Basement door openers

[mlafarge]

Has anyone put new shocks on their swing up basement doors??
I have a 99 Holiday Rambler Endeavor and like most of the coaches that have these types of doors they never seem to open high enough. I am just wondering if anyone has tried putting on longer shocks so the doors could open higher or wider, I have taken the shocks lose on my coach and the doors go up almost flat along side of the body..
The shocks on my coach are 20", I don't know if they make something a little longer with about the same lift or not, it looks like I could go about 24" just eye balling it.
I am just curious if anyone has tried this.. Thanks Mike

[beejay25]

Mike I have same year Endeavor and I found something that worked for me. On the bracket on the frame, move it up by putting the bottom hole of the bracket in the top hole on the frame and drill a new top hole. I hope you can figure out what I mean! No need to buy anything.
Bill

[Robi.1014]

Key here Mike is that physics (or is it geometry?) is in play here. The shock must be able to collapse completely when the door is closed. Sounds crazy, but crawling inside the storage bay and closing the door (need a trustworthy person outside!!) will give you some indication if longer shocks might give you a bit more of an opening angle. Take a flashlight with you!!

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robi.1014 Take a flashlight with you!!

That sounds like a game plan to me!

[mlafarge]

Thanks, that sounds like a great idea, I will give it a try.. Mike

[mlafarge]

Thanks.. Mike

[mlafarge]

beejay 25
On the doors, I tried moving the bottom brackets like you suggested and it helped a lot, but then just for the nuts of it I moved the brackets on the doors towards the hinge by the same,(bottom screw into the top hole) and that also helped, together it really got the doors up out of the way. Thanks for sharing, what a great Idea. MIke