How to Choose the Right Long Gas Struts for Bigger Opening

Most people searching for long gas struts think they just need a longer part. But in reality, they are trying to solve one frustrating problem:“Why doesn’t my lid open high enough?” Whether it’s a truck canopy, storage box, or industrial cover, limited opening space quickly turns into a daily inconvenience. That’s why more users are turning to long gas spring and long stroke gas spring solutions—to get a wider, more usable opening angle.

Here’s the key insight most suppliers don’t tell you: You don’t actually want a longer gas strut — you want a bigger opening angle. This problem usually comes from:

• Stroke too short → lid stops halfway
• Overall length too short → limited lift range
• Poor mounting geometry → inefficient movement

That’s why simply switching to extra long gas struts sometimes works… and sometimes doesn’t.

Understanding this will save you from choosing the wrong product.

• Long gas spring → increases total extended length
• Long stroke gas spring → increases movement distance

If your lid opens but not high enough → you need a long stroke gas spring, If your structure needs more reach → you need a long gas spring or extra long gas struts. In many real applications, the best solution is a combination of both.

Here’s where many buyers go wrong: They upgrade to a longer gas strut… but nothing really improves. Why? Because the issue isn’t always the gas strut — it’s the installation. Before choosing a longer unit, check:
Distance between mounting points
Installation angle
Lever arm position

👉 A properly positioned long gas spring can outperform a poorly installed extra long gas strut.
👉 The best results often come from: long stroke gas spring + optimized mounting position.

There are several situations where upgrading is the only real fix:

• Large lids with wide hinge spacing
• Deep storage compartments
• Camper shells and truck canopies
• Industrial equipment with oversized covers

In these cases, standard sizes simply won’t work. Extra long gas springs provide the extended reach and lifting range required for these demanding applications.

Choosing the right size is critical. Below is a typical reference for long gas spring configurations:

When standard sizes don’t work, customization becomes the only solution. You may need custom long gas springs if:

• Your lid is oversized
• Mounting space is limited
• Opening angle requirements are specific
• Standard stroke is not enough

This is where extra long gas struts are commonly engineered to match exact requirements.

If you’re comparing gas strut suppliers, the biggest concerns are always:

• Quality
• Price
• Custom capability
• Delivery time

GASTAC provides long gas struts with quality comparable to leading brands, while offering:

• More competitive pricing
• Support for small orders
• Fast production and delivery
• Full customization for long gas spring and long stroke gas spring designs

Whether you need standard sizes or extra long gas struts for special applications, GASTAC gas springs offers flexible solutions without the high cost of traditional brands.

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to buy long gas struts. It’s to:

• Open higher
• Operate easier
• Use your space better

Sometimes that means a long gas spring. Sometimes a long stroke gas spring. And in more demanding setups, extra long gas struts are the only real solution. The key is choosing the right combination of length, stroke, and installation.