Strengthening hatch lift struts to hold spare tire?

[Philberto]

That's just it... Either I hinge the top of it separately, making sure that the new hinges are in-line with the old ones, just offset to the left or right, to prevent binding, or I hinge them to the roof, and make the tire assembly a completely separate liftgate that operates independently from the actual liftgate... I'm going to be making my rear cargo area first, then I'm going to worry about this, but I also need to find a good fabricator, and may end up making the trip to see Neil after talking with him about it for a bit.

[bgwolfpack]

So Phil, did you and Neil ever discuss this? Any ideas on his part?

[Philberto]

I haven't talked to Neil yet... holidays have been hectic for me. I'm thinking I may just add two more hinges, another pair of lift struts, and see how that works. I'll update you when I find the specs on the existing struts.

[teebes]

I wouldn't worry about finding the info on the current struts. They simply aren't strong enough.

On my trailer I have a similar scenario you are looking into, spare tire on the rear gate w/ gas struts. I took the spare off the other day, opened the door and had a really, really hard/annoying time trying to pull the hatch back down! Those fuchers are strong when there isn't the proper weight to balance them out.

[Philberto]

I was just looking for the info on the current struts to calculate how powerful a strut I need to compensate for the added weight without going overboard. I had considered the issue of being without a spare tire, and that is why I may go with two struts on each side, so I can disconnect one if I'm without the spare tire.