I have experienced that same cold weather phenomenon.  I bought 2 of the
"heavy duty" struts from BusDepot to replace the one standard and one
heavy duty that is the OEM configuration.  I did this mainly because I
sometimes hang a bicycle from the hatch and with 2 heavy duty struts the
hatch will stay up with the bicycle attached.

Anyway, I've gone through two northern Maine winters with those HD
struts, using the van as a daily driver, and ... so far ... the struts
still work as they did when I put them on.

Mike
Houlton, Maine

garyowen wrote:
> Anyone have suggestion on gas tubes that should hold rear door up.
>
> They don't seem to survive cold winters.
>
> Are there preferred quality/types/brands recommended for replacement?
>
> Care of future units?
>
> Garry
>