2019 T@B 400 BDL, under bed storage

Blueespy

We have a T@B 400 BDL 2019 and my wife is tired of having to lift the center mattress and support to gain access to the under bed storage area.  Has anyone installed Hatchlift rods to help lifting and holding open the center section?  If so, could you send some instructions/pictures to how you accomplished the task?

N7SHG_Ham

The late 2019 models came with gas struts on the center section. I would get the parts from your dealer and install those.

Tundra57

I have the struts on my 2019 tab 400 but I am away from it at the moment. Won't be able to take pics for a few weeks.

With the extra 2" topper it struggles to hold up. I may add another to help.

falcon1970

My mid-2019 model year (NOV 2018 build) had the struts mounted from the factory. 



The installation was poorly thought out however.  I had to move the attachment brackets.  I moved the upper attachment down by 4.5" to allow the bed to raise a bit higher.  Without that the edge of the bed was right at my nose.  Now it is completely out of the way.



The lower attachment brackets were poorly installed also.  Both brackets were installed upside down and the left bracket was only held by two screws--both on the very edge of the 2x4.  I also moved the lower brackets back about an inch.



 I don't have the part numbers.  Call Elsie at nuCamp and she will give them to you.  Then call a dealer and check the cost.  It might be easier to get them at an auto parts store though--certainly cheaper!  The strut body is 12" long and full extension is 20."  About 25 lbs of force will do it.  You will also need to install a couple of cabinet magnets on the front to keep the hatch closed.

Tundra57

Interesting, my December 2019 tab doesn't have any magnetic catches, but with the topper it doesn't need them in my case. Good idea moving the top brackets for more height I will do that on mine. Thanks.

Blueespy

Stopped by O'Reilly Auto parts today and they have struts but none with the mounting brackets.  Second stop was Lowes and again, struck out.  I did call Elsie and FYI the part numbers are C16-08260.  Closest dealership to me is AL, but I'll can and see if they can order and ship direct to me.  Thank you all for the comments. 

simonseyz

If @falcon1970 could take a clear picture of the label on the gas strut, they can be had on Amazon, it's a Suspa brand strut.

falcon1970

OK, here are two pics of the label on the gas struts under the bed on my 2019 TAB400.  I am surprised to see they are rated at 60 lbs.
I believe this is the spring on the Suspa website:  https://shop.suspa.com/c16-08260-gas-spring-p66.aspx.

 

simonseyz

Thanks so much for the info.

JeffroNC

Does anybody have the number for the strut on the front tub? I wonder if I can pick one of them up locally.

falcon1970

The nuCamp part numbers and prices are:

Arm—56004267 $9.20
Top Bracket—56004268 $2.10
Bottom Bracket—56004269 $2.10

The Suspa part number is: 
C16-33316
it is a 35lb force.

The problem I had in buying locally was finding the upper and lower attachment brackets.  In addition, Suspa doesn't list this particular spring arm on their web site--not to mention their prices are sky high.

I suggest you find a nuCamp dealer who doesn't inflate their profit margin on parts and order from them.

Verna

Parts markup

Here is my experience with dealers and their markup. One owner complained on the forum about an extreme markup. I contacted nüCamp and they were not happy to hear about the high markup. The dealer was contacted by nüCamp. 

It turned out to be a difference between inches and feet (as I recall). Inches were needed for the part, but the dealer gave the price as per the entire package and the price difference was considerable. Inches were calculated and sold and the owner was happy. 

If nüCamp hears about extreme markups, they will take care of it.

nüCamp does like their owners and wants to keep their business. 

JCALD

That is good to hear.