, let it cure completely, then drill new pilot holes, seal the pilot holes with caulk and remount with new screws.
  • WoodGlue's avatar
    WoodGlue
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2013
    pwrplay wrote:
    I just had the dealer repair my kitchen door by using Stainless Steel machine screws and bolted them right through the door panel. It looks pretty good and should never pop out or shear like mine did.

    X2

    WoodGlue
  • pwrplay's avatar
    pwrplay
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2013
    I just had the dealer repair my kitchen door by using Stainless Steel machine screws and bolted them right through the door panel. It looks pretty good and should never pop out or shear like mine did.
  • Canyon-Cruiser's avatar
    Canyon-Cruiser
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2013
    I would recommend drilling the screw holes out to at least twice the size of the mounting screws (if not already done) then fill with epoxy. Once the epoxy cures to a semi-hard state, screw in your mounting hardware but don't put weight or stress on it yet. Allow the epoxy to cure with the screws in it for a few hours at least (overnight if possible) before using or applying weight to it. The cure time on epoxy is fairly quick so have everything handy and ready.

    I've used this method before with great results.
  • Ka_Ron's avatar
    Ka_Ron
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2013
    Can you use plugs to keep the screws from stripping and enlarging the holes so they pull out.

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