297RSTS Under Mattress Storage WARNING

[Mauiboy]

In our June 6, 2020 Manufacture Date Reflection 297RSTS under the bedroom mattress is a convenient storage area. However, we came across a gotcha regarding the LaVanture Black Nitrite Gas Springs. My wife (I coulda done it too!) opened the storage area fully extending the gas springs. They locked into the fully extended position and according to the LaVanture factory, they cannot be unlocked. DO NOT FULLY EXTEND. The only solution is to replace. LaVanture.com Part number LGPG6-200-40. $12.50 each with $10.00 shipping.
Now wouldn't it have been nice to have this pointed out in the customer delivery.
For those about to take delivery mention this to your dealer. For Grand Design a caution or warning sticker would be a great "do better". Don't know what other GD Models have this same product.

This is the link to order direct. https://industrialhardwaredirect.com/

Happy 2021 Camping!

Mauiboy

[waynehurley5]

Thanks for the heads up

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[OurNewEra]

Are you going to install some type of safety cable to keep it from fully opening again? Some type of tether to limit how high it can open.

That is a really bad, bad design

[Mauiboy]

A tether of some sort is a great idea. Thanks.

[Alfredo]

A tether of some sort is a great idea. Thanks.

can you install bigger gas shocks?

[jasonjlawton]

Thanks for the heads up

[Butcher]

This sounds like a really fishy answer and that answer is full of holes.

The gas strut needs to hold the object up. When the strut is not attached, it goes to full extension. When you lift the object, it should be able to go to max extension [which is the full length of the strut]. So, it most likely comes fully extended [I fix cars and they all come extended] and has been extended for the days/weeks/months while shipping to wherever their destination is.

A bit of common sense would say the entire answer from the factory is BS and I certainly would take it to the next level of support if someone gave me that answer. What is wrong with companies and the people they hire? There is no pride anymore.

This warning is useless except to tell you if the bed does not close, the strut is probably bad and should be detached before you get back to bed.