Still trying to decide about bedding issues

[Dave Siegel]

Everyone was very helpful when I asked about converting our queen size bed to two twin bunk sizes. I appreciate that. But now I have a new dilema:

As you know we have a Silversides and that means very narrow bedroom width. I have been working on changing the window treatments and have found some more shoulder room which makes the bedroom appear wider. We have a really good quality innerspring queen size mattress and when I built the base I even upholstered the inside of the base with trunk carpeting , with the intent to use that area for storage. The problem has been I can not lift the mattress and bed deck by myself. So here's my question.

Is there a way to install gas lift shocks, (or something even electrical) that will lift the deck and mattress for me so I can regain that storage space. My quess is the mattress weighs about 100 pounds with the deck included. (The deck is 3/4" plywood.) What size shocks should I use?  Is there a lift I can use?

Thanks again in advance for any advice offered.

Dave

[boxcarOkie]

Is there a way to install gas lift shocks, (or something even electrical) that will lift the deck and mattress for me so I can regain that storage space. My quess is the mattress weighs about 100 pounds with the deck included. (The deck is 3/4" plywood.) What size shocks should I use?  Is there a lift I can use?

Thanks again in advance for any advice offered.

Dave

We have the same problem.  I have seen gas shocks applied in the situation you describe, although I do not know where to purchase any of them.  Some high dollar motor home configurations have them as I have seen them at trade shows.  Right now, I am where you are, heavy and cumbersome.  I don't put anything under there that I will need access to frequently.

BCO

[Lee Bradley]

Dave,

Here is the site for electric http://www.firgelliauto.com/
I have purchased from them in the past and will be again.

[jjrbus]

I seat of the pants eyeball engineered my bed. It worked, but the bed was hard to raise the first few inches and dropped hard the last couple inches on the way done. Usable but I am sure could have done better.

There is more info on the net now so try Google      sizing gas struts or new application gas struts.
                            JIm

[white-eagle]

we put in 2 electric linear actuator lifts, operated by a toggle on the side of the bed.  we got them from www.firgelliauto.com and they have a big selection.  ours have about 16 inches mounted from floor to bed base and raise the bed up about 3 foot at the base.  i think i paid about $100 for the kit pair.

ours was a pain to lift by hand also.  now my wife gets stuff whenever she needs it.  We keep the cold weather clothes in it, and hope never to need them, and also holiday stuff.

[gus]

Gas struts work well but getting the geometry right is difficult.

It will take much more than 100 lb strut to do the job simply because the strut will be way down towards the hinge not at the end where you lift it manually. Get the most powerful strut you can find and go from there. It takes a bit of time to get the mounting positions figured it out, each bed is a slightly different setup.

[Brassman]

I agree with gus. You better figure out how to reinforce the attachment points. Gotta love epoxy and filler--I hope, and pray!

[Dave Siegel]

we put in 2 electric linear actuator lifts, operated by a toggle on the side of the bed.  we got them from www.firgelliauto.com and they have a big selection.  ours have about 16 inches mounted from floor to bed base and raise the bed up about 3 foot at the base.  i think i paid about $100 for the kit pair.

ours was a pain to lift by hand also.  now my wife gets stuff whenever she needs it.  We keep the cold weather clothes in it, and hope never to need them, and also holiday stuff.

Thank you White Eagle for your response. Your setup sounds like what I am looking to do in our bus. Could you email me offline with info as to where you placed your actuators and how long a throw they were,etc.   davesiegeldesigns@gmail.com

Thanks

Dave

[white-eagle]

Dave,
i just noticed you are in Naples.  We're in Arcadia.  Drive on up and get a look at it.  i'm at jack's.  Their bed is set up in similar manner and that's what gave me the idea.  We had gas struts and they just didn't cut it.  but these actuators are perfect.

i'll try to dig out the details, but the firgelli website i listed is where i got them.  i think the ones i got were like 200 lb each, and i have 2, mounted about halfway up on the floor, and about 3/4 the way up on the mattress board.  gotta keep them lifting up - too much pointed out and you'll pull the board off the hinge.  these things have a flexible end with a pin insert that allows them to change orientation as they lift.  both 12 volt with an up/down toggle

i think everything you need is on this page? http://www.firgelliauto.com/default.php?cPath=78

[Dave Siegel]

Thanks Tom. I notice in the picture that the actuators are slightly tilted toward the foot of the bed. How did you determine that angle. The actuators look like about a 12"stroke is that right?

Dave

[white-eagle]

i used a SWAG algorithm to determine the angle.  actually, there is a board in the front area where we keep shoes, so i mounted the top of the actuator just behind it.  then i just ran an angle where the connector mounts would not bind on either end and measured the distance back from the board so it was consistant on each side.  i put the 3 way switch far enough back and high enough to not be obvious that the bed lifted.  there is not a lip you can pull up, and if the electric fails, ooops!  Cut a hole.

i think they are at least 18" stroke, probably 20", and at least 150# force each.  about $110 ea.  i got wires, switch, and limit switch from them, as well as the attach connectors.  those are basically a 2 screw hold-down with a lynch pin connector to the actuator, 1 for each end.  2 actuators, 4 connection pin, 1 momentary 3 way switch, a couple limit switches, and about 15 feet of wire and some wire nuts.  all fergelli stuff.  must have been $250 or so with shipping.

i'm sure my friend Jack has some scientific angle calculation for maximum efficiency, but my swag works almost as well  .

He'll still be here next week if you want to see a bed with actuators, i won't.  leaving tomorrow after a very enjoyable visit with Jack and Paula, two of the best pseudo relatives anyone could ask for.

[Brassman]

White-eagle, what is a SWAG algorithm?

[eagle19952]

White-eagle, what is a SWAG algorithm?

Maybe
--------Smart Wild A** Guess
--------Stupid
--------Super
--------Simple

[Dreamscape]

Dave and Tom, This thread is very timely for us. I installed the gas struts and it's just enough lift. These actuators will do what we need them to do.

At least now my wife would be able to get under the bed for her quilting stuff while I'm not available!

Thanks!

Paul

[white-eagle]

White-eagle, what is a SWAG algorithm?

Maybe
--------Smart Wild A** Guess
--------Stupid
--------Super
--------Simple

scientific
although the end result is sometimes smart, stupid, super or simple.