Community Forums

rgand · 12-10-2015, 04:32 PM

We recently picked up a 2003 Dolphin. One of the gas struts on a cargo door under one of the slides came off. Come to find out it was a 20" strut restricted to 16" with a cable. I checked all the doors under the slides and they're all like that. In fact, 20" struts are on all the doors, under the slides or not but the under slide doors have a cable to limit the upward travel. So my main question is, are these factory struts or did someone change them at some time and make up the limiting cables?

I found some 17" struts that I'll shorten to 16" but it looks like I have to do all of the under-slide ones. I won't need the limiting cables after that although I'll leave them on since they're there already.

DKStall · 12-10-2015, 05:37 PM

rgand

I just replaced all of the gas springs on my Tradewinds' compartments.
The full-size doors with 20-inch gas spring replacements and the smaller under slide doors with 15-inch 40# gas springs. All but one of the gas springs under the slide were missing except one and it was a non-functional 15-inch. The new 15-inch springs work perfect and the door stops before getting in the way of the slide without any cable or stop other than the gas spring.

I also got a great price on all the gas springs from RVUpgrades.com

Now I've just ordered another gas spring and the mounting parts to restore the one missing from the entrance door.

legryz · 12-10-2015, 06:33 PM

On my previous 2002 Dolphin 5355 the struts on the slide compartment doors had the same wire cables to limit travel, so I would say that's the way they came from National. Why I don't know.

kennersonf · 12-10-2015, 06:34 PM

The limiting cables came from National. If the slides are in you can undo the cables to get easier access to the cargo area if needed. Just remember to put them back on.

rgand · 12-10-2015, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennersonf

The limiting cables came from National. If the slides are in you can undo the cables to get easier access to the cargo area if needed. Just remember to put them back on.

That's an interesting idea. I'll have to go try that. Thanks for the heads-up.

speed racer · 12-11-2015, 06:24 AM

On my 05 Dolphin the struts under the slides stop at half way up and if the slides are in you can pull up on them and they will go the rest of the way up.

TC Wndsr · 12-11-2015, 06:41 AM

There are no cables on our 02 Breeze.

2002 National Sea Breeze LX 8341

mrk · 12-11-2015, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKStall

rgand

I just replaced all of the gas springs on my Tradewinds' compartments.
The full-size doors with 20-inch gas spring replacements and the smaller under slide doors with 15-inch 40# gas springs. All but one of the gas springs under the slide were missing except one and it was a non-functional 15-inch. The new 15-inch springs work perfect and the door stops before getting in the way of the slide without any cable or stop other than the gas spring.

I also got a great price on all the gas springs from RVUpgrades.com

Now I've just ordered another gas spring and the mounting parts to restore the one missing from the entrance door.

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but my '99 Tradewinds 7371 is missing the strut from the entry door. I did notice a ball under the door for a connection, but nothing else. Is this strut a standard strut like what holds the bay doors open, or something for "severe duty"? What size is it?

Dale

rgand · 12-11-2015, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speed racer

On my 05 Dolphin the struts under the slides stop at half way up and if the slides are in you can pull up on them and they will go the rest of the way up.

Now this is the way it should be. What kind of struts are those? I'd like to change over to them.

rgand · 12-11-2015, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrk

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but my '99 Tradewinds 7371 is missing the strut from the entry door. I did notice a ball under the door for a connection, but nothing else. Is this strut a standard strut like what holds the bay doors open, or something for "severe duty"? What size is it?

Dale

I haven't seen a strut on an entry door before. Everything we've had has a clip on the outside of the door to hold it all the way open against the coach. No strut, though. Maybe someone else will know the story.