We have a 2014 Cougar 26sab that has been just a fantastic 5er. Only complaint we've (DW) has had with it was the steps leading up to the bedroom. There is/was 2 steps each bout 9 1/2" high. DW decided that was not going to cut it so she instructed me to modify em into a 3 step setup. The problem with adding a 3rd step was ...1, the pantry door opened over the first step & 2ndly the louver opening for the furnace was right in front of the first step. So adding a 3rd step to make em a different height, presented a challenge in design. This is what I came up with: Each step is 6 1/2 inches high, both bottom & middle platforms are removable. Middle platform so the pantry can be opened & bottom platform so slide can fully close. Minor inconveniences. Complete build cost me a little under 50 bucks. Only had to buy the plywood. Frame is 1/2" Birch plywood I stained dark cherry to match cabinets, platforms are also 1/2" plywood w/cherry laminate flooring (from S&B job) glued on top. 2 screws hold the frame to the steps & complete setup can be removed if need be.This pic is of the original stepsThe next 4 pics are the progression from start to finished product. Neat thing about this is they cover the existing steps so no dismantling the old steps was necessary.

Very nice! I was expecting to see the originals ripped out. Like your solution much better ;)Have you considered shortening your pantry door, or turning it into two doors? Maybe making the bottom a cubby accessed from inside the cabinet by lifting a shelf?Could eliminate removing the steps.

looks good but I think with your woodworking skills I would just have made a new door that was short enough to clear new steps.bumpy

This is very a very neat DIY project, thanks for sharing it. It looks like it was made this way, you are very good at what you do. I commend you on a job well done.

Thanks all .. Diskdoctr & Bumpy... There are 2 pantry doors, an upper and a lower both having 3 shelves. The lower one has sliding drawers (as seen in pic #2) that I built so I didn't want to change the door to be able to slide both drawers out. Also if DW gets a wild hair and wants to up or downgrade, all I have to do is remove the 2 screws, lift the whole setup out and it returns to the original steps. That's why it was done this way.Milo

Minor Step Modification | Good Sam Community

TNGW1500SE
Explorer
Oct 20, 2014
Looks great
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Oct 20, 2014
Very nice! I was expecting to see the originals ripped out. Like your solution much better ;)

Have you considered shortening your pantry door, or turning it into two doors? Maybe making the bottom a cubby accessed from inside the cabinet by lifting a shelf?

Could eliminate removing the steps.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Oct 20, 2014
looks good but I think with your woodworking skills I would just have made a new door that was short enough to clear new steps.
bumpy
Grandpere
Explorer
Oct 20, 2014
This is very a very neat DIY project, thanks for sharing it. It looks like it was made this way, you are very good at what you do. I commend you on a job well done.
milo
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2014
Thanks all .. Diskdoctr & Bumpy... There are 2 pantry doors, an upper and a lower both having 3 shelves. The lower one has sliding drawers (as seen in pic #2) that I built so I didn't want to change the door to be able to slide both drawers out. Also if DW gets a wild hair and wants to up or downgrade, all I have to do is remove the 2 screws, lift the whole setup out and it returns to the original steps. That's why it was done this way.

Milo
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Oct 20, 2014
milo wrote:
Thanks all .. Diskdoctr & Bumpy... There are 2 pantry doors, an upper and a lower both having 3 shelves. The lower one has sliding drawers (as seen in pic #2) that I built so I didn't want to change the door to be able to slide both drawers out. Also if DW gets a wild hair and wants to up or downgrade, all I have to do is remove the 2 screws, lift the whole setup out and it returns to the original steps. That's why it was done this way.

Milo

makes sense but I did mean to make another door, not cut down the current one.
bumpy
Carb_Cleaner
Explorer
Oct 21, 2014
Nice engineering. Looks real good.
I see you had to shave a corner out of the second riser for the pantry door. That's a tight fit.
It appears the first step slides under, and is held by, the second riser. Is there an issue with the second step trying to flip up when you put pressure on the second platform's bullnose, or is the reveal too small to give it any leverage?
milo
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2014
Bumpy, Another reason I didn't make a new door, I don't have the machine or cutters (or access to em) to shape the stiles, rails and raised panels to match the existing doors. I just have a Shop Smith table saw & hand sanders.

Carb, Yes the 1st step does slide under the the riser for the 2nd step. No it does not have a tendency to want to flip up. It's a snug fit under the riser, in fact I had to half lap joint the edge of the platform so it would slide under it. The bottom of the both step platforms, there are runners along each side of where it sits on the riser to help keep it from moving.

Milo
Carb_Cleaner
Explorer
Oct 22, 2014
I gotcha. I'm clear on the first step being held by the riser, but I was curious about the second step and the carpeted riser. It sounds like the runners you installed under the platform act as a stop, with interference from the carpeted riser while pushing against the inside of the wood riser (which would be close to the pivot point) to keep the second step from flipping up in the rear. I can follow that. Thanks.
sjturbo
Explorer
Oct 28, 2014
You just gotta love good looking woodwork!! And engineering improvements!! Very nice job!

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