Community Forums

jerry davis · 05-11-2008, 06:16 PM

Anyone know where to find replacement struts for the basement storage bay doors. My struts are brand name "Columbia Struts" Cannot find the company or a supplier on the internet.

jerry davis · 05-11-2008, 06:16 PM

Anyone know where to find replacement struts for the basement storage bay doors. My struts are brand name "Columbia Struts" Cannot find the company or a supplier on the internet.

Doug Hasert · 05-12-2008, 12:43 AM

You can buy them at Camping World or most any RV store. I think evrn JC Whitney.com has them. Doug

Algoma · 05-12-2008, 05:06 AM

Earlier Alpine were fitted with struts made by SPD. They have a large range so you should find a match here http://www.spdhardware.com/catalog/list.asp?id={FD677C0...C-9551-C52741324413}

Old Scout · 05-13-2008, 05:38 AM

I recently tried going the SPD route--they have an online site and the sales people were very helpful. Problem--they were expensive--some $40 a pop when shipping was included, vs less than $20 at Camping World. However, longest length I've seen on the shelf at CW was 20"--think the passenger side struts are 26-27". Also need to figure out the lbs of lift 30/40/60/etc--lift is not marked on the SPD struts. Have heard NAPA is a good source at a modest price---Good luck...

robtou · 05-13-2008, 07:01 AM

I've had some luck buying local at NAPA auto parts. Just take the old one in with you to match up

sherlar · 05-15-2008, 02:02 PM

The local NAPA store could not come up with a match for the SPD struts on my '98 Alpine coach. Did some Google searching and found liftsupportsdepot.com. Just finished placing my order at $17.50 ea.
Good luck

becks · 05-15-2008, 02:56 PM

Many have reported being able to get cargo door struts from Advance Auto Parts or Auto Zone, saying they can often match them up. May be worth a try.

Mr Coach · 04-29-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry davis

Anyone know where to find replacement struts for the basement storage bay doors. My struts are brand name "Columbia Struts" Cannot find the company or a supplier on the internet.

Hello Jerry

Check out Ebay as there is a seller with the name RV-Trader, he has the OEM Gas shocks "Columbia Struts" for ALL the Alpine coaches (and most every other make and model) the prices are very good 14.00 to 16.00

Mr. Coach
Still looking for a new ride!

two sailors · 04-30-2009, 09:17 AM

Speaking of basement doors, has anyone done anything to allow the driver side door to open farther so one can access stuff without crawling on hands and knees?
The Dolphin we had, had struts that stopped at 90deg. then again at a higher angle.

jerry davis · 04-30-2009, 05:44 PM

Sounds great until you mar up the doors on the slide outs. I installed SlimSliders (a brand of pull outs) which really helped.

dgerstel · 04-30-2009, 09:27 PM

two sailors,

On my 2002 coach, I moved the bottom strut bracket up to allow the doors under the slide to swing farther up, when the slide was in. I installed small clear vinyl bumpers on the doors to keep them from touching the slide when it was out. I did not make them with a stop at 90 deg although one could install a small chain with a hook on one end to accomplish that. As Jerry said, I did put the slide out once when one of the doors was up. It broke the latch handle and made the smallest mark on the bottom of the slide. I was very careful after that and never did it again. I did have slides on the pass side, there length, was to the drivers side frame rail. On a full slide, any storage beyond that is limited in height to pass under the frame rails. This would not allow me to make full use of the height in the compartments on the drivers side, also the doors on that side are too low for full access out that side. I am not sure if I left them like that when I sold the coach or put them back to stock. I would do it again if my coach was like that, but it does allow for the possibility of damage it one is not careful.

takepride · 04-30-2009, 11:18 PM

Newmars also have the strut that can be stopped at 90 degrees or allowed to open further. (As seen on a 2003 Scottsdale)

two sailors · 05-01-2009, 09:05 AM

Dale,

Thanks for the info. Do you remember how far up you moved the brackets?

I have to admit, one of the doors was left open on the Dolphin while the slide was opened. I was surprised the slide didn't tear the door off, but left a few scratches.

Brad