Lift and hold bed on 2013 Itasca Meridian 42e

cliffm · 11-02-2014, 05:13 PM

We bought our Itasca new, and have been a little surprised by some things that it doesn't have. Most recent realization is that the bed has no lift cylinders to assist in lifting and holding it up to access underneath it.

Has anybody added pneumatic cylinders to address this? If you're by yourself and have to get in there, it's really awkward.

Cliff

BFlinn181 · 11-02-2014, 05:24 PM

A broomstick or a piece of 2x2 works.

If you want to get fancy, try these:

Bedlift Kit Large

ChasA · 11-02-2014, 06:12 PM

What? ???? I've had 2 Winnebagos and they both had gas springs to hold the bed up. Neither of these was anywhere near as expensive as a 42E. I would be on the phone to Winnebago to see if they made a mistake or was this an intentional deletion.

AFChap · 11-03-2014, 10:16 AM

My 40' Ultimate came with the bed platform fastened down with screws. It was not intended for storage due to slide mechanism & electrical and the under area of the bed being the return airway to the heat pump. After opening it up for a repair issue once I left the screws out. I use a 2x2 extension pole for my tree trimmer to hold it up, and store it right there in the storage pocket for the pull-out privacy screen. We do have to be picky what we store under there because it WILL get dusty due to the return air airflow.

mel s · 11-03-2014, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFChap

I use a 2x2 extension pole for my tree trimmer to hold it up, and store it right there in the storage pocket for the pull-out privacy screen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

A broomstick or a piece of 2x2 works.

BFlinn181

I've used broom handle for 13 years.
(I store the handle in a closet... screwed onto the broom head).
Mel
'96 Safari

D Lindy · 11-03-2014, 10:56 AM

We use the mop that's in the closet, need it to clean the floors so why not make it do double duty.

Ray,IN · 11-05-2014, 08:53 PM

If you want to add gas struts, the two on my Queen-bed are 80# ea. I'll get the ID numbers if you want them.

hunter41 · 11-05-2014, 09:20 PM

As recommended on Tour 2013 discussion, i bought a 4ft 1 1/4 inch dowel at Lowes and added two chair rubber tips. Worked great but I did have my wife stand by so that if it slipped I was protected. Don't want your head under there if it slips for sure.

XBoater · 11-05-2014, 11:05 PM

I imagine there are no lifts on the bed because there is no storage under the bed, therefore no reason to regularly lift it.

I was a bit shocked by the massive jumble of wires and vent hose under there. I am not sure how long it will be until my natural desire for order makes me have to clean up that mess. It will be just after I get the pole cut I'm sure. My DW said she has better things to do than stand there holding up the bed again.

doorguy · 11-06-2014, 08:31 AM

Ours wasn't intended to be used for storage for reasons in post #4. I used the Hatchlift struts as linked in post #2. Now my wife can easily lift the bed and it stays up. I kind of had to play with the positioning of the struts to get it just right for the weight. We have a Sleep Number bed, so it is not that heavy.

1ciderdog · 11-06-2014, 11:11 AM

I also added struts for the bed. Doorguy & I have the same model RV and I followed his suggestion a couple of years ago. My wife can now lift the bed and it stays up. Access to the engine turbo is under the bed. I had used a pice of wood to hold it up but this is much better.