We are yet another installer and reviewer of the Glowsteps. And here I thought we were the sole privileged ones that got selected (sigh).
Somehow I just can't assess these without applying my engineer's analytical methodology...
For the most part, I really like these steps/stairs. Extremely well made and they really reduce bounce inside our TT a lot when someone is walking in or out. But if there is one thing that I can't get overly excited about is that you can end up with 3 different riser heights and sloping treads in some circumstances. In comparison to building construction, stair treads must be level and and all risers and tread depths/runs have to be equal. As well, the tread depth (width) is 1" less than our original LCI steel stairs and less than what building code would require. I know RVs aren't buildings, but some basic principles should apply I think. I like the 7 1/2" riser height which is 1 3/4"" less than the LCI steps ( 9 1/4" height) and is close to building code height which is great. I've always found the LCI steps to be more tiring and harder to walk up.
The Glowsteps are available with a different number of steps - 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6. The risers are all fixed at 7 1/2" in height. TTs can have a wide range in the height of the floors above the ground and some will have the entry door(s) close to the axles or at the rear or forward ends of the TT. Ideally, you'd want to choose the number of steps so that the treads end up being close to level when adjusted so that all risers are the same height. We can't do that with our TT because 4 steps ends up being too many and 3 steps is not enough. The photo shows what happens with our steps when the top and bottom steps are all adjusted to be equal. There is a significant back slope... I can't reduce the height of the lowest step which would be the more ideal thing to do than adjust the top step. Our entry door is at the very rear so we are affected more by changes in front-rear slope.
Glowsteps have the top step adjustable to 5 1/2", 7 1/2" or 9 1/2" from top step to the doorsill. Each intermediate riser is fixed at 7 1/2". The bottom stair is adjustable (via the "landing gear") from 7 1/4" to 10 1/4" above the ground. The top stair would normally want to be set to 7 1/2" to match the intermediate steps.
Depending on the slope of the site you are on (left/right or front/rear) and where your entry door is, you cannot adjust the steps to make the treads anywhere near level and you can end up with 3 different riser heights when attempting to do that.
I think it would help a lot if Torklift could re-jig the landing gear so that they can be adjustable lower to the ground. With our stock steel stairs, we sometimes end up with the bottom step close to the ground and that works fine. Or maybe there could be another option for having a different riser height (except would be an added expense and complication for the manufacturer).
Another factor for us is that we also have an entry door to the bedroom. If we're on a site that slopes a lot front to rear, each set of stairs will have the be adjusted differently and the treads would slope in different directions. I do have a few other comments but this is enough for now.
Would I recommend the Glowsteps? Sure!
