Gas Lift Struts for Boots, Bonnets, Canopies & Trailer Lids
Gas Lift Struts for Boots, Bonnets, Canopies & Trailer Lids in Gauteng
Gas lift struts matched to the correct length and force rating for boots, bonnets, canopy doors and trailer lids. Correct fitment, 24-month warranty, same-day dispatch available across Gauteng. Call +27 71 080 5429.
Gas Lift Struts Explained, One Product, Four Applications
Gas lift struts are the sealed cylinders that hold a boot lid, bonnet, canopy door or trailer lid open once you lift it. Inside the tube sits pressurised nitrogen gas and a small amount of oil. Push the lid down and the rod slides into the cylinder, compressing the gas. Lift the lid and the trapped gas expands, pushing the rod back out and carrying the weight for you. It is a simple mechanism, and it is the same mechanism whether the strut sits under your car boot, on your bakkie canopy, or on a trailer lid at a Gauteng caravan park.
Key Takeaways
- Gas lift struts use pressurised nitrogen to hold boots, bonnets, canopies and trailer lids open
- Correct sizing depends on extended length and Newton (N) force rating
- Force ratings for these applications typically run from 100N to over 500N
- End fittings must match, ball socket, eyelet or bracket
- Gas It Lift stocks gas lift struts for boots, bonnets, canopies and trailers, with 24-month warranty and same-day dispatch
Choosing the Right Gas Lift Struts
Getting the correct gas lift strut comes down to three measurements. Length, force, and end fitting. Get any one of the three wrong and the lid either will not stay open, slams shut, or simply will not fit the mounting points.
How to Measure Length and Force
- Length: Measure your old strut from the centre of one mounting ball socket to the other while fully extended.
- Force rating: Look for the Newton (N) figure stamped on the barrel of your old strut, for example 150N or 500N.
- End fittings: Match the connector type exactly, ball joints, eyelets, or brackets, so the strut seats correctly.
A gas lift strut is a type of gas spring, sealed nitrogen-filled cylinders used across vehicle panels, furniture, and industrial equipment worldwide. Gas It Lift supplies and fits these across Gauteng, including gas struts in Centurion and gas struts in Midrand.
Gas Lift Struts by Application
| Application | Typical Force Range | Common Fitting |
|---|---|---|
| Boot and tailgate lids | 100N – 350N | Ball socket |
| Bonnet lids | 250N – 500N | Ball socket or bracket |
| Canopy side and rear doors | 150N – 400N | Ball socket or eyelet |
| Trailer and camper lids | 200N – 500N+ | Bracket or eyelet |
If you are replacing a worn unit, our guide to gas strut replacement walks through the process step by step, and our page on bonnet shock cost factors covers what affects pricing on the bonnet side specifically.
Gas Lift Struts for Canopies and Trailers
Canopy and trailer applications put gas lift struts under harder conditions than a car boot. Dust, vibration on gravel roads, and repeated opening on farm and game-reserve trips wear a strut down faster. A bakkie canopy typically needs two struts per side door and sometimes a pair on the rear window, each matched to the door weight and hinge position. Trailer lids, particularly on camping trailers and caravans, often carry heavier boards and need struts rated well above what a car boot would use.
Gas It Lift stocks gas lift struts for trailers and replacement canopy shocks across the common South African trailer brands and canopy fitments, including hard-to-find lengths for older or imported units.
Signs Your Strut Needs Replacing
- The lid drops on its own within a few seconds of being opened
- You need to push the lid up by hand to keep it open
- The rod feels loose, sticky, or leaves an oily residue where it meets the cylinder
- The strut makes a hissing sound when compressed
As a trusted gas lift struts supplier in South Africa, we carry stock for boots, bonnets, canopies and trailers under one roof, so you are not chasing separate suppliers for each application. Call our team with the make, model or trailer brand and we will confirm the correct strut before you order.
✆ Call +27 71 080 5429Our Services
Everything you need for your gas struts, in one place.
Correct Sizing
We match length, force rating and end fitting so your lid stays open every time, first time.
Same-Day Dispatch
Orders placed before noon go out same day, with nationwide courier delivery across South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about gas lift struts for boots, bonnets, canopies and trailer lids.
How do I know what size gas struts I need?
Measure your old strut from the centre of one ball socket to the other while fully extended, and check the Newton (N) force rating stamped on the barrel. Match the end fitting type too, ball socket, eyelet or bracket. Call us with these details and we will confirm the correct gas lift strut for your boot, bonnet, canopy or trailer.
Where can I find gas lift struts in South Africa?
Gas It Lift is a gas lift struts supplier based in Gauteng, stocking struts for boots, bonnets, canopies and trailers with nationwide courier delivery. We serve Johannesburg, Pretoria, Centurion, Midrand, and the East, West, North and South Rand, with same-day dispatch available for orders placed before noon.
What gas struts can lift 100kg?
The Newton rating needed depends on the leverage and mounting angle, not just the raw weight, so a 100kg lid does not translate directly to a single N figure. As a guide, heavier bonnet and trailer lids often use struts rated between 300N and 500N. Send us the lid weight and mounting points and we will work out the correct rating.
How much weight can gas struts lift?
A single gas lift strut can typically support loads corresponding to force ratings from around 50N up to 1500N or more, depending on the cylinder size. Most boot, bonnet, canopy and trailer applications use two struts working together, so the combined force rating matters more than any single unit. We size struts in pairs where the application calls for it.
Can I replace gas lift struts myself?
Most boot, bonnet and canopy struts are straightforward to swap with basic hand tools once you have the correct replacement. Trailer and heavier canopy applications sometimes need an extra pair of hands to support the lid during fitting. Our team can talk you through fitting over the phone, or book an installation with us in Gauteng.
Do gas lift struts wear out over time?
Yes. Nitrogen gas struts lose pressure gradually through the seal over years of use, and that loss speeds up with dust, vibration, and temperature swings common on Gauteng roads. A strut that once held a lid open firmly will start to droop, then fail to hold it open at all. Replacing both struts on a pair at the same time keeps the lift even on both sides.
Are boot, bonnet, canopy and trailer struts interchangeable?
No, each application uses a different length, force rating and end fitting suited to its specific lid weight and hinge geometry. A bonnet strut fitted to a boot lid, for example, would likely be too strong or the wrong length. Always match the strut to the specific application rather than swapping parts between them.
Need Gas Lift Struts? Call Us Today.
Speak directly to our team. We stock gas lift struts for boots, bonnets, canopies and trailer lids, with same-day dispatch available.
