I appreciate all the input on mattress types. However, I'm also realizing that the weight of the mattress can be neutralized by adding a pair of gas struts to assist in lifting the mattress to access the space underneath.
But, I have no idea how to measure the struts I need, what size, what length, what strength. I have equally no idea how or where to mount them. I don't know if the struts need assistance from an electrical load, or if they work like the hatch of a mini-van. I don'y know where to buy struts, and I don't know what to ask for. I'm not even sure they're called struts.
Come to think of it, I don't know much at all.... so, any and all advice and experience is welcome.
Dave
It has been a while since I built mine but you have to think of the hight you want the bed when it is up. then just mount the bottom at the bottom of the bed stand near the top. and the other end on the bed frame at the closed distance of the ones you have. Jerry
Good luck on this one! I have built 2 strut assisted beds. The info for determining size and weight on the internet is too complicated for a non engineer to understand.
The first attempt was rough but usable. The second attempt was almost but not quite OK. The bed takes a real effort to start pushing down, then drops the last few inchs.
For the 2nd attempt I went to the Lift and Store bed website and copied what they had as best I could. I ordered what I needed online, maybe Ebay?
HTH JIm
I installed 2-100lb gas struts on my bed. Made it easier to lift, but still doesn't hold it in the opened position. Good Luck, TomC
I bought mine from http://stores.ebay.com/strut-your-stuff-here (http://stores.ebay.com/strut-your-stuff-here) they are a 120 lb strut. My bed is a king size made with 1/2" plywood, the mattress is a heavy hi tech foam. I guess the mattress is about 300lbs?
Columbia Struts CS2440-120 24.40 inch extended 10 inches stroke. 120 pounds force fully extended, force goes up 30 to 40 percent fully retracted . Snap on nylon composite 10 mm ball sockets to fit 10 mm ball. 8mm rod and 18 mm tube. Chrome or black our choice.
Tom's will not stay up, mine is hard to get started down. I suspect it is the improper placement of the struts that causes this? It is not bad enough to experiment with the placement of the struts.
JIm
Dave you can get them at CW with instructions.
We have a 12 volt lift. We just push a button for on and then push up or down. PO was Bus mechanic and made it out of an actuator with a wheel that rides a track under the plywood and an arm slides it along the track. As it slides it lifts the bed up within 1 inch of the ceiling.
Dave5Cs
Another view.
Dave5Cs
I love the electric one...that gets my brain motor running...then that stupid practical side of me kicks in and reminds me that I'm not that smart. :)
Thanks for the help and pictures.
It seems from the responses that this is a guessing game and only a few of you have actually gone in that end of the pool. I'll let you know if I succeed.
Thanks
Dave
I don't know what size struts you may need but I can tell you that the last time I was in Bontrager's they had many different lengths and weight struts. I don't remember the price but I don't think they were that expensive so if you had to experiment it could be done cheaply. They also had actuators for slide outs that could be used if you wanted to go that route.
I just had a brain flash. Couldn't you weigh the part of the bed that you want to hold up and use that as a starting point for the strut weight? I'm just guessing here so I don't really know if it would work. If someone had a large enough hanging scale like a produce or a fishing scale this may work. Just a thought.
Those electric ones can be found on E site as linear actuators. Just look for correct voltage, length of travel and torque. Some are quite reasonable.
Dave, try putting a foot scale between the bed frame and the plywood under the mattress, with all bed layers in place, if the scale readout is readable past your comforter, shouldnt that give you a ballpark weight? Lvmci...
We used linear actuators that can lift 200lbs each side. 12 volt, with limit switch and toggle up/down. we bought from an outfit www.firgelliauto.com (http://www.firgelliauto.com) some time ago, but they appear to still be in business.
swivel ends mounted on the mattress support board and on the floor. The pic shows struts, but deleted them after the actuators in. I don't remember the size, but I think around 18" for our size pedestal.
we store a bunch of stuff under their in those plastic suction bags that make blankets about an inch thick by 2ft sq. parkas really shrink, too.
Thanks to Cody (on the other bbs). These worked great for my queen size bed. Should work for a king too:
Jim, napa has a good lift for about 50 bucks each that you might like, the napa part number is #819-5539, from the hinge set the upper mount 33 inches and the lower mount 20.5, or adjust to suit yourself.
We have the electric lift in our Eagle. That is one of my favorite things. It makes using that area convenient. Installing it is really pretty easy. It will lift high enough that you can actually get into the whole area without hitting your head or wondering if it is going to come down on you. It is lifting the 3/4" plywood platform, queen posturepedic mattress, and a 3" 5lb memory foam pad.
Don and Cary
Plus all the bed clothes and 3 cats in our bus!.... ;D
This winter when the mouse got in it ate through the vacuum bags and they expanded. When I opened it up the things in the bags came rolling out and up.
Dave5Cs
Dave might try these guys. they have kits with instructions on line.
Dave5Cs
www.hatchlift.com (http://www.hatchlift.com)
http://www.hatchlift.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=17 (http://www.hatchlift.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=17)
I'm actually doing this at the moment. I did go to Bontragers and they sell assorted lift struts for $15 each. They are not labeled so I was guessing on the lb rating. I successfully installed mine after some fiddling around with placement. I wouldn't say it's a science or engineering feat, but it does take a fair amount of experimentation to get it just right. Even still, my install isn't perfect and I have to lift our bed a few inches before the struts assist me. My personal opinion after spending a day messing around with the gas struts is that an electric lift would be superior. That being said, what you have to do is use a bathroom scale as suggested to measure the weight you are lifting. This gets tricky because you have to measure the weight near where you are mounting the strut to the bed. In other words, weighing the foot of the bed isn't accurate because of leverage the foot of the bed will require considerably less force to lift than near the head or hinge of the bed. Again, strut placement is key. Our MCI has a king bed and its 3/4" ply. That thing is heavy. Insanely heavy. At the very end of the bed where the least amount of force is needed to lift it because of leverage, it weighs 80 lbs.
Here: get about 12 travel or more. Most have more than enough torque.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=12v+linear+actuator&_frs=1 (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=12v+linear+actuator&_frs=1)
Just another take on all of this. I opted for a totally different approach. I made a "Stratton Bed" that has baskets where the drawers would be. There's a little section of unused space in the center where I keep spare parts. If my picture attachment doesn't work, Google "stratton bed".
go to spd industries They will help you with what you need, They make them.
Don
Quote from: Scott Bennett on August 26, 2013, 03:44:31 AM
I'm actually doing this at the moment. I did go to Bontragers and they sell assorted lift struts for $15 each. They are not labeled so I was guessing on the lb rating.
Scott, you can buy new at the length, strength and lb you want for $16-17 from an outfit in Toledo. we ordered ours custom pressure after talking to the engineer. they filled them to the weight we wanted and he recommended.
Associated Spring Raymond
370 W. Dussel Drive — Suite A
Maumee, OH 43537–1604
Phone: 419–891–9292
http://www.asraymond.com/ (http://www.asraymond.com/)
i've got no connections with these folks other than they sold me what i wanted, new, at less than the crap i bought in Indiana that was used or old.
fyi.
Quote from: Debo on August 26, 2013, 06:01:30 AM
Just another take on all of this. I opted for a totally different approach. I made a "Stratton Bed" that has baskets where the drawers would be. There's a little section of unused space in the center where I keep spare parts. If my picture attachment doesn't work, Google "stratton bed".
Now that you mention it mine was a hybred. the hinged end of the bed was 4 large drawers and the lift end of the bed was open space. HTH JIm
Quote from: white-eagle on August 26, 2013, 12:01:50 PM
Scott, you can buy new at the length, strength and lb you want for $16-17 from an outfit in Toledo. we ordered ours custom pressure after talking to the engineer. they filled them to the weight we wanted and he recommended.
Associated Spring Raymond
370 W. Dussel Drive — Suite A
Maumee, OH 43537–1604
Phone: 419–891–9292
http://www.asraymond.com/ (http://www.asraymond.com/)
i've got no connections with these folks other than they sold me what i wanted, new, at less than the crap i bought in Indiana that was used or old.
fyi.
Thanks Tom. The used Gas Struts from Bontragers are indeed junk. I'll look into this. Want to get it right...it's a heavy first 4 inches lifting that thing.
Try this www.goldsgym.com (http://www.goldsgym.com)
Quote from: luvrbus on August 26, 2013, 04:04:47 PM
Try this www.goldsgym.com (http://www.goldsgym.com)
Lol. How'd you know cliff!? :-) I need
to work out more. :-/
This was sent to my email http://www.richelieu.com/en/bed-with-storage-unit-set-WEBKIT1010763?fr= (http://www.richelieu.com/en/bed-with-storage-unit-set-WEBKIT1010763?fr=) different ! dave
Quote from: Scott Bennett on August 26, 2013, 03:31:05 PM
Thanks Tom. The used Gas Struts from Bontragers are indeed junk. I'll look into this. Want to get it right...it's a heavy first 4 inches lifting that thing.
Scott, you are welcome. i got a dozen for my bay doors, then talked to engineer about my engine lift gate. I couldn't read the old sizes, but I measured and described them to him and they custom filled to pressure we thought would be adequate. and cheap, considering the overstock, outdated junk in Indiana. They all work well now.
I still think linear actuators are the way to go on beds, though. controlled lift and down.
Rockler Woodworking sells a kit for twin full and queen.Around $140.00.Rockler.com.