Bed Risers for 172 Lower Bunk

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I’ve installed bed lifts to help lift and hold open the
storage area under the lower bunk in the RP-172. They easily support the
factory mattress, a 2.5 inch thick memory foam topper, pillows, and two
lightweight sleeping bags.

A web loop has been added to aid in raising the bed. 

The following drawing shows the attachment points for the
props. 

Note the stiffener bar mounted to the plywood top near the
opening edge. This is necessary to prevent extreme twisting of the thin
plywood. I used a 2x4 ripped to 2x2.5 (nominal 2x3), but a stock 2x2 would
probably work. Without it you’re asking for problems.

Note that the brackets are mounted with machine screws to
the top plywood. There are significant forces on these brackets. Wood screws in
the thin plywood will not hold.

The two gas props are RV Designer 20 inch, 40 pound devices
available from Camping World, along with the required brackets:

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/gas-prop-20in-40lbs/4980

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CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Topic: Bed Risers for 172 Lower Bunk Posted: 29 Nov 2012 at 7:57pm
	I’ve installed bed lifts to help lift and hold open the storage area under the lower bunk in the RP-172. They easily support the factory mattress, a 2.5 inch thick memory foam topper, pillows, and two lightweight sleeping bags. A web loop has been added to aid in raising the bed. The following drawing shows the attachment points for the props. Note the stiffener bar mounted to the plywood top near the opening edge. This is necessary to prevent extreme twisting of the thin plywood. I used a 2x4 ripped to 2x2.5 (nominal 2x3), but a stock 2x2 would probably work. Without it you’re asking for problems. Note that the brackets are mounted with machine screws to the top plywood. There are significant forces on these brackets. Wood screws in the thin plywood will not hold. The two gas props are RV Designer 20 inch, 40 pound devices available from Camping World, along with the required brackets: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/gas-prop-20in-40lbs/4980
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 30 Nov 2012 at 11:26pm
	Nice.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

coopercdrkey Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Aug 2012 Location: Cedar Key, FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 457	Posted: 01 Dec 2012 at 6:00am
	What a great idea! Why didn't I think of that? I see a couple of light duty struts in our 177's future to hold up the under-dinette-bench storage area covers. Good show! (edit)- On order!
	Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 01 Dec 2012 at 7:48am
	Coopercdrkey, I've also dealt with the dinette seat in the 172. I used a singe 12 inch, 30 pound force prop which works quite well. The width of the seat is short enough that on side is sufficient. It holds the seat open with or without the cushions. However, I had to clip an inch or so off the rear (right) side edge of the plywood and add a 1x2 stringer to the box along the side to support the shortened cover plywood. This was necessary to allow the cover to clear the stationary cushion as it opens. Small oversight on the part of FR. The hardware is available from Camping World. Here's a diagram to start you off:
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

coopercdrkey Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Aug 2012 Location: Cedar Key, FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 457	Posted: 01 Dec 2012 at 8:04am
	Thanks for the diagram. The 177 dinette does not have the "wrap around" seating as does your 'Pod, so I think my installation will be pretty straightforward. The struts I found come with mounting flanges, so I won't need to adapt automotive style ball mounts. Thanks again.
	Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 01 Dec 2012 at 9:48am
	Coopercdrkey, I checked after I replied and realized the 177 didn't have the seat cushion problem of the 172. Good for you. But your seats look a bit wider than mine so you might consider two props, of a lesser force rating, per seat. Sounds like you have it well in hand. Press on.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Jay L Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19 Jul 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 19 Jul 2015 at 12:07pm
	This is great. A buddy and I discussed doing something like this to our new 172 and a quick search and someone has done it =) Question, Campingworld no longer carries the 20in 40 lb prop. (that I could find on the website). Is there any concern with putting in a 20in 80lb? Does that just mean it will support 80 lbs or does that mean it will pop up on it's own? Never done anything like this before so I'm going to confirm the measurements today to determine next steps. Thanks!

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 19 Jul 2015 at 2:20pm
	Overkill will cause it to pop up and/or be very hard to close. In addition the extra force may split the wood. The 20" 40# prop is still available: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/gas-prop-20in-40lbs/49805
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Jay L Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19 Jul 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 25 Jul 2015 at 4:23pm
	Thanks for the response. I was concerned about overkill so thanks for the confirmation. I will check these out, thanks!!

Jay L Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19 Jul 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 9:38pm
	Completed the project today. I went with the 2x2 and seems to be doing the job. Thanks again for this great diagram.