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ed monahan	Has anyone replaced their trailer shocks with anything other than the LST brand? If so, do you have the brand and part number. I kind of hate to spend $ 100 for trailer shocks since I don't use it all that much but they do need to be replaced. I can use a stick in an emergency. I checked at a local parts store and he said they didn't have anything similar.
MDProwler	Ed, Go to a local RV dealer. I found a 60 lb set slightly longer than stock and they open the lid almost vertically. They have worked out well. If you can't find them I can get them here. I'd have to recheck the price. This message has been edited by MDProwler on 09-08-2013 at 09:45 PM
ed monahan	Thanks Gary. They sent me to UHaul but the clerk was clueless. I have an RV dealer fairly close. I will give that a try.
georgieboy	Ed. I just bought new shocks. Here in California I got them at O'Reilly Auto Parts. They were the standard shocks for $20 each. Geo.
MIKE GATLIN	Ed, I have had excellent luck with off the shelf struts for the trailer. I think the load of the trunk lid and the angle that it operates is way more strut friendly than the hood application.
Larry Lord	Ed, Send me the extended length. I probably have set in stock.
ed monahan	Larry, thank you and thanks for the other replies. I took the trailer back to the rental garage, 25-30 minutes away. I will probably get back down there within a week. I should have kept one shock here at home, but I re-installed it figuring I wouldn't be using the trailer until next year, probably.
padroo	I went to Advance auto after spending some time on their website and found these and installed them on my trailer. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/PartSearchCmd?actionSrc=Form&pageId=partTypeList&searchTerm=strong+arm+4418&zoneAssigned=1&catalogId=10051&vehicleId They are made in the USA and they work OK for under $20 Made by Strong Arm model: D4418 By the way the correct name for them is "Gas Springs". This message has been edited by padroo on 09-09-2013 at 03:57 PM
ed monahan	I missed this post until just now. Thanks for the info.
ed monahan	I put on the D 4418 and they failed almost immediately. When we got back from Fla I returned them and they ordered a new set, figuring I might have gotten a bad pair. The new ones worked ONCE and then wouldn't hold up the lid. I just re-read the thread and saw that Gary said he had 60 lb struts. The D4418 are rated at 40 and the next step up is 55 so they are ordering a pair of them for me. I think the number is D4414. I will try to remember to update this thread for future reference.
catfish	many shocks.struts have been sitting on the shelf for a long time and loose there pressure,had this problem before when looking for hood shocks before lst came along.all of the ones on the shelf had lost pressure.why not install a prop rod. ------------------ This message has been edited by catfish on 11-13-2013 at 03:40 PM
ed monahan	I have a "broom handle" to hold it up but that is really inconvenient when you are loading suitcases into the trailer, since it is right in the middle of the opening. It is much easier just to lift it and have it stay up while you are loading. Many times during events I am hauling parts or boxes of shirts, etc. The original lasted at least 10 years so that is pretty good. The originals would still hold it up until a slight breeze or a slight grade would cause it to fall.
alrtg	Ed, I sent you a PM with a potential solution that I used in the past.
ed monahan	I finally got the new ones installed. They are number 4514, by Strong Arm, I think. I have to double check that to make sure. They are rated 55 lbs and the first ones were 40 lbs and they simply did not hold up the lid. These new ones do not seem to be too strong. The next one up the ladder are rated 70 lbs and I am afraid that might be a little too stiff for the hinges, which are not all that strong, watching them when I open and close the lid. I will double check that number as I left the packaging in the trailer.
ed monahan	The trailer is 30 minutes away. Next time I am down there, I will attempt to remember to check but probably won't have the keys. I haven't used the trailer in awhile.