Forum Discussion

Wrace's avatar
Wrace
Explorer
Aug 14, 2015

Entry Step Supports?

1997 Nash 22H.

Our TT has the typical manual folding two entry steps and I flipped the axle’s years ago so we use a folding platform for the first step. We are weekend and vacation campers only at this point so setting up a semi-permanent situation with concrete blocks and the like is not in the cards.

The height from the ground to the first folding entry step is 13”, and 19” for the second step. And of course this measurement was taken while the TT is parked on the level concrete driveway, and consideration needs to be taken with regard to un-level/dirt/gravel campsites as well.

I would like to shore-up the stability of the first, or the first and second folding entry steps. These two steps have a ridge running the length of the step on the underside which may or may not provide additional challenges to mounting some sort of stability device.

Looking online I find these Camco 43681 Save-A-Step Brace. These come one to a package but if I were to go this route I would use two of them – one on each end of the step as I think just having one in the middle would allow for tilting of the step and not feel as secure. It appears that there is one hole in the plate and I don’t know if that is intended for securing the top plate of the brace to the step or not, but it could be done using a carriage bolt through the top of the step and a wingnut underneath.
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-43681-Save-A-Step-Brace-4-5/dp/B0024E6ZRW


There are also these Camco 43671 Self-Stor Steps. The nice thing about these is they are self-contained and stay mounted to the step. I’m not sure how these would work when the steps are folded if two of them were mounted on the first step and two on the second step. Plastic blocks would be needed on the second step when deployed as the brace would not be long enough to reach the ground. The reviews on this one are not as good as the ones above, several comments about them not feeling secure when deployed – relative to the folding mechanism and the ability of the brace to pivot I guess?
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-43671-Self-Stor-Step/dp/B0024ECHII/ref=pd_sim_263_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1R281EGPN1KS0MCHJWKY

Any suggestions? I suppose I could use stacks of the plastic blocks, or blocks in conjunction with some type of brace?

Thanks

18 Replies

  • I use a cheap bottle jack from Harbor Freight. Fully adjustable and I can use it to change a tire too.
  • I use two free-standing braces and love the stability. Would not go without them.
  • We had the free-standing braces on our travel trailer, which had non-elctric steps. They were not attached. We included them with our TT when we sold it.

    Ordering new ones has been on my "ToDo" list for a few weeks now. (But I keep misplacing my lists.)

    If you do decide to get the other braces, I would be interested in hearing what you think of them.
  • I use two Save-A-Step braces under the lowest step on my motorhome. Using them right now, in fact :) Excellent product. Makes stepping in and out of the MH so much better. No need to attach them to the step. Just unscrew to increase the height to what you need. Then store them in a compartment when finished.

    I used to have a MH with the ridge on the underside of the step, as you described. You need to check the dimensions listed on the website. I think the product just barely fit between my center ridge and outer ridge. You could also just place a flat piece of wood the fits the whole underside of your step, then place the product against it.

    Also, you say your lower step is 13" high. According to the website, the taller one only goes up to 14". So there is a chance, if you have to do some leveling of the trailer, that your lower step would be higher than 14". Then just place a flat piece of wood on the ground under the product to raise it. (Or, of course, the flat piece of wood directly under the step.)
  • GMandJM wrote:
    I like the free-standing step braces. You're right - use two.

    Do you have these on your rig? How do you attach them to your step?


    If you brace the first/bottom step, would you still need to brace the other one?

    Good question, I was wondering that myself. I guess the thing to do would be to purchase and install two of them on the bottom step and see how it goes.
  • I like the free-standing step braces. You're right - use two.

    The self-store ones are interesting. You're right - some of the reviewers seem less than happy with them.

    If you brace the first/bottom step, would you still need to brace the other one?
  • I built a box out of 3/4" marine plywood with a top. I left the bottom open so it would be easy to level on uneven ground. The box was 30 inches wide by 24 inches deep and 7 inches high. I covered the box and top in outdoor carpet. This became the bottom step to provide a shorter step up to the TT mounted steps.

    Our 16 year old TT and now our 20 year old 5th wheel we haven't needed any sort of stabilizers. I'm a big guy and the steps worked just fine and are stable.

    The box can be turned over and carried in a storage compartment or the pickup bed to carry stuff in as you travel. I carry our portable BBQ in it.

    If you are handy you could build this
    http://www.doityourselfrv.com/simple-portable-rv-stairs/