Bed lift struts

[Montana_Bill]

My wife and I just bought a 2013 Chalet Arrowhead. The previous owner put in a thick, heavy, pillow-top mattress and as a result the 80 lb gas struts couldn't lift or hold it to access underbed storage. I've replaced them with 100 lb struts and that helps, but my wife still struggles to lift it. The next step up appears to be 120 lb struts, and I'm afraid that may be overkill, since two of them would be 40 lb additional lift. So I'm wondering, can I replace only one side with a 120 lb strut, or does the imbalance create a problem? I've also thought about adding a light 20 lb "helper" strut in the center section (underbed bracing would allow this). But I've never heard of anyone doing this, and wonder if there's a reason. Thoughts?

[Montana_Bill]

Thanks for the input. I went with the 120 lb struts, and seems to work OK. About to post another newbie question, on the refrigerator

[DSDP_Don]

The problem with using too strong of a lift is that it can tear up the frame where they're mounted.

I welded up a cross bar and mounted the pistons to the bar.

[Terryallan]

Montana Bill wrote:
My wife and I just bought a 2013 Chalet Arrowhead. The previous owner put in a thick, heavy, pillow-top mattress and as a result the 80 lb gas struts couldn't lift or hold it to access underbed storage. I've replaced them with 100 lb struts and that helps, but my wife still struggles to lift it. The next step up appears to be 120 lb struts, and I'm afraid that may be overkill, since two of them would be 40 lb additional lift. So I'm wondering, can I replace only one side with a 120 lb strut, or does the imbalance create a problem? I've also thought about adding a light 20 lb "helper" strut in the center section (underbed bracing would allow this). But I've never heard of anyone doing this, and wonder if there's a reason. Thoughts?

do the 120. If it is a struggle at 100. 120 should be just fine. And in truth. A 120 on one side, and 100 on the other will work, but one side will hang lower.

[old_guy]

what I did to mine when we put a large mattress on was I bought a folding table leg and installed it under the bed, with the weak struts I folding down the leg and locked it in and I also installed a rv porch lite so I could see better in the boxes I had under there used for storage. I would have food in one box, hunting gear in another and ect.

[WNYBob]

Why not put in drawer in, no lifting, unless something gets stuck.