Bottom Electric Step Flex

I have seen some steps that had braces that were slightly bent. This slight bend caused the bar to act more like a spring than a brace. I think this is caused by people stepping on the steps while they are extending but before they have stopped movement completely.

gjtrafl wrote:
On my electric steps, the bottom step shows considerable flex. Makes you feel very unstable when you take that first step from the ground up.

This coach is new to me. And I have a total of 3 steps. Otherwise they work great.

Any suggestions on anything that can be done to help the situation?

Many thanks!

Since your motorhome is 10 years old it's possible that the steps have started to come loose or have cracked at the attachment points. At least that's what happened to the steps on our 2001 Winnebago Adventurer. As a stop gap I installed a support we purchased from Camping World. It worked fine as long as the motorhome wasn't lowered, or the engine started with the steps extended.

Eventually I had to remove the steps for a permanent repair. In our case the steps were held in place by 4 studs mounted in a sheet metal plate. The studs extended through the top plate of the stairs and held them in place with a washer and nut. The sheet metal plate started to crack around where the studs were mounted.

The permanent repair consisted of adding 7 gauge plate with clearance holes drilled for each stud and welding the cracks in the original plate. Once the original plate was repaired the 7 gauge plate was welded over it, and the studs welded to the new plate. The stairs were then reattached to the new plate.

The new assembly was far more rigid than the original and no longer required the additional support leg.

Posted By: krivanj on 01/18/16 06:44am

I will mention that on my steps, I only have two, the manual explains about two stops under the stairs that can be adjusted with wrenches to keep the steps steady when down. Mine are Kwikee and this may only be available its two step systems. When I did this, the steps went from wiggly to rock solid.
The Kwikee step manuals can be found online.

Try the above first.....Works for me.
I have three steps.....Four stops. Two on each side on the upper and two on the bottom. Easy fix.
While you're at it check the mounting bolts. If the whole step unit is loose there are lot of things you can do, but try adjusting per the manual first.

On my Tradewinds, the steps were attached to framing with 4 3/8" carriage bolts... the head of the bolts actually pulled thru the framing... I had to use large, thru hardened flat washers to support the bolt heads

Many thanks for the info Pass42!

The ONLY adjustments on Kwikee steps are cam-adjustments. They are concentric adjustments that are used to match the end of the step travel to the end of the motor limit. They have absolutely nothing to do with stability of the steps. They only way they could stabilize the steps is for them to be BEHIND the step side rails so that they would SUPPORT the steps. Well, the only way for them to do that would be for the steps to pass them up while extending and then sit on them at the end of travel. That's not what happens.


The step motor and gear box have a limited travel. Those cam adjustments, when adjusted correctly, will match the stop point of the motor and gear box. What that does is, provides additional stops so that the motor does not drive the gear box gears any further and therefore could cause potential damage to them. It's happened to many on here, including mine.

As has been stated, several times, the only real way for the steps to be ridged is for them to me mounted on something that is ridged in the first place. If one has the ability, the tools, the fabrication skills etc. needed for a bolstering of the mounting system, then you will have ridged, non-spongy steps.

I know the OP stated he wanted a permanent fix to this situation. Well, the only way for this to happen is if he climbs underneath the coach and, inspects just what kind of action is happening while someone else steps up and down on the last (or first step from the ground)and see just EXACTLY what is flexing, be it the mounting structure or, the step paralleling arms themselves. I strongly suspect its the mounting system.

Until a permanent remedy is put into place, while the OP might not be too interested in doing it, I strongly suggest using an adjustable step support to help provide stability to that entire structure so that no more potential damage can occur. Yes, this needs to be done each and every time you setup for base camp and, yes it can cause damage if, IF, one forgets that step saver is there and either turns the ignition key on and closes the door or, has the door closed and starts the coach, same thing.

I have a warning tag on my steering wheel that warns me of the step saver in place. That way I'm reminded of it when I either need to make leveling adjustments (rare) or, we're ready to depart. It takes about 5-10 second to place that step saver under the steps, when the leveling is completed and, about the same to remove it when we're heading out.
Scott

Three steps put a lot of down leverage on the frame, would check it, make sure it hase nothing broke.