Some may remember my post about my step not retracting a few weeks back while in Stockton, TX when I posted seeking advice? Anyway, they did retract after tapping on the motor, and all was good. So I thought. Got careless and should have put sign on the door, "ensure step retracts before getting underway" until I could replace the motor. Well, we left NOLA and while going through a narrow toll booth we heard the most awful sound you would not want to hear! Crunchhh rangggg! Ordered and waiting on a new set to be installed here in Memphis tomorrow . Another sort of self inflicted costly mistake. Note to self. Add Steps retracted to check off list. Hope this will save someone else from this some day. Ironically we saw a class A earlier going down the Hiway with his steps out but were not in a position to warn them.

Valkyriebush wrote:Some may remember my post about my step not retracting a few weeks back while in Stockton, TX when I posted seeking advice? Anyway, they did retract after tapping on the motor, and all was good. So I thought. Got careless and should have put sign on the door, "ensure step retracts before getting underway" until I could replace the motor. Well, we left NOLA and while going through a narrow toll booth we heard the most awful sound you would not want to hear! Crunchhh rangggg! Ordered and waiting on a new set to be installed here in Memphis tomorrow . Another sort of self inflicted costly mistake. Note to self. Add Steps retracted to check off list. Hope this will save someone else from this some day. Ironically we saw a class A earlier going down the Hiway with his steps out but were not in a position to warn them.Too bad and yes it happens often.We had ours going in and out one summer and knocking down cones in a construction area, so as soon as I pulled in somewhere, I crawled under, cut one of the wires to the motor and put a switch in series with it, along with conveniently locating it in the basement compartment behind the entrance door. Door was out of kilter some, so as soon as I straightened it up some, I haven't had to use the switch, but a least it's there, if needed.

I don't understand. Don't the steps come in when you start the engine? I beleive ours either retract when the key is on or you can't start it or move it, I could be wrong.

et2 wrote:I don't understand. Don't the steps come in when you start the engine? I beleive ours either retract when the key is on or you can't start it or move it, I could be wrong. Yes. The electric motor failed to retract them. Bad motor or contact. Not to uncommon from what I read.

We could prevent extension when the door was opened on our '02. It had a switch at the top of the interior fixed steps. Very useful in a confined space such as a WA State ferry, as we saw when a new Mercedes was hit when the occupants of the class A alongside it opened the entry door.I understand that the ability to defeat the automatic opening feature resulted from accident repercussions when an RV occupant fell out because the steps hadn't extended.

Mine failed to retract when engine was started, bent them badly and had to replace. I now look outside through the door window or passenger window before moving.

Electric steps Part II Crunchhh! | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

frankdamp
Explorer
Aug 02, 2015
We could prevent extension when the door was opened on our '02. It had a switch at the top of the interior fixed steps. Very useful in a confined space such as a WA State ferry, as we saw when a new Mercedes was hit when the occupants of the class A alongside it opened the entry door.

I understand that the ability to defeat the automatic opening feature resulted from accident repercussions when an RV occupant fell out because the steps hadn't extended.
Valkyriebush
Explorer II
Aug 02, 2015
et2 wrote:
I don't understand. Don't the steps come in when you start the engine? I beleive ours either retract when the key is on or you can't start it or move it, I could be wrong.

Yes. The electric motor failed to retract them. Bad motor or contact. Not to uncommon from what I read.
et2
Explorer
Aug 02, 2015
I don't understand. Don't the steps come in when you start the engine? I beleive ours either retract when the key is on or you can't start it or move it, I could be wrong.
tropical36
Explorer
Aug 02, 2015
Valkyriebush wrote:
Some may remember my post about my step not retracting a few weeks back while in Stockton, TX when I posted seeking advice? Anyway, they did retract after tapping on the motor, and all was good. So I thought. Got careless and should have put sign on the door, "ensure step retracts before getting underway" until I could replace the motor. Well, we left NOLA and while going through a narrow toll booth we heard the most awful sound you would not want to hear! Crunchhh rangggg! Ordered and waiting on a new set to be installed here in Memphis tomorrow . Another sort of self inflicted costly mistake. Note to self. Add Steps retracted to check off list. Hope this will save someone else from this some day. Ironically we saw a class A earlier going down the Hiway with his steps out but were not in a position to warn them.

Too bad and yes it happens often.
We had ours going in and out one summer and knocking down cones in a construction area, so as soon as I pulled in somewhere, I crawled under, cut one of the wires to the motor and put a switch in series with it, along with conveniently locating it in the basement compartment behind the entrance door. Door was out of kilter some, so as soon as I straightened it up some, I haven't had to use the switch, but a least it's there, if needed.

Forum Discussion

Electric steps Part II Crunchhh!

14 Replies

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Electric

Electric steps help?

Kwikee electric step

Electrical assistance

Electric steps