STEP REPLACEMENT

[kycamper]

It's always something!! The retractable step on our 21 RBS doesn't make sense. There is a 25 1/2" drop from the door bottom to the ground. The step is mounted at 11" down from the door bottom ( normal max. riser height is 8" ) leaving over 14" from the ground to the first step!!! My attempt to "fix" this was to fabricate an adjustable first step using leveling blocks ( see another thread ). This isn't cutting it. The step up to the door is unsafe. I have started a search for a two step replacement. CL uses Flexco Products ( made in USA!! ), which are " notched" to work with the aluminum flanges. The two step set ups I am seeing don't look like they would work. The step wants to be mounted almost flush with the existing brackets ( at 8" down from the door bottom ). The fold down wants to be 8" below that step. Three rises of 8" each. Safe, easy to negotiate and meets building codes!!! Where in the world am I going to find a workable replacement?? Amy has moved this upgrade ahead of all others....

HELP! 

[daplumbr]

We went to an RV show last weekend and saw a huge variety of steps. I picked up a general RV parts catalog at the show and see that there are 6 pages of steps! If you want to Internet search some possibilities for fit, here are some manufacturers:

KwiKee
Lippert
Stromberg-Carlson
Elkhart Tool and Die
Hickory Springs
Prest-o-fit
Safety Step

[charliem]

[font size="3"]I found the OEM steps similarly lacking. The single step is too far below the trailer floor and never at the right height above the ground. I did considerable research looking for a two step assembly, but never found a solution. The problem is finding one that can be mounted without major frame modification and one that would have a top step closer to the floor level. The combined height of the main frame and flooring members is a disadvantage in this case.  So we use a portable two step aluminum stool, though many use cheaper plastic models. The advantage of the aluminum model is it folds for storage and is very sturdy and rugged. The disadvantage is cost. If you're interested I can look for links.
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[kycamper]

Thanks. I'll look at those sites. Did you see any new CampLites at the show? Any new " must haves"

[kycamper]

Thanks Charliem.....Yes I guess I'd consider a separate unit. If the top step could be mounted to the existing brackets at that level, it is 8" up to the floor. I wonder if a two step unit ( about $100 +/_ ) could be modified at its flange....cut down and bent to be drilled for attachment to the existing mounting brackets ??  I may be dreaming here, but I would consider modifying one if it would fold up after I'm done. I'm on a mission here, and I don't give up easily. I WON'T build steps out of wood, though!!! I can't believe this isn't a bigger issue with CL. I bet the people buying these units aren't as limber as they used to be, and 14" and then 11" is a BIG step to deal with.  

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Gleamb,

Good luck on your mission. I looked at literally dozens of step sets and never found on that could be modified to work. Width and step set mounting could be accommodated, but I never could overcome the distance below the floor at which the assembly had to be mounted. The requirements of first step open height and providing space into which the steps must stow are conflicting. If you find a solution I'd be glad to hear it, but for now I've become accustomed to the portable two step stool solution. Works every time. Let me know what you come up with........               
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[pinstriper]

I am also very interested in this. Mrs. Pin is not a tall lady, and she has trouble with the steps. We bought an aluminum folding step, but it's something extra to bring along, etc. And the dogs, of course, just see it as something to jump over to the already high floor.

Money solves, everything, I guess. It'd be cool if a 2-step, electric retracting unit could be made to work.

[kycamper]

The most attractive unit I see is the Hickory Springs 952242RC Double Radius Camper Step on Amazon and other sites. Second was Stromberg-Carlson SMFP-2100 Flexco. If the steps mounted on the SIDES of the existing aluminum supports, instead of bolting UNDER them, the unit could be raised 2" and the top step would be closer to the floor. Would it close??  I can't seem to get shop drawings for the steps. I might call factory when I get home. I respect what you say about the problems associated with this fix. Wish we could ask CL for help.

[daplumbr]

This one is worth solving because many of us would like a lower rise to the steps. One more thing to consider is adequate ground clearance when stowed. For now, we are likely to go with the folding portable step idea. 

There were no Camplites at the show we attended. We went to get ideas for mods and for tables. I'm pleased to say this forum is a much better source of ideas for mods than an RV show. The stuff there was all very glitzy, but conventional and uninspiring. The crap they put on the RV tires at the show made them so shiny I could have used them for a shaving mirror. 

gleamb: check my PM to you about a table. 

[pinstriper]

The CL FACTORY ! That's brilliant !

You guys, you guys ! Here's what we do...

Next time some newbie rolls by saying "hey, we're long time tent campers and are collecting our nickels and our nerves thinking about a travel trailer, and whadya say about these here Camplites..." you know the posts...here's what we do...

We tell them the steps are gawdawful, and the only way to get it right it to custom order a powered electric 2-step. Tinkering Technie or maybe Fast Eddie can photoshop something blurry, and plausible, and claim they had this done on theirs...then when the rube...I mean, the Valuable New Forum Member...picks up their trailer, we can ask them to post the specs and drawing of what the factory invented for them.

Then we all get those. Easy peasey, lemon squeezey.

[leslie]

I went to a Camping World store and purchased an aluminum stepping stool. Works great. I have arthritis and there is no way I could make it into the Camplite without it.

Camping World had several different stepping stools for sale. It might be worth a trip to a store to see them in person.

[mitch]

[quote timestamp="1423365717" source="/post/6606/thread" author="@pinstriper"]The CL FACTORY ! That's brilliant !

You guys, you guys ! Here's what we do...

Next time some newbie rolls by saying "hey, we're long time tent campers and are collecting our nickels and our nerves thinking about a travel trailer, and whadya say about these here Camplites..." you know the posts...here's what we do...

We tell them the steps are gawdawful, and the only way to get it right it to custom order a powered electric 2-step. Tinkering Technie or maybe Fast Eddie can photoshop something blurry, and plausible, and claim they had this done on theirs...then when the rube...I mean, the Valuable New Forum Member...picks up their trailer, we can ask them to post the specs and drawing of what the factory invented for them.

Then we all get those. Easy peasey, lemon squeezey.
[/quote]You're a funny man!

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/6604/thread" timestamp="1423364261" author="@gleamb"]The most attractive unit I see is the Hickory Springs 952242RC Double Radius Camper Step on Amazon and other sites. Second was Stromberg-Carlson SMFP-2100 Flexco. If the steps mounted on the SIDES of the existing aluminum supports, instead of bolting UNDER them, the unit could be raised 2" and the top step would be closer to the floor. Would it close??  I can't seem to get shop drawings for the steps. I might call factory when I get home. I respect what you say about the problems associated with this fix. Wish we could ask CL for help.[/quote][font size="3"]Take a look at the Lippert web site [a href="http://lci1.com/products-visual/"]http://lci1.com/products-visual/[/a]. They make a bunch of RV products. Scroll down the Body[/font] [font size="3"]column for several lines of steps. Don't know if there's something there, but maybe.
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[font size="3"]Thanks to Farmboy for the find.
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[charliem]

[quote source="/post/6604/thread" timestamp="1423364261" author="@gleamb"]If the steps mounted on the SIDES of the existing aluminum supports, instead of bolting UNDER them, the unit could be raised 2" and the top step would be closer to the floor.
[/quote][font size="3"]I looked at that approach and it might work with 24" steps. You would have to remove the lower horizontal portion of the existing aluminum brackes to clear the steps if they are mounted inside the brackets. If the steps mount outside the brackets you would still want to remove the lower surfaces for toe safety. Could be done. Good luck.
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[kycamper]

Charliem, the more I think about it, the more certain I am that if we can install a two step unit on the OUTSIDE of the aluminum angle and not bolt it UNDER those angles, it just might work. I'd like to know the exact inside measurement of the top step at the bracket to be certain I could clear 24 1/2", outside to outside of existing angle brackets. Think I 'll take a chance, when we get home.