Is my drop-down bed functioning as it should?

[Cynicalmick]

Good morning all from Czech Republic, and our first partly sunny day since we left the UK!
Here is my question, I/we have an older (2008) Dethleffs I7870 esprit, it's an A class with a drop down bed over the cab area. The bed has always seemed rather heavy to lift into the parked position , and once there would drop down under it's own weight if it wasn't for the beautifully engineered seat belt buckle! that holds it up.
I just assumed that this was normal until I watched a YouTube video recently where the owner of a Hymer with a very similar drop down bed demonstrated that his bed stays in the elevated position by itself, and the strap (seat belt) is there as an extra precaution.
(Seat) belt and braces so to speak.
And so, finally, my question is, is my experience normal, or are my gas struts knackered?

 

[Guigsy]

I agree. Probably tired gas struts. Mine takes a good pull to get past the midpoint where it wants to settle in the lower position. Straps are just backup.

 

[Jim]

Hi Mick, Sounds like you need new struts. They should pretty much keep the bed up on their own and you should only need the seat belt for travel.

I've bought from these guys before, they were really helpful in getting the perfect spec replacement https://www.sgs-engineering.com/gas-struts

 

[nicholsong]

After seeing the thread title I thought there might be some humorous comments.