Gas Struts- Inside vs Outside mounting

[CoastalDefender]

I am at the point in my build where I am ready to install gas struts for the lid.

My lid is made of steel, and weighs in at about 150lbs. I am adding a bit of structure to the lid after a bit, and an RTT later this winter. I estimate I will have close to 300# into that lid before all is said and done.

So I plan on getting two 150# struts... But where to install them?

Inside *might* affect loading, but outside will definitely be more susceptible to the elements and *might* affect anything I install on the outside.

Decisions, decisions.

Where did you install yours? Why? and do you wish you had done it different?

 

[bmonday]

I have been pondering this as well. My inclination was to mount them inside, to protect them from dirt/dust/weather/impacts (not to mention they don't look very sexy), but AT mounts theirs externally, and they don't do *anything* without a good reason.

Interested in the responses here.

BMonday

 

[eleblanc]

With such a heavy lid the strut will need to be vertical has possible, unfortunately for the lid to open 70 deg the strut won't probably be long enough.

I have a lid that weight also near 130-140 and i needed 4x 275# strut to make the thing open up with the RTT on it.

http://www.ericleblanc.com/gallery/...DownloadItem&g2_itemId=5403&g2_serialNumber=2

Picture of the built here.

http://www.ericleblanc.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=5033&g2_page=2

I then designed a aluminium lid, and only one 275# was enough to lift it without a RTT and a second strut with the RTT

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22988


Now inside or outside, that probably would depend if you have a tail gate or drawers.

I am at the point in my build where I am ready to install gas struts for the lid.

My lid is made of steel, and weighs in at about 150lbs. I am adding a bit of structure to the lid after a bit, and an RTT later this winter. I estimate I will have close to 300# into that lid before all is said and done.

So I plan on getting two 150# struts... But where to install them?

Inside *might* affect loading, but outside will definitely be more susceptible to the elements and *might* affect anything I install on the outside.

Decisions, decisions.

Where did you install yours? Why? and do you wish you had done it different?

 

[Airborne Lee]

My lid weighs about 100 lbs and I used two 100psi gas prop's and they ARE NOT ENOUGH. It WILL hold the lid open once you pop a blood vessel to get it there. I placed mine on the inside the spacing is 7" from the hinge 4" down on the inside of the bucket. The top of the stut mounts 19" from the hinge on inside of the 1x1 frame. This compresses them fully when the lid is closed.

I am goinging to try to swap them for 150psi's.

they are 18" extended length.

 

[CoastalDefender]

Maybe I'll get two 250# ones. :Wow1:

 

[Martyn]

Inside has some issues. The struts can be blocked by things you have packed in the trailer, to avoid this you have to build protection around them, ad this reduces storage capacity.

Outside they are exposed to the elements, but they are very hardy and few fail because of dirt. You can also buy sleeves to protect the shafts.