Community Forums

PapaBobby · 08-18-2013, 01:02 AM

Does anyone have any information regarding possible replacement of the left rear compartment door struts to allow additional opening clearance? I have knee issues and don't want to keep kneeing down every time I go those compartments. Right now I'm using knee pads, but that gets old after a while.

94-Newmar · 08-18-2013, 04:19 AM

I assume your doors hinge from the top? If so, and they are not in the way of a slide out, and the type of hinges they used will allow a deflection of greater than 90 degrees then yes, you can most likely change the struts. There usually is a number listed on the cylinder showing it's weight and travel - if not then just a model number. Honestly though, call Tiffin they will have all the info you need - they're fabulous to deal with.

Route 66 · 08-18-2013, 04:29 AM

Is there a reason they were built with limited opening?

Heater, water heater, etc. exhaust?

**CLIFFTALL** · 08-18-2013, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66

Is there a reason they were built with limited opening?

Heater, water heater, etc. exhaust?

Good point. My outdoor tv compartment door only opened to a horizontal position as my furnace is directly above it. My dealer changed the struts but I had to promise that I wouldn't be watching TV outside while the furnace was on

.

Capn_Dave · 08-18-2013, 05:16 AM

The doors below the slide outs and limited so the slide out will not hit them.

bruceisla · 08-18-2013, 05:18 AM

Mine (1997 Endeavor) have been modified by moving the mounting plate closer to the hinge (aluminum inner skin on hatch) ... just move it a small amount ... doesn't take much to effect a larger arc. The hatches near the slide have sash chains with S-hooks to limit travel ... unhook for bigger arc.

UK Gordo · 08-18-2013, 01:02 PM

I too am disabled and both my wife and I had difficulty under the bin doors but then we found that tiffin have special 2 stage struts that directly replace the originals.

On normal opening they come up to the same level as your current ones but if your slide is not in the way, a little tug on the door and they extend all the way up... I replaced them all while we were at red bay...what a difference it has made for us!...of course we have to look before opening a slide if either of us has been outside... in and out of the basement so that we dont scratch anything but no problem so far....now I'm working on mounting some kind of alarm sensors or interlock to prevent any slide from touching a door.

PapaBobby · 08-18-2013, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UK Gordo

I too am disabled and both my wife and I had difficulty under the bin doors but then we found that tiffin have special 2 stage struts that directly replace the originals.

On normal opening they come up to the same level as your current ones but if your slide is not in the way, a little tug on the door and they extend all the way up... I replaced them all while we were at red bay...what a difference it has made for us!...of course we have to look before opening a slide if either of us has been outside... in and out of the basement so that we dont scratch anything but no problem so far....now I'm working on mounting some kind of alarm sensors or interlock to prevent any slide from touching a door.

Thank for that info. Sounds like what exactly I need. I'll call Tiffin tomorrow.

PapaBobby · 08-20-2013, 11:05 PM

UK Gordo,

Thanks for the info regarding the dual stage compartment door struts. I called Tiffin and ordered three of them today. Terry, the parts guy I spoke with, was able to locate them and placed the order for me. I even got an email later in the day telling me the struts had been shipped. When I spoke with him they had 50 in stock. If anyone else is interested, give Terry, in parts, a call.

94-Newmar · 08-21-2013, 03:47 PM

Tiffin customer service is phenomenal, glad it worked out :-)

UK Gordo · 08-22-2013, 09:42 AM

Glad to be of help, I noticed you said you ordered 3....most bin doors that I have seen have 2 struts on each one and if that is what yours have then 3 will only let you replace for 1door as you can not have 1 long and 1 short on a door.

I hope you meant to say 3 pairs not 3 singles....hope it all works as well for you as mine did.

PapaBobby · 08-22-2013, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UK Gordo

Glad to be of help, I noticed you said you ordered 3....most bin doors that I have seen have 2 struts on each one and if that is what yours have then 3 will only let you replace for 1door as you can not have 1 long and 1 short on a door.

I hope you meant to say 3 pairs not 3 singles....hope it all works as well for you as mine did.

Actually, it was 3 singles. The water / electric door has 2 and the rear most compartment on the passenger side has one. The sewer door already lifts up out of the way. Thank you for your concern. It made me think...

PapaBobby · 08-24-2013, 10:05 PM

The postal service delivered the struts today. My plan is to put them on tomorrow before I take it back to storage.

PapaBobby · 08-25-2013, 10:22 PM

I installed the new struts today. What a difference! The extra height of the door openings means I don't have to get on my knees to hook up the water and shore power ( as long as I do it before I open the slides). UK Gorgo, thank you for the info on the struts,