FIXED: Bed Lift too weak after 4" Gel Mattress topper add

[hbillsmith]

RECOMMENDED:Click here for pair Suspa 20" 120# Gas Props $25 shipped free Amazon

BACKGROUND:Traded the TT for a new 2016 FR Wildcat. The mattress was super nice with a cushion top BUT.. we missed the 4" Gel topper we had in the TT. The topper came from Sam's club for $99 and even with a new cushion top mattress, when we added the 4" Gel top...ahhhh..sleep was wonderful BUT...the bed was now so heavy that the gas shocks couldn't lift it and it took 2 of us to put in or take things out from the underbed storage.

SOLUTION: FR uses 80# gas pressure shocks and it turns out that replacing those with a higher pressure shock could be done without having to replace the ball-type brackets. We found the best deal on these 120# replacement shocks and now the wife can lift the bed up (and it stays up) with one hand.

We considered 150# shocks but read somewhere that they might be too hard to close so we went with the 120#. Also, I was concerned that the existing brackets might be over taxed so during the installation, I loosened the brackets and applied Gorilla Super Gel (sparingly is enough) and then retightened. Let it dry and with a simple click-release-swap we pulled off the 80# and put the 120#ers in their same place. Its been 3 months and about 35 camping days since the swap out and I'm glad to report this change was a huge success.

[joshuajim]

cpaulsen wrote:
I just moved the top socket a couple of inches and everything worked just great! Cannot remember if it was out or in.

Out would give mor leverage (lift), but shorten the height when open.

[Gjac]

I had the same problem when my wife added the memory foam topper. I moved the bottom bracket about an 1.5 ins fwd and reinforced the attach points. I works good now. Also made a wood I beam under the partial board base to correct the mattress sagging. I thought it was the mattress at first before I noticed the board was bowed.

[tvman44]

Same problem here, replaced the mattress and added a topper & was afraid to put heavier shocks so I keep a stick and raise the bed with 2 hands & get wife to place a precut rod to hold it up. May have to look into your answer.

[BobsYourUncle]

Nice work!
I have exactly the same problem in my TT. I have to pull hard and shoulder it to get it up there and then hold it open. I replaced the mattress and bought a heavy topper too.
I considered heavier cylinders but was concerned about the existing wood framework giving out.
I'll try what you outlined here.
Thanks for sharing.

[cpaulsen]

I just moved the top socket a couple of inches and everything worked just great! Cannot remember if it was out or in.

[samsontdog]

hbillsmith wrote:
RECOMMENDED:Click here for pair Suspa 20" 120# Gas Props $25 shipped free Amazon

BACKGROUND:Traded the TT for a new 2016 FR Wildcat. The mattress was super nice with a cushion top BUT.. we missed the 4" Gel topper we had in the TT. The topper came from Sam's club for $99 and even with a new cushion top mattress, when we added the 4" Gel top...ahhhh..sleep was wonderful BUT...the bed was now so heavy that the gas shocks couldn't lift it and it took 2 of us to put in or take things out from the underbed storage.

SOLUTION: FR uses 80# gas pressure shocks and it turns out that replacing those with a higher pressure shock could be done without having to replace the ball-type brackets. We found the best deal on these 120# replacement shocks and now the wife can lift the bed up (and it stays up) with one hand.

We considered 150# shocks but read somewhere that they might be too hard to close so we went with the 120#. Also, I was concerned that the existing brackets might be over taxed so during the installation, I loosened the brackets and applied Gorilla Super Gel (sparingly is enough) and then retightened. Let it dry and with a simple click-release-swap we pulled off the 80# and put the 120#ers in their same place. Its been 3 months and about 35 camping days since the swap out and I'm glad to report this change was a huge success.

Thanks for the info as I need for my TT

[Tango__AE7UI]

I had to replace mine after adding an additional mattress to make it easier for my wife (limited mobility) to get out of bed.

[MrWizard]

nicely done :C