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Subject Topic: FC Gas Struts Post Reply Post New Topic
Personswaggy
30/6/2014 at 9:32pm
 Location: Reading. Berkshire
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I have a 1999 Pathfinder with fold over beds. I'm getting on a bit now and was wondering if anyone has retrofitted gas struts to a FC to make opening easier. Should be possible if there are no other changes.   





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Phil

Blood, Sweat and Beers.

The more I learn the more I know, the more I know the more I forget, the more I forget the less I know


Booked so far:
June:   Charity Farm
July:   Gullivers MK
August: Tregurrian, Cornwall
Sept:   New Forest


PersonGran Green
07/7/2014 at 11:11pm
 Location: North Aberdeenshire
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http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=10&TopicID=241057&PagePosition=1&ThreadPage=2&ReturnPage=Search&search=&searchIn=

You will find some good info on here.
Maureen


Personswaggy
08/7/2014 at 10:05am
 Location: Reading. Berkshire
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Thanks Maureen for the link. Unfortunately the pictures have been removed so I'm really still none the wiser.

If anyone has a Pathfinder with gas struts fitted and could take a few pictures for me I would very much appreciate it.

Also has any one got an idea where the correct gas struts can be purchased? I don't know the size or force rating so really in the dark.

Post last edited on 08/07/2014 10:45:16

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Phil

Blood, Sweat and Beers.

The more I learn the more I know, the more I know the more I forget, the more I forget the less I know


Booked so far:
June:   Charity Farm
July:   Gullivers MK
August: Tregurrian, Cornwall
Sept:   New Forest


PersonKelper
08/7/2014 at 3:44pm
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You could get in touch with Gobur, they sell struts ... and fit.
Presume you've tried Pennine?


Persontedthebear
08/7/2014 at 4:21pm
 Location: Plymouth Devon
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http://www.sgs-engineering.com/

Gas struts available here


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Personswaggy
09/7/2014 at 1:06pm
 Location: Reading. Berkshire
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Thanks for all the suggestions.   

I am progressing with this project, albeit slowly, and have now got pictures and measurements of a Q6 I found locally with gas struts. There are some differences in the design of the bed mountings between the Q6 and Pathfinder so the strut itself and strut mountings will have to be different to Pennine's standard one. I need to do some corresponding measurements on the Pathfinder and it looks like it will be cheaper to have a custom strut made than buy the standard one.

For the record, the force required to be generated by the gas strut for the kingsize bed is 780 Newtons, and the one for the double bed 595 Newtons.

Looks like thats my winter project sorted.





Post last edited on 09/07/2014 21:13:53

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Phil

Blood, Sweat and Beers.

The more I learn the more I know, the more I know the more I forget, the more I forget the less I know


Booked so far:
June:   Charity Farm
July:   Gullivers MK
August: Tregurrian, Cornwall
Sept:   New Forest


Personnavver
09/7/2014 at 7:51pm
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I have them on my dandy. One issue is that when the bed is opened the strut is in compression and can lift the bed. I have a turnbuckle to hold the bed down.


Personswaggy
09/7/2014 at 9:22pm
 Location: Reading. Berkshire
 Outfit: Terrano 2 + 2004 Avondale Dart 556-6 View swaggy's Profile View Profile   Reply to swaggy Reply   Quote swaggy Quote  
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I had considered that possibility. On the Pathfinder, the bed supports fit into a channel on the chassis. They are already fitted with a short strap to secure the support into the channel so that they can be strapped down. That should stop them lifting when open.

However I may have a lifting problem when the beds are closed since the struts are likely to be compressed. It may well depend on the mount position. I can always fit some short lock down straps to hold the beds closed.

Did you fit the struts to your Dandy or were they original equipment?


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Phil

Blood, Sweat and Beers.

The more I learn the more I know, the more I know the more I forget, the more I forget the less I know


Booked so far:
June:   Charity Farm
July:   Gullivers MK
August: Tregurrian, Cornwall
Sept:   New Forest


Personswaggy
10/7/2014 at 9:03am
 Location: Reading. Berkshire
 Outfit: Terrano 2 + 2004 Avondale Dart 556-6 View swaggy's Profile View Profile   Reply to swaggy Reply   Quote swaggy Quote  
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As can be seen from the pictures below, the Pathfinder bed mounting has evolved over the years. Mine is the 1999 version.

Does anybody know whether or not gas assist struts have ever been fitted to the beds as per the 1999 picture.

If yes, then a picture or two would help my design,if no then I guess mine will be a first.

Thanks for any help given.



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[/IMG]




Post last edited on 10/07/2014 09:11:34

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Phil

Blood, Sweat and Beers.

The more I learn the more I know, the more I know the more I forget, the more I forget the less I know


Booked so far:
June:   Charity Farm
July:   Gullivers MK
August: Tregurrian, Cornwall
Sept:   New Forest


PersonGran Green
10/7/2014 at 9:22pm
 Location: North Aberdeenshire
 Outfit: Talbot Express Rambler & Pennine Fiest View Gran Green's Profile View Profile   Reply to Gran Green Reply   Quote Gran Green Quote  
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Hi again. I found the pictures with written explanation (I'm a bit of a hoarder!) It is a bit too big to put on here. I tried to link to my Dropbox folder but no joy :-(
These might work! They were uploaded a while ago by some members on here but I can't remember who but they are really well written.
     
https://db.tt/QKPJufxC

https://db.tt/IGv3yRTQ

https://db.tt/b7hgxIQM




Post last edited on 10/07/2014 21:46:45


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Personswaggy
11/7/2014 at 7:30am
 Location: Reading. Berkshire
 Outfit: Terrano 2 + 2004 Avondale Dart 556-6 View swaggy's Profile View Profile   Reply to swaggy Reply   Quote swaggy Quote  
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Wow - thank you so much Gran Green. Fantastic information. The collective wisdom on this forum is amazing.

I had already worked through most of the technical issues which pretty much follows your notes but some of the details you have I didn't even think of such as the wood hardener and threaded inserts.

Looking at the pictures, I see that the Pennine strut and mounts were used. I have already priced these and intend to use the mounts. But I may not be able to use the Pennine strut because if you look at the 1999 picture above I don't have the gap between the folded bed board and the top of the camper so the bed is effectively 4 inches lower when folded, so I may need a shorter strut and I have been speaking to SGS on this. I also have to work out exactly where to drill the mounting holes.

I know this is certainly do-able but realistically we are looking at £60 a corner. So the question now is : Is it worth doing?



Post last edited on 11/07/2014 07:37:11

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Phil

Blood, Sweat and Beers.

The more I learn the more I know, the more I know the more I forget, the more I forget the less I know


Booked so far:
June:   Charity Farm
July:   Gullivers MK
August: Tregurrian, Cornwall
Sept:   New Forest


Personswaggy
16/7/2014 at 2:01pm
 Location: Reading. Berkshire
 Outfit: Terrano 2 + 2004 Avondale Dart 556-6 View swaggy's Profile View Profile   Reply to swaggy Reply   Quote swaggy Quote  
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In order to complete my geometry calculations, I need some data on the gas strut fitted to the foldover beds on later pathfinders. If anyone could provide me with a measurement of the body diameter, the piston shaft diameter and the length of the strut (from mounting point to mounting point) when the bed it in the open position I would be very grateful.

Can anyone help as it seems Pennine do not have a data sheet for the strut and are reluctant to give me the information.

-------------
Phil

Blood, Sweat and Beers.

The more I learn the more I know, the more I know the more I forget, the more I forget the less I know


Booked so far:
June:   Charity Farm
July:   Gullivers MK
August: Tregurrian, Cornwall
Sept:   New Forest



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