Great video. That's how I got the problem nutted out getting old ones off and new ones off and was looking to see if there was a smarter way (I aint the most mechanical) so thanks for confirming that for me. Anyone in Adelaide, there's a business in Glenelg East that re-gasses struts for a great price and this chap has been doing this for years and has great knowledge on how/much far to regass for the application you have. He also supplies new quality struts if needed (some I took to him off the new to us van we got were cheap OS ones and couldn't be regassed safely). I've used his service a few times over the last 30 years and he is spot on every time. He will re-gass within an hour or two usually. He's an easy google search.
@@DENMONKEY Yes, Thanks for the advice, I've just had my struts recharged, they were supposed to be 150 newtons but only had 50 in them, I had them charged to 200 but they struggle with a 20 litre water drum on the roof, I think you were wise to put 430 newtons on it, as luck would have it the strut guy said that he will happily put extra charge in them for me at no extra charge LOL. total cost was $60 for 4. I think I'll go with 400 newtons each.
I've seen pop-tops with struts on the sides and a cross spring on each end. I'd say that would help with the side lean a lot. Great video, you have taught me heaps. Thanks.
Cheers Paulus. Yes there are a few designs. Some have a scissor type mechanism on the end to help out on their own. Having good struts all round helps too.
Hey Brett, ordered the struts from the gasstrut guys @ $88. I jumped in last weekend and started on number 1. Removed the old strut then tried removing brackets without much success. Phillips heads all damaged so decided to use existing fittings! Approached 2nd one and same deal so used existing hardware. After using all existing hardware I'm now wondering if I've done the right thing!!! Unfortunately in my case it has not re-aligned the roof nor has it made it a great deal easier lifting the roof. Only noticeable difference is I now have to apply a lot more force on the inside arms to lower the roof. Have I made a mistake by not using the included hardware? BTW yes old struts were reasonably weak in pressure. Cheers Mike
3 Weeks ago I bought a 1984 Caravette 4 which was not at all looked after. Inside a bit butchered but with some TLC and improvisation, will wok out OK. A leak in one corner caused some wood damage but I sorted that out with new wood, and expander foam filler. Re-panelled the corner. Not a perfect match but good enough! Thanks for the tip on the gaslifts! I have to replace all 4. R300 each!! the ceiling too was water damaged and busy replacing that with 6mm plywood. Varnish finish. The previous owner had also mounted the lift mechanisn the wrong way around so thanks to your video, I sorted THAT out too. A new skirt is being made up in the canvas shop. I wanted a project, I now have one!!
Brilliant. Glad it helped out. Pretty straight forward job really but very much worth the effort. Good luck chasing the leaks. They can be hard to find and fix. Welcome to caravaning
Hi I got 450N 500mm gas struts at 4 for R700 from Discovery Caravan & Outdoor - Campworld on M10 Pretoria. (I hope it is not against some policy to provide details). Used on old Sprite Super Sport I bought recently.
Hi Brett your video was great after doing one I found it much easier to fit the top end of the strut and then compress to the right length with the ratchet strap.
Hi Ian I did the same - worked a treat. I have different mounts which have a shackle (eye) which has to fit between the sides of the mounting bracket and then attached with a pin if that makes sense. I just folded the strap to get it to the same width as the shackle (eye) so it could fit between the sides of the mounting bracket. Once the strut was compressed I could fit the eye and the strap into the gap in the mounting bracket and then insert the pin. The strap could then be pulled out from the upper and lower mounting brackets. If you can figure this out, you most likely have the same mountings as I do.
Good stuff Brett! So what you've said (correct me if Im wrong) Is if you keep your nuts tight, your skirt will go up, your strut will remove your wrinkles and its not hard to get it up now! Sounds like you're on a winner. Cheers Steve
Hi, enjoyed your video replacing struts. How did you know what struts to order? I can only see 100N on the strut( which seems way to light ) I assume just the length of cylinder and shaft . Thanks, ray
Hi I came across your video which looks very helpful. I have a vw transporter which has been converted into a campervan. I had a roof lift installed so I could stand up and have a extra bed. It now weights 12kilos as also had a thin solar panel on the roof. I can't lift it and have hurt my shoulder. I then had electric struts installed, but the left strut I think is failing as it has pulled out from the top twice. And also goes up uneven. I would appreciate any advice and where could I contact someone who knows what they are doing.
Useful video. What type of ratchet strap have you used? Make and model, kgs load etc why I ask because the one I got from Bunnings was not strong enough! The strut made a hole in the strap! It had a lashing capacity of 680kg and the struts I have is 290nM.
Sorry mate, I've moved houses a few times since then and bought all new straps and got rid of all my old ones. So I can check for you. I don't spend top dollar on my straps though, so they would only be off the shelf at Bunnings for less than 30 bucks a set.
Hi Mate I will probably meet you One day . I'm Mates with Steve from Mudducks Touring. Just got a Question about your caravan. Mines a Pop Top to. Youe mentioned you have had you van lifted. Is this something you got somebody to do. If so where? Cheers Troy
yes mate, i sure did. I'm in the lake macquarie area and took it to felk engineering. they make trailers and the like down at warners bay. its an old video but this should help. ruclips.net/video/4miowE-HZ0w/видео.html catch ya one day
I have a 80 Nipper I took down the fly screens one at a time I bought the fly screen from Bunnings and the Velcro from Spotlight and just used each screen as a templet and sewed them on my Elena works fine for me. Your video was very interesting I still have cross bars on my pop top it’s difficult for me to put up with bad shoulders and a bad back. I have been told my Nipper is too small it’s 12ft for gas struts what do you think
thanks for the idea on the screens. I still haven't gotten around to them, but I do enjoy working on the sewing machine. don't tell anyone. When they say too small, what are they referring to ? It doesn't make sense in my head but I'm not sure what they mean by too small. A friend has a pop top with a scissor lift but it also used springs. he put new springs on and it got much easier. do you have springs on your set up ?
Self adhesive velcro will hold them , but if the skirt side is ok, then replace the velcro and mesh on the panels , domestic sewing machine should sew the vinyl, but a canvas shop would sew them fairly cheaply.
Evening Jeff, the skirt is 'ok' not great but for now I just need to replace the screens on each end. don't know how, but the bugs find the holes. I'm a bit nifty on the old sewing machine and have some fly netting. I might just give that a crack. They all need to be pulled down for a good clean, so might check them all out and have a look see. cheers Brett
@@DENMONKEY it only had scissors that wouldn't hold the roof up with solar and awning.i will remove the side scissors tomorrow to see how it goes when I work out how to get them off
thanlk you so much, just replaced all 4 struts and took about 20 mins per strut.
Great video. That's how I got the problem nutted out getting old ones off and new ones off and was looking to see if there was a smarter way (I aint the most mechanical) so thanks for confirming that for me.
Anyone in Adelaide, there's a business in Glenelg East that re-gasses struts for a great price and this chap has been doing this for years and has great knowledge on how/much far to regass for the application you have. He also supplies new quality struts if needed (some I took to him off the new to us van we got were cheap OS ones and couldn't be regassed safely). I've used his service a few times over the last 30 years and he is spot on every time. He will re-gass within an hour or two usually. He's an easy google search.
I've just watched this a second time and I wish I could give you another like, thanks mate, very very helpful.
no worries mate, just keep under control when you're doing it other wise they can give you a bit of a fright :)
@@DENMONKEY Yes, Thanks for the advice, I've just had my struts recharged, they were supposed to be 150 newtons but only had 50 in them, I had them charged to 200 but they struggle with a 20 litre water drum on the roof, I think you were wise to put 430 newtons on it, as luck would have it the strut guy said that he will happily put extra charge in them for me at no extra charge LOL. total cost was $60 for 4. I think I'll go with 400 newtons each.
I've seen pop-tops with struts on the sides and a cross spring on each end. I'd say that would help with the side lean a lot. Great video, you have taught me heaps. Thanks.
Cheers Paulus. Yes there are a few designs. Some have a scissor type mechanism on the end to help out on their own. Having good struts all round helps too.
Simply BRILLIANT video with a bit of humour chucked in. Reckon this is why my Discovery roof is out of whack. Thank you.
Hi MIke, thanks very much. As said in the video, well worth the time and effort mate. Jump in
Hey Brett, ordered the struts from the gasstrut guys @ $88. I jumped in last weekend and started on number 1. Removed the old strut then tried removing brackets without much success. Phillips heads all damaged so decided to use existing fittings! Approached 2nd one and same deal so used existing hardware. After using all existing hardware I'm now wondering if I've done the right thing!!! Unfortunately in my case it has not re-aligned the roof nor has it made it a great deal easier lifting the roof. Only noticeable difference is I now have to apply a lot more force on the inside arms to lower the roof. Have I made a mistake by not using the included hardware? BTW yes old struts were reasonably weak in pressure.
Cheers
Mike
3 Weeks ago I bought a 1984 Caravette 4 which was not at all looked after. Inside a bit butchered but with some TLC and improvisation, will wok out OK. A leak in one corner caused some wood damage but I sorted that out with new wood, and expander foam filler. Re-panelled the corner. Not a perfect match but good enough! Thanks for the tip on the gaslifts! I have to replace all 4. R300 each!! the ceiling too was water damaged and busy replacing that with 6mm plywood. Varnish finish. The previous owner had also mounted the lift mechanisn the wrong way around so thanks to your video, I sorted THAT out too. A new skirt is being made up in the canvas shop. I wanted a project, I now have one!!
Brilliant. Glad it helped out. Pretty straight forward job really but very much worth the effort. Good luck chasing the leaks. They can be hard to find and fix. Welcome to caravaning
Hi I got 450N 500mm gas struts at 4 for R700 from Discovery Caravan & Outdoor - Campworld on M10 Pretoria. (I hope it is not against some policy to provide details). Used on old Sprite Super Sport I bought recently.
Thanks Cecil. All info helps
Hi Brett your video was great after doing one I found it much easier to fit the top end of the strut and then compress to the right length with the ratchet strap.
Glad it helped Ian. We'll with the effort and dollars I think. How bad were your old struts?
Hi Ian I did the same - worked a treat. I have different mounts which have a shackle (eye) which has to fit between the sides of the mounting bracket and then attached with a pin if that makes sense. I just folded the strap to get it to the same width as the shackle (eye) so it could fit between the sides of the mounting bracket. Once the strut was compressed I could fit the eye and the strap into the gap in the mounting bracket and then insert the pin. The strap could then be pulled out from the upper and lower mounting brackets. If you can figure this out, you most likely have the same mountings as I do.
Good onya Brett. My pop top is a bit wonky and I think I need to do the same. Video was great- well done mate.
no worries John, time to get it done before christmas :)
Good stuff Brett! So what you've said (correct me if Im wrong) Is if you keep your nuts tight, your skirt will go up, your strut will remove your wrinkles and its not hard to get it up now! Sounds like you're on a winner. Cheers Steve
All of those things Steven. You may keep your own old nuts. Never know when you may need them. I'm ready for our trip buddy.
Keep up the good vids, Just did mine this morning thanks to you
🥳
Welcome Mark and thanks.
Great video, following now thanks 😅
Welcome aboard!
Hi, enjoyed your video replacing struts. How did you know what struts to order? I can only see 100N on the strut( which seems way to light ) I assume just the length of cylinder and shaft . Thanks, ray
Hi I came across your video which looks very helpful. I have a vw transporter which has been converted into a campervan. I had a roof lift installed so I could stand up and have a extra bed. It now weights 12kilos as also had a thin solar panel on the roof. I can't lift it and have hurt my shoulder. I then had electric struts installed, but the left strut I think is failing as it has pulled out from the top twice. And also goes up uneven. I would appreciate any advice and where could I contact someone who knows what they are doing.
Useful video. What type of ratchet strap have you used? Make and model, kgs load etc why I ask because the one I got from Bunnings was not strong enough! The strut made a hole in the strap! It had a lashing capacity of 680kg and the struts I have is 290nM.
Sorry mate, I've moved houses a few times since then and bought all new straps and got rid of all my old ones. So I can check for you. I don't spend top dollar on my straps though, so they would only be off the shelf at Bunnings for less than 30 bucks a set.
Hi Mate I will probably meet you One day . I'm Mates with Steve from Mudducks Touring. Just got a Question about your caravan. Mines a Pop Top to. Youe mentioned you have had you van lifted. Is this something you got somebody to do. If so where?
Cheers Troy
yes mate, i sure did. I'm in the lake macquarie area and took it to felk engineering. they make trailers and the like down at warners bay. its an old video but this should help. ruclips.net/video/4miowE-HZ0w/видео.html catch ya one day
I have a 80 Nipper I took down the fly screens one at a time I bought the fly screen from Bunnings and the Velcro from Spotlight and just used each screen as a templet and sewed them on my Elena works fine for me. Your video was very interesting I still have cross bars on my pop top it’s difficult for me to put up with bad shoulders and a bad back. I have been told my Nipper is too small it’s 12ft for gas struts what do you think
thanks for the idea on the screens. I still haven't gotten around to them, but I do enjoy working on the sewing machine. don't tell anyone.
When they say too small, what are they referring to ? It doesn't make sense in my head but I'm not sure what they mean by too small.
A friend has a pop top with a scissor lift but it also used springs. he put new springs on and it got much easier. do you have springs on your set up ?
Self adhesive velcro will hold them , but if the skirt side is ok, then replace the velcro and mesh on the panels , domestic sewing machine should sew the vinyl, but a canvas shop would sew them fairly cheaply.
Evening Jeff,
the skirt is 'ok' not great but for now I just need to replace the screens on each end. don't know how, but the bugs find the holes.
I'm a bit nifty on the old sewing machine and have some fly netting. I might just give that a crack.
They all need to be pulled down for a good clean, so might check them all out and have a look see.
cheers Brett
Thank Brett
Just put struts on 84 Windsor using the strap method.took about 15 minutes per side .
Beauty. How we your old ones?
@@DENMONKEY it only had scissors that wouldn't hold the roof up with solar and awning.i will remove the side scissors tomorrow to see how it goes when I work out how to get them off
I’m your biggest fan
excellent. That's 1 :) Thanks little buddy
Where do u live I really want to have a look at your caravan and have coffee with you
How many pounds are those?
I believe these were a 435N which was is about 43kgs per strut if I recall . so they were pretty strong
Why ruin a useful tutorial with obscene gesturing?