Keeping the lid open

[Dave]

Has anyone come up with an easy way of keeping your fridge lid open? The low ceiling height of my camper shell prevents the fridge from opening all the way and it can be a pain to get things in the fridge if you only have one hand free. I know BajaTaco has a magnet that holds his open, but I don't think that will work through the transit bag I have on mine.

I'm thinking a single gas strut. I looked at the struts at AutoZone today and I think it would work, just might take some trial and error.

 

[articulate]

Has anyone come up with an easy way of keeping your fridge lid open? The low ceiling height of my camper shell prevents the fridge from opening all the way and it can be a pain to get things in the fridge if you only have one hand free. I know BajaTaco has a magnet that holds his open, but I don't think that will work through the transit bag I have on mine.

I'm thinking a single gas strut. I looked at the struts at AutoZone today and I think it would work, just might take some trial and error.

You'll need a strut with some very low pressure. Many are stocked for large metal doors (like trunk lids) that have some weight and mass. I bought one for a swingout bumper and couldn't make it collapse under my own weight. But attached to a swingout, she glides nicely.

Just a little info.

How about an on-demand lid holder like, oh I don't know, a little kid or something? "Hey, you. Hold this open."

 

[kcowyo]

A fridge slide would be cheaper than a kid....

 

[Pskhaat]

A fridge slide would be cheaper than a kid....

Leave it to Mark to explore the most expensive solution possible, plus it's useful life as a lid holder is only what 16 years maybe?

 

[articulate]

I'm pretty certain I can get KC to hold my fridge open. He's alot older than 16.

If you want a super cheap method, Dave, and if your fridge actually hits the cab ceiling, how about a strip of velcro? What's that, like $0.75 or something? And it's a step up from an Expedition Chunk Of 2x4

 

[Pskhaat]

He's alot older than 16.

But you would have to share an inapportioned lot of that beer with him whilst to the child you can simply say `no, 'cause daddy says so.'

 

[spressomon]

How about a simple, cheap, vinyl coated spring clamp...clamped to the body of the fridge back near the hinge to keep the hinge in the open position...not elegant but it'll probably get the job done.

 

[bfoxg8r]

What about a spring type marine hatch holder?

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...e&storeNum=null&subdeptNum=null&classNum=null

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...Primary Search/mode matchallpartial/0/0?N=377

 

[Scott Brady]

Chris (BajaTaco) uses a cool magnet.

 

[Dave]

How about an on-demand lid holder like, oh I don't know, a little kid or something?

I thought about that, but I've seen how squirmy those things can be and I don't know how I could ever get one wedged between the top of the fridge and the opened lid with only one hand free.

Tried the Velcro and the sticky side did not seem to want to adhere to the transit bag. The 2x4 would probably work fine for me, but Natasha won't want to mess with that.

It's going to have to be seamless. Open the lid and it stays, pull down the lid and it shuts. I think the gas struts that are used to prop open the rear window on my camper shell will work fine. I think they're only rated for around 25 lbs a piece.

The problem I'm having is figuring out how to attach the end of the strut to the lid itself.

 

[KMR]

This was my solution, and it would help with the fact that the lid hits the roof as well: http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=98524&highlight=ArB+fridge+lid

Or since I love gas struts take a look here:
http://www.mcmaster.com/
Search "gas shocks"
First page has generic shocks, following pages have mount/other options.

you can get ones down to 10lbs and get flanges to affix the strut to the underside of the lid, or I would suggest mounting it to the flat surface on the outside.

 

[kcowyo]

I'm pretty certain I can get KC to hold my fridge open.

Gotta fridge, do ya'?

 

[articulate]

Sorry, Dave, but pardon me while I handle this guy....

Gotta fridge, do ya'?

Where's Waldo, and can you name the brand?

 

[kcowyo]

.......


Pavlov says, 'Heel!'

 

[Lynn]

a little kid or something?

Better yet, a teenager in that 'I'm-hugry-but-don't-know-what-I-want' mode. He'll hold it open for hours.