Chances are, if your RV is newer than the late 1990s, you have gas springs somewhere. They look like miniature shock absorbers and are used to hold open doors, provide lift assistance to covers, etc. Chances are your gas springs were made by Suspa. I was recently on their website looking for the right product, and I came across their brochure on the proper way to install their gas springs, which is "Rod End Down." This allows the oil inside the cylinder (the big end) to collect at the bottom and lubricate the rod. If the gas spring is installed with the "Rod End Up", there is no way to keep the rod lubricated, which results in shortened life. Most of them that I have seen are installed the wrong way.
The Suspa Instruction Sheet is Here.
