20' Series 20Ft bunk window struts

[Andrewm02]

I have just had to order 4 new ones for our November 2014 20.63.1
To say they are flimsy and not suitable for use is an understatement, especially on kids bunk bed windows!

I just had mine replaced by Jayco under warranty. The dealer tried domestic first but they just blew him off.

 

[Smirke]

our van is4 months old and one of those struts jammed within 1 week of pickup. Just been away, and the top one has gone too. Think Jayco need something better on them

 

[Crusty181]

This is exactly what I did however with one additional step....
The cause of the sticking in our case was slight surface rust on the tiny ball bearing which is held (very) tight against the plastic strut which slides inside the casing. The ball slides against the strut until it hits a small indentation into which it sits for the various opening points. It effectively gets stuck in the hole and can't slide out as the spring is too tight.

Using side cutters, snip off two rings from the spring and then refit. Being such small windows making the spring effectively weaker and in turn means it all runs with less tension. You can stretch the spring a mm or two if you find it too weak.

Had no problem since.

I just modified my bunk window strays. For those that have them, you don't need to remove the stays, the spring mechanism is on the outside of the strut and easily accessible from outside the van with the window open. The spring cap unclips very easily by light prying with a pointy tool such as a knife ... pry off from one end, not from the middle, with you finger on the middle of the clip to stop you flicking it away. Inside the cap are only two parts, a spring and a small loose bearing which seats in the 2 indents on the shaft. The spring is not under enough pressure to fly out, but the spring and bearing will certainly fall out without enough care, and you'll most certainly loose the bearing if it bounces off from dropping at bunk window height.

If you hold a bucket or tub under at least the first one, you'll get a feel for it without the risks associated with not knowing exactly what to expect. I cut about 2mm off the spring with a pair of crappy old pliers, and thats made a world of difference. It very smooth and soft to close with some spray dry lube. My only tip would be to use dry lube, wet lube will attract grime.

 

[formyfamily]

is this common across all windows or just the expandas

 

[Crusty181]

I think there Dometic windows, so any van with smaller Dometic windows with those plastic struts would have the same issue

 

[Falco]

I have just had the grandkids stay, and the bunk windows got used for the first time in 5 years. 3 gas struts are totally stuck and jammed. One bent beyond repair. Is their any alternative yet to paying the $65 that Jayco want for replacements.

 

[Drover]

Check out https://www.gasstrutguys.com.au/ they may have the size you need, you will need to measure them and possibly pull some numbers off the old ones.

 

[poor but proud]

i use a mobile guy from redland bay ,not sure how far he ranges, he supplies on site and will regass for half retail price if possible ,do a google search for your location, if you cant find one local ,post again and i will give you his number, buying them from ebay is possible but lots of stories about getting wrong pressures and stroke (gas struts gold coast 0409775706 on site no call out fee)

 

[Crusty181]

I have just had the grandkids stay, and the bunk windows got used for the first time in 5 years. 3 gas struts are totally stuck and jammed. One bent beyond repair. Is their any alternative yet to paying the $65 that Jayco want for replacements.

Gas struts on the windows ??? Is it the same as my pic a couple of posts up above, there's only a spring and ball bearing inside under the cap circled. If its bent and not broken its likely repairable

 

[Falco]

I managed to "fix"all my stuffed struts, (all eight of them) by spraying silicone on them. Now they all work perfectly for the first time since buying the caravan.

 

[Drover]

I was looking at my daughters New Age van yesterday and noticed small struts for the windows and was wondering if they were the same as yours and how you were getting on...........

 

[Grandpa Gunna]

Just checked ours, thanks @Crusty181 and @Falco for your easy fixes. Another potential problem fixed before kids stuff them (were tight)

 

[Ted farkas]

Hi Guys,

I've had the same problem with my 14ft expanda and ended up pulling apart the window struts to get some functionality.

I have developed a refurb kit currently available on EBAY that maybe of interest if you miss placed the bits and don't want to fork out 70 bucks a pop for a set of the plastic struts or fart around and look for the bits.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/224523201964


Happy camping

Regards
Ted