NE1 used gas charged struts as trunk support ?

Nice drawing, and I get what your saying.
I'll have to check that out, but I think I would have to buy some longer, and very strong struts.
In your scenario your attaching to the u shaped part of the hinge about 6" from where it pivots. And trying to push the weight of a 3ft long trunk from that point.
Its kind of like looking at a crow bar, trying to lift the long end by pushing on the short end, that's going to take a lot of pressure.