New stairs

Pinstriper · April 14, 2017, 08:06:24 PM

I neglected to get "before" pics, but I just replaced our one-step with a two-step. Ground to the floor is 24", so that's 2x 12" steps, not very comfortable or safe, as you all well know.

The original was mounted on 4" drop outriggers welded to the frame. These were cut off, and new mounting plates were welded in place to support the different bolt holes.

The new step now gives us 2x9" drops, with a third step of just 5 or 6" at the bottom. Couldn't make it all even, but they are not such large leaps. The new steps are also 24" wide instead of 20", harder to miss a step that way.

The steps came from etrailer. Rubber tread surface (not shown) came from Harbor Freight. The cutting and welding was done by a guy down in Newberg who specializes in aluminum boat customizations and also custom trailers and truck racks.

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Merlin · April 14, 2017, 08:28:55 PM

Great job. Sure beats carrying around a separate step like we do. When I go out the welding place to have my rear end reinforced, I think I'll ask about whether they could help with new step supports if I bring them the steps. What's the model # of those etrailer steps?

Diversteve · April 14, 2017, 08:38:41 PM

We made the same modification to ours.
The extra width made a big difference.

gbpack · April 14, 2017, 09:15:21 PM

Looks great! Sure is nicer than carrying around the step stool that we have! Nice job!

Pinstriper · April 14, 2017, 09:39:07 PM

Quote from: Merlin on April 14, 2017, 08:28:55 PM
Great job. Sure beats carrying around a separate step like we do. When I go out the welding place to have my rear end reinforced, I think I'll ask about whether they could help with new step supports if I bring them the steps. What's the model # of those etrailer steps?

https://www.etrailer.com/RV_Stairs_and_Steps/Stromberg_Carlson/SMFP-2100.html

So, under $100 for the steps, and $250 to the welder, who also spend 90 minutes shooting the bull with me about fishing and stuff and invited me on his boat to go fishing. SCORE !

DavidM · April 15, 2017, 09:51:35 AM

Could one of these be installed without welding? I can remove the existing support with an angle grinder, but I don't think I would go to the effort of finding an aluminum welder to add the new supports for the Stromberg steps.

I can build up thickness with multiple layers of aluminum plate and angle, but would need to make the attachment with bolts. Maybe you can through bolt to the aluminum floor as long as they clear the door opening and use carriage bolts so that the inside is minimally impacted. I need to look carefully to see.

David

Pinstriper · April 15, 2017, 11:42:41 AM

Steel stairs and aluminum frame, so it's not a weld install for us. It's a bolt-on install, but you need something to bolt it to.

The aluminum floor itself is not structurally strong enough. You could drill into the frame, but not get a carriage bolt in. You'd have to use a large machine screw and I'd worry about it stripping the hole.

My guy did the right thing (and what the factory did): weld a mounting plate to the frame and bolt to that with carriage bolts. Oh, and unlike the factory he used stainless bolts. And his plate was flush with the bottom of the frame, and didn't add additional drop (which is why the drop was 12"). He cut the old aluminum brackets off with a grinder.

mojospeople · April 16, 2017, 11:47:22 AM

Nice!
I love that our 2017 16 TBS came with the wider double step. I'm guessing it had to since it sits higher than our 13 RDB camper did (15" wheels vs 14"). However I do still find myself using our portable step. Especially if we find the campsite isn't level and the door side of the camper has to be raised. I finally got some step covers to help cut down on the amount of dirt we're dragging in. I also finally got the old red dog to use the steps instead of trying to just jump in from the ground to the camper. The young black dog however likes to show he can easily jump it all. His day will come....

leslie · April 20, 2017, 01:26:41 PM

Those new steps look good. Much easier in and out.

ammobob · April 30, 2017, 06:26:34 PM

Nice job and good retro fit.

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Pinstriper · April 30, 2017, 06:33:54 PM

Quote from: Ammobob on April 30, 2017, 06:26:34 PM
Nice job and good retro fit.

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About time you showed up.

ammobob · May 01, 2017, 06:41:26 PM

Quote from: Pinstriper on April 30, 2017, 06:33:54 PM
Quote from: Ammobob on April 30, 2017, 06:26:34 PM
Nice job and good retro fit.

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About time you showed up.

Yea been a long winter and lots of planning on the new construction. Need to get out soon cus I am going stir crazy. We have a short trip planned for Memorial Day weekend. Would love to get back up there and get some fishing in again 😉.