Beefy hatch struts for ladder / weight bearing?

[macscac]

Hi!

So I have the c4fab ladder and I did upgrade the stock struts to handle the extra weight of the ladder. I used the recommendation from C4.
They seemed great. I think the are Escalade replacement struts

Fast forward to this weekend, I just put a single 2 gallon fuel tank on the back
With fuel in the can, the struts won’t keep the hatch up.
I have to go back to using a visegrip on the strut shaft to keep it up

I need to get two 2 gallons cans on my ladder so I need a strut setup that can handle that kind of weight.

Any suggests? Thanks

(Pic of the single can today)

 

[macscac]

Yeah.. no pic. Service too rough to get a photo iploaded

 

[mailbox]

These are the ones I think there have been threads recommending them for the guys with gobi ladders etc.

https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/lift-supports-depot-pm3489-gas-charged-liftgate-lift-support/

You might want even stiffer ones for an additional load idk. You could talk to their support they were pretty helpful

 

[young]

macsc i may get the c4 ladder as well. please let me know the outcome whatever you change.

 

[Teamoatmealpie]

https://www.amazon.com/AES-Industries-Support-Non-Scratching-Aluminum/dp/B002D3PSJK


You need 2 of these instead of vice grips.

I have them and they work great.

I bought the extra beefy struts and they support a ladder and a fairly full trasharoo and empty rotopax (never found a situation where I needed to use it yet). The struts will lift what I have, but I use the chocks for extra support when I know the hatch is gonna be open for awhile.

 

[yardsale]

Gas weighs six pounds per gallon. If I’m reading your post correctly, you want struts that will support 24 pounds? I don’t think there is a strut made which is designed to support that kind of weight. You need to prop it open with a stick or something.

 

[drewsro]

https://www.amazon.com/AES-Industries-Support-Non-Scratching-Aluminum/dp/B002D3PSJK


You need 2 of these instead of vice grips.

I have them and they work great.

I bought the extra beefy struts and they support a ladder and a fairly full trasharoo and empty rotopax (never found a situation where I needed to use it yet). The struts will lift what I have, but I use the chocks for extra support when I know the hatch is gonna be open for awhile.

These are awesome little things. We have one here at my work and it even makes changing lift supports on hoods/hatches an easy one-man job

 

[YellowSnow]

Gas weighs six pounds per gallon. If I’m reading your post correctly, you want struts that will support 24 pounds? I don’t think there is a strut made which is designed to support that kind of weight. You need to prop it open with a stick or something.

No, not a stick or something....did you even read this thread? Those $10 chocks from Amazon that were linked work great.

:wacko:

 

[macscac]

Thanks for the advice
I did reach out to the people at the lift company to see if they have any advice. Will report back.

Also, those grips on amazon look like a decent backup idea
Thank you

 

[Jhalko]

I have a Gobi ladder and on one trip I put a 4 gallon rotopax with gas on the ladder for a big trip. Once I lifted it open it did stay open with the fuel, that was in summer temps. I wouldn’t do it on a regular basis. I have the Gobi struts for my liftgate. FWIW

 

[mrblah]

i might have to buy those clamps too....lol.

 

[macscac]

I have a Gobi ladder and on one trip I put a 4 gallon rotopax with gas on the ladder for a big trip. Once I lifted it open it did stay open with the fuel, that was in summer temps. I wouldn’t do it on a regular basis. I have the Gobi struts for my liftgate. FWIW

Well that sounds good. I’ll do some digging. Do your struts have any branding and/or any item codes or serial numbers?

 

[unsub1]

I have a Gobi ladder and on one trip I put a 4 gallon rotopax with gas on the ladder for a big trip. Once I lifted it open it did stay open with the fuel, that was in summer temps. I wouldn’t do it on a regular basis. I have the Gobi struts for my liftgate. FWIW

Me too. Anytime I would set up camp, I'd pull off my Rotopax. I only left them on with the hatch opened every now and then. Like you said; did fine in the summer heat, but def a no-go in freezing temps, in my recent experience.

 

[yardsale]

No, not a stick or something....did you even read this thread? Those $10 chocks from Amazon that were linked work great.

:wacko:

Of course I read the thread. I still think a stick is better. People have been using them to prop open hatches since long before you were born kid. You can buy sticks made from American Hickory trees, which is much better than Chinese aluminum. And you can use a stick to fend off bears while you are overlanding.

 

[57buick]

These are what I got and you can see my testing in the pics stock vs. these 6156 struts, went from 15 pound pull to 24 pound pull to close door, working great.
If you go too strong they will be a pain to pull shut.

https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/strong-arm-6156-gas-charged-liftgate-lift-support/

 

[YellowSnow]

Of course I read the thread. I still think a stick is better. People have been using them to prop open hatches since long before you were born kid. You can buy sticks made from American Hickory trees, which is much better than Chinese aluminum. And you can use a stick to fend off bears while you are overlanding.

:wacko:

 

[macscac]

trying to get liftsupportsdepot on the phone is like pulling teeth.
for 2 days (off and on) i have only gotten their voicemail...

so these struts you have.. how much weight do you think you could stack on a ladder and have it hold up?

also, i think i might raise my gascan to higher on the ladder. that might bring the weight closer to the top and less stress on the strut.

These are what I got and you can see my testing in the pics stock vs. these 6156 struts, went from 15 pound pull to 24 pound pull to close door, working great.
If you go too strong they will be a pain to pull shut.

https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/strong-arm-6156-gas-charged-liftgate-lift-support/

 

[57buick]

trying to get liftsupportsdepot on the phone is like pulling teeth.
for 2 days (off and on) i have only gotten their voicemail...

so these struts you have.. how much weight do you think you could stack on a ladder and have it hold up?

also, i think i might raise my gascan to higher on the ladder. that might bring the weight closer to the top and less stress on the strut.

I dont know all I have right now is my baja ladder, was just upgrading them to prepare for future stuff. Couldnt say though how much weight they will take. I just know its more difficult now for my wife to start pulling it down because of the stiffer shocks

 

[macscac]

I dont know all I have right now is my baja ladder, was just upgrading them to prepare for future stuff. Couldnt say though how much weight they will take. I just know its more difficult now for my wife to start pulling it down because of the stiffer shocks

actually i just pulled my original order from liftsupportsdepot.
i have the same struts as you now.. the 6156's.

so i need something stronger..

 

[Jhalko]

actually i just pulled my original order from liftsupportsdepot.
i have the same struts as you now.. the 6156's.

so i need something stronger..

I mean it sounds like you need a full steel bumper with a swing out. :becky:


To your other question, I just have the Gobi HD struts for the 4Runner you can find on their site.