Scissor Step Problem

Just to throw out a recycled idea: Attach the deck to the rear bumper mounts instead of the TC since it is not needed when the TC is on the ground.

This thread has proven to be very informative - and given us several ideas.

First, we'll attempt to repair the existing steps. It's anybody's guess whether that will be successful or not.

Second, we're working on a design for a small rear deck - roughly 80" wide & 18" long. The deck will likely be about 6-9" deep with internal storage (BBQ, Lynx Levelers, etc). We'll also add two small storage boxes to fill the space between the camper and the rear of the bed; roughly 10-11" long. We're also liking the idea of mounting a 2000i generator on a raised platform on the left side of the deck.

Structure? Either steel or aluminum framed & either plywood or diamond plate. The goal is to make it as light as possible, yet very durable and affordable. Not always an easy combination.

ticki2 wrote:
Looks to me like too many steps for the height you are going .They are hitting the ground before being fully extended .

Yeah...I am with Bob on this one...too many steps.

Remove one and see how it goes.

Keep in mind; the pitch will vary at every camp site...they will likely never be "perfect".

Having said that, we switched to Glowsteps...and they are a siginficant improvement.

Good luck, B

Noted in bigfootfords porch/step linked above, looks like the OPs steps as far as amount of tread differance. I also noted the steps used for mock up, Waynes, are like my old ones with the 5 bar cross hatch instead of extruded or diamond plate steps. They are square (and mine still were) and worked well- but mostly that they are rivoted instead of bolt together.
Hoping that that isn't part of the issue, bolted instead if rivoted as my new steps are bolt together. Maybe I should hang on to our old ones?
Hmm. More I think about it rivots, though you cant tighten for wear- are swelled within hole, bolted will have .005-010 clearance differance in nominal bolt to drilled hole size? Curious how this turns out using the bushings and its a matter of excessive/enlarged holes that bushing solves. Also curious how many folks that have simular issues have bolted verses rivoted steps?

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/25135064.cfm

To o/p.....check out this mod that addressed the scissor step problem with a small porch on a Bigfoot camper....it was posted on this forum a couple of years ago....I think you will find it may be just what you are looking for..

Hi
Our steps went exactly the same as OP-------the bolts were not sloppy in the holes--I did try drilling out with the next metric size and encouraging to holes to go the way to improve things-----wasn't successful----so I made some new bars to correct the top and bottom steps------straightened out the steps but the whole thing does not fold up quite as small---still fits in the camper OK to travel with no problem.
We are looking to get a solid step made, but we often park on very uneven ground so the length is a problem.
Nigel & Pamala--Lakenheath--UK

The time/money equation is always some kind of a conundrum. :h

I pulled one of the bolts last night. It was VERY sloppy.

Since I'm planning on building a full width step across the back of the coach, but haven't decided whether to make it above or below the basement, we won't know exactly what height steps we'll eventually need. These steps are easy to modify and remove a step or two to adjust the height.

McMaster-Carr carries bushings that should work (#2868T43 - SAE 863 Bronze Sleeve Bearing for 1/4" Shaft Diameter, 5/16" OD, 1/2" Length @ $0.54/each) as well as new nylon washers with 5/16" ID and larger OD to provide more support. The total order was $41.50 + unknown shipping charges.

I'll post photos of the steps after I've made the repairs. Hopefully, this will serve as a permanent fix.

I do not see the bolt holes as a high wear area. I think they were simply built with a loos fit. My 4 step setup are not loose, and they were manufactured in 1988.

I did not consider plastic bushings. You might find plastic tubing with a 1/4" ID, and simply cut to length with a box cutter. Drilling just a 1/32 oversize hole and using poly tubing as the bushings might work.

While I only know first hand of one person that drilled oversize holes, they said it worked for them. They made no mention of oval holes being an issue.

No question, a set of new and better designed steps would be the best fix. However, what would new steps cost, and do you have more time than money? You only need to drill a couple to see if the fix will work.

Good read as I have the same problem. Just been living with it.Could someone that has the double bar, as you put it, post a side picture of that? I'll go looking.

I would double the horizontal bars, they should be available from the manufacturer in BC. The horizontal bars are loaded in bending on scissors steps, the vertical just in tension if everything is set up right. If you have trouble getting the extra bars, I might just have enough spare ones from the stair project on my Bigfoot.

If you drill to 5/16, you would like to find bolts that are not threaded their full length. An unthreaded shank will wear better in the holes than threads contacting the aluminum. McMaster Carr would have bushiings if you wanted to go that way, but it would be a tedious job. If the holes are enlarged, they will also be oval. Drilling them out accurately should really be done with some fixturing on a mill or the locations will be all over the place. You may also want to check to see if there is clearance under the step extrusion for a 5/16 bolt head. It's pretty tight with a 1/4-20. By the time you are done you might wish you had just bough some new ones!