stairs

Nv Guy wrote:

Gooma wrote:
To each there own. Ours has the fold out steps and both DW and I love them. Much more stable than the fold out kind. I am never so rushed I can't spend a few minutes adjusting the steps or cleaning them off when packing up.
If you don't like 'em don't get 'em.

In our case, when the 5th wheel is home we don't have the room to use them.

It's not a matter of "to each his own, adjusting, etc." -..:S

As the poster states above: "when the fifth wheel is home we don't have the room to use them" (whether we like the design or not).

House on one side - block wall on the other side. Approx 36" avail on each side. Even with the 3-step fold out - bottom step is about one to two inches from side of house or block wall.

~

Cptnvideo wrote:
I'm not familiar with the Glow steps, but if they store outside, it likely requires a modification of the outside of my RV. And why would I want to try something else when I'm perfectly happy with what I have?

Hi,

I am not trying to talk you out of your Mor-Ryde steps, Mor-Ryde makes good products. I want to show you what the Glow Step is, as FYI, and for those following along.

We had a very good and solidly mounted 3-step fold-out set of Hickey Springs folding steps made in 2003. The mounting frame was bolted to the floor where an outrigger was, and the bottom of the step frame was welded to the main frame rail. Between the floor mount, the main frame rail mount, and the fact the steps themselves were made of rigid steel, they worked well for most of our camping situations.

Our floor plan (rear living area) has the main entrance door at the back. We camp a lot on lakefront campsites that are a downhill back in to get to the site. To level out the camper, the nose of the camper is almost touching the ground, and the back wall is 3 feet off the ground. In this case, I need a 4th step, and I have wrestled with how to deal with uneven ground.

The 4th freestanding step, with four legs, was solid, but the uneven ground required a shim under one or two feet. After a few days of walking on it, the shim wiggles out, and the step is unstable. I came down the steps and almost went tumbling, then a day later, my wife did on that last step. That did it for me; I need to change this before one of us breaks a leg or worse.

The Mor-Ryde step was an option, but in our case, even though the legs could extend to the ground, the long, deeper last step had to be filled with something, and I am back to the same problem. I need a 4th step. Doing a 13 to 15" one-step rise at the bottom is not good coming down. This leads me to Tork-lift, which makes truck camper steps. They have a 4 to 5-foot gap to bridge, and they do it well. They offer a set of steps for 5'ers and TT's.

Here is how mine integrated. This may not work if you do not have the older style fold-out steps or the ability to cut the fender skit on the camper.

The older steps before conversion


The new Glow Step install. I took out the steps and left the heavy rigid frame in place.


Install a 4 step Glow Step




They have a lever on the side; you have three heights on the top step if you must lower the steps as the camper is way high at the step area. And you can push them in to make them shorter. And there are 2 feet adjusted to the ground.


Here was the campsite that we love to camp at, and it was the last straw to have to do something with the entry steps. This was the summer of 2017.


A closer look at the separate 4th step. You can see how much wood is under the stabilizers to level the camper.


Here is the summer of 2018 after the Glow Steps install. To date, this has solved all our 4th step issues, and they are a very solid step with the 2 feet to the ground. This is not a cheap upgrade but worth it for us.


Hope this helps

John

Cptnvideo wrote:
I'm not familiar with the Glow steps, but if they store outside, it likely requires a modification of the outside of my RV. And why would I want to try something else when I'm perfectly happy with what I have?

I believe they now make a set that will replace what you have with no modifications.
https://www.torklift.com/rv/glowstep-revolution-uprising

Grit dog wrote:

Fat people will complain the fold out steps are too spongy.

hey leave me out of this :)

to me if your a snow bird who goes to some place for long periods at a time these are the perfect stairs, if your 2 nights here two nights there in dirt and sandy sites, they would drive me nuts.

on my 5th I have a tripple fold out steps, and when I am leveled they are rock solid and I never have to worry about the level of the ground and how they will sit.

like you, after 4 years of putting my camper steps in the camper, Im over that noise. trying to figure out a rear platform or somthing now if I am keeping this older camper. just need to find a set of electric jacks for cheep and I'll be set haha.

Steve

dougrainer wrote:


Sorry, but your cost of OEM versus retail is wrong. Granted, there is a LOWER cost at OEM but the fact remains, that Retail costs are higher for the door fold down. BUT, the OEM for both types will be lower, but the door type is still higher than the standard old style. MOST of the door fold outs have an adjustable bottom leg to meet different uneven patio pads. I have NEVER had a customer complain about the door step type system. Doug

Hi Doug,

Maybe I was misunderstood. I agree that the Solid step may cost more than a good set of older fold-out steps. The price we see at retail or dealer cost differs greatly from at OEM. And you appeared to agree with this.

My main point is labor at the OEM; there is a significant difference at the OEM on labor mounting a Solid step unit (very little labor) compared to an older well-mounted fold-out step. I'm sure you may agree with this.

At the OEM level, profit per unit can be higher selling a camper with a Solid step versus a well-mounted and made older style fold-out step. While the raw material of the step may be higher with the solid step, the offset of labor savings makes it well worth paying more for material than labor.

I'm good with OEM's selling campers to customers who want that style step, but to force it across all floor plans with no other options, and they make more profit by selling it that way, does not sit well. If it is worth more, sell the Solid step as an upgrade. I know that takes more time and inventory on the part of the OEM. Giving the customer options can cause them more loss.

I will also add for the general good of the post, in the last 8 to maybe 12 years; there has been a flood of, in my opinion, very weak fold-out style steps being made. These are not the older style rigid fold-out steps mounted rigidly to the camper. (This stronger set all costs more $$) The same thing invaded the scissors stabilizers with weak, thin metal. I was appalled to see fold-out steps and how the OEM mounted them so weak on new campers. They bend and bounce significantly just walking up them. They are trying to hit a price point on what a new camper buy will bear. Or the OEM is trying to increase profitably. Entry steps should not be one of the places to cut costs that deep.

It isn't just RV storage lots where they can't be pulled down without moving. Same thing when pulling into a Rest stop with trucks on both sides. Seen people pull in, get out of the TV, go back to the trailer and then realize they can't get the steps down

We've had several spots in different storage lots, and all maximize their space by having trailers pretty close together. They are most definitely not spaced far enough apart to get the solid steps lowered. Never seen any that are parked that far apart.

I'm not familiar with the Glow steps, but if they store outside, it likely requires a modification of the outside of my RV. And why would I want to try something else when I'm perfectly happy with what I have?

Cptnvideo wrote:
Lantley said, "Experienced campers see the flaws in the steps right away."

Well, I've been a member on this site since 2006 so I think I am "experienced".
I have the Mor-Ryde fold in the door steps. And I wouldn't trade them for fold out steps - period. Mine are solid and it only takes a few seconds to adjust to uneven terrain. Also just a few seconds to clean them before stowing. Both seem to be MAJOR complaints by a few.
Granted, I don't store our RV in a tight storage place. I can see where that could be an issue. On the other hand, if storage space is that tight, I wouldn't want to store my RV there in the first place.

Try the Glow Steps you get the additional stability without the pitfalls of the Mor Ryde
Steps store outside where they belong.
No cleaning or wiping of steps required...ever
Steps adjust and can be used in close quarters.
Rise and run of steps can both be adjusted as required.
Steps don't block the doorway, allowing for access to easily place something in the trailer.

Lantley said, "Experienced campers see the flaws in the steps right away."

Well, I've been a member on this site since 2006 so I think I am "experienced".
I have the Mor-Ryde fold in the door steps. And I wouldn't trade them for fold out steps - period. Mine are solid and it only takes a few seconds to adjust to uneven terrain. Also just a few seconds to clean them before stowing. Both seem to be MAJOR complaints by a few.
Granted, I don't store our RV in a tight storage place. I can see where that could be an issue. On the other hand, if storage space is that tight, I wouldn't want to store my RV there in the first place.