I'm not a mechanical engineer, but I've seen lift struts encased in square
tubing. There are two square tubes, sized to slide into each other. They
are attached to the pivots on the top and bottom of the trailer using the
same bolts that attach the gas strut to the trailer.

It would appear that the square tubing would support the gas struts and
prevent or reduce the tendency to bend.

But, then again, I'm not a mechanical engineer.

wrote in message
...
On Wednesday, November 27, 2013 2:05:09 PM UTC-5, Steve Leonard wrote:
Are they bending when extended or retracted? Check on the mechanism to
make sure you aren't getting something nearly on center when open. If
you go there, loads go out of sight high, and you can bend things when
you try to move it back the other way.



Steve Leonard

They bend when bringing the top down. They bend to the back of the
trailer.
The trailer weighs in at 1200lbs. sq tube truss construction covered in
aluminum sheeting. suspect from the size of the top it weighs in at a
good 600lbs+.