To my knowledge, Eberle trailers didn't have lift struts. The user had to raise the lid manually and then swing down the support legs one at a time (much easier with two people). This was before the Cobras and Komets started showing up with gas springs. The advantage of gas springs is that the force declines much, much less than metal springs as the lid goes up. The disadvantage is that gas springs lose pressure over time, especially if they're mounted upside down (i.e., with the piston rod facing up in the stored position, allowing the internal oil to drain away from the seal). Obviously even metal springs don't necessarily last forever.

Chip Bearden