Two steps instead of one?

[shovelhead]

[quote timestamp="1433169343" author="@charliem" source="/post/11837/thread"][quote source="/post/11834/thread" author="@whoofit" timestamp="1433168137"][p] Alright, all ideas, how about this one? With all the knee replacements going around, why not ask the Doc to build-in the padding on one knee. Then it would be a simple matter of approach with the leading foot?

You DID say all ideas... [/p][p]
[/p][p]Seriously though, thanks.[/p][/quote][font size="3"]Yes, you may be on to something. With my new knees I'm getting the GPS option and micromotors. All runs on a pair of Lithium AAs. Maybe with a little programming I could just levitate into the camper. I don't need no stinkin' steps..........[/font]
[/quote]You forgot Whoofit, I'm from the WV area. One leg is already shorter then the other to aid in that ridge runnun.......

[geo92128]

OK I did talk with the Flexco folks (supplier to LL) about steps.

1. The single step they use for LL is not compatible with two step series they make.
2. The single step is simply attached with lag screws into the frame.
3. The double or triple step assemblies they make reguire a different mounting system where the bolt must go all the way through the floor for support. There is much more stress on the frame with additional steps.

I am going with a sturdy aluminum stool for 50-60$; No significant modification to be made!

[leslie]

[p] Alright, all ideas, how about this one? With all the knee replacements going around, why not ask the Doc to build-in the padding on one knee. Then it would be a simple matter of approach with the leading foot?

You DID say all ideas... [/p][p]
[/p][p]Seriously though, thanks.[/p]

[font size="3"]Yes, you may be on to something. With my new knees I'm getting the GPS option and micromotors. All runs on a pair of Lithium AAs. Maybe with a little programming I could just levitate into the camper. I don't need no stinkin' steps..........[/font]

Lee Majors had better watch out! Charliem is the new, improved Bionic Knee Man!

[lanell]

 This is our current solution   http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/large-step-stool/69516  only 15 buckos , not fancy but it works . It also looks like they have the standard step mounted low so the framework of the step clears the trailer frame without modifications...  looks like if the step sides were notched out at the top back a spacer could be added to the welded brackets to raise the step by as much as 2" .        

[bobbie56]

[quote source="/post/11829/thread" timestamp="1433162550" author="@whoofit"]Wonder why the top step can't be padded up a couple inches?[/quote]That is what I did, I just added a 2X6 board to this step (raises it 1-3/4") seems to make all the difference.

[dh50]

Believe it or not, this is one primary reason we went with a toyhauler.  After caring for three aged parents whose final years did not allow them to walk without great personal assistance, walkers, motorized wheelchairs, etc., we figured that with a hauler, we just let the back end down and zoom on up.  That's how we plan to roll IF we must.  While we're nowhere close to this point in our lives, we have determined they'll have to catch us...we shan't go quietly to the nursing home.     

Seriously, now that our parents are a great more than just two steps ahead of us, and free from the painful constraints of this ol' world, we are more intentional about strengthening our bodies focusing on biking and activities that specifically build up our lower limbs.  Stair climbing is a good one.....just say'n.  

[silly122]

Ok so in reading this thread it appears that using the existing aluminium L bracket that's welded to the floor would cause a 2 step system to hang too far down making that first step a dousey.  What are the thoughts on cutting the bottom part of the L bracket allowing a set of steps to slide either inside or outside of the remaining part of the bracket.  Then the steps could be secured to the trailer on the side instead of on the top of the step /bottom of the L bracket.

Would this not give us the ability to adjust the right step up and down, front and back for that just right fit?  I haven't taken any measurements so this is all hypothetical, but in theory this makes sense in my "limited capacity" head

[silly122]

So I've done some measurements and the width between the aluminium L brackets is 23 15/16 if the lower part of the aluminium is cut off and the steps(replacement) width is 22 1/8 leaving a gap of 1 13/16. That in itself it workable and I could make fit.  The problem as I see it is the edge of the trailer to the frame.  The frame is 9 13/16 in from the edge of the trailer.  The replacement step I'm looking at is 12"deep making the steps extend out past the trailer while folded in by 3 3/16".  It might be possible to cut out part of the back of the step to make it fit, but you'd have to be prepared to spend the money on a step you might be throwing away and then pay someone to fix the aluminium you just cut off to test fit it.
The other option is to just bolt the steps to the lower part of the L bracket.  that will give you a first step of 4 13/16 + 2 15/16 + 4.5" = 11 19/20" drop for a first step which is pretty big.

In short, I think the only way to make a 2 step system fit would be to A) but off the lower part of the L bracket, B) cut a 3.5" notch out of the back of the step to allow the step to slide in past the frame removing the overhang.

this was measured on my 21 BHS, I guess the question is who's game to try ?

[shovelhead]

Too much ME for me.  I'm a disk array jockey (SAN Architect)

[charliem]

[font size="3"]In case you missed it, here's a link to a previous thread discussing step replacement.

[a href="http://livinlite.proboards.com/thread/786/step-replacement"]http://livinlite-owners.com/thread/786/step-replacement[/a]

My conclusion, and my wife's, is a small two step ladder or small stool is an easier solution than replacing the attached step. Easily stowed just inside the camper door or carried in the TV. Another benefit is that the stool is firmly on the ground and does not impart motion to the camper when someone enters or leaves.[/font][font size="3"] It would wake her up in the[/font][font size="3"] mornings when my 200+ pounds hit that first 11" drop on the way out.[/font][font size="3"]  The problem only gets worse when steps are added further from the camper body (2 or 3 step unit).

[attachment id="933" thumbnail="1"]



And the step ladder is handy around the campsite when you forget and roll the awning pull strap all the way up into the awning wrap.   
[/font]

[silly122]

[font size="3"]In case you missed it, here's a link to a previous thread discussing step replacement.

[a href="http://livinlite.proboards.com/thread/786/step-replacement"]http://livinlite.proboards.com/thread/786/step-replacement[/a]

My conclusion, and my wife's, is a small two step ladder or small stool is an easier solution than replacing the attached step. Easily stowed just inside the camper door or carried in the TV. Another benefit is that the stool is firmly on the ground and does not impart motion to the camper when someone enters or leaves.[/font][font size="3"] It would wake her up in the[/font][font size="3"] mornings when my 200+ pounds hit that first 11" drop on the way out.[/font][font size="3"]  The problem only gets worse when steps are added further from the camper body (2 or 3 step unit).

[url href="http://s284.photobucket.com/user/flcharliem/media/Camplite%20Uploads/Step8_zpsjrtff5xl.jpg.html"]
[img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll4/flcharliem/Camplite%20Uploads/Step8_zpsjrtff5xl.jpg"][/url]

And the step ladder is handy around the campsite when you forget and roll the awning pull strap all the way up into the awning wrap.   
[/font]

Ya we're using a foot stool ATM as well. It may be due to the cheap foot stool or the uneven ground, but we're not fans of it. With that said however, we might need to get used to it since a replacement is seeming to be a little work.

Ah well, maybe one day we'll grow a pair and I'll try something and share with everyone .

Posted using my powerful BlackBerry Z30 and probably from my 21BHS

[ammobob]

OK my preliminary drawing is done. I have 2 pieces of 1/4" aluminum diamond to work with 1 for trial and error and 1 for finished product.

[a href="http://s304.photobucket.com/user/bvabob1/media/Our%20New%20Camper/image.jpg1_zpsxpmtzya1.jpg.html"]

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Ammobob,

No nit picking here. As they say about 10,000 lawyers at the bottom of the sea, "It's a damn good start."

What happens when you set up on ground that does not exactly match the height of the two steps? Would a piano hinge at the rear of the lower step give you some adaptability? At some point you will have to jack up the lower step with Lego blocks.
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[ammobob]

Not sure but hoping that the gussets welded in gives the support that you don't need anything. If you are that high the ground would act as first step.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Roger that. I was really thinking of when the ground was too close to let you fully deploy the steps. Obviously you always not use the add on steps, but you'd lose the top step advantage you get with your solution.
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