scissor steps

No, ours are not parallel. I think it is a shortcoming of the design. We try different amounts of extension until we achieve what seems to be the least-worst setting.

I looked into getting our camper retrofitted with the current step design, which I like a lot better. But it would cost $1600. So I guess we will live with the scissors.

These steps are not as bad as I thought they would be before we got our camper. We manage to use them without feeling like we are risking life and limb.

you might need an extra step

Might want to look at this older thread.
Ours are parallel, or more accurately to each other, when over extended they all lean nose down away from camper, if under extended, nose up. If older steps could be worn bushings or holes.

Like others have said, they're either overextending, underextending, or worn out.

tonymull wrote:
you might need an extra step

An extra step would help to level the top step while making all the others tilt back, with the bottom one unusably tilted.

mkirsch wrote:

Like others have said, they're either overextending, underextending, or worn out.

I guess they are overextended, since when fully collapsed they steps are nicely parallel. Not too usable in this manner, though.:) They become non-parallel with only a slight amount of extension. They've also been this way since new, so wear is not the issue.

AnEv942 wrote:
Might want to look at this older thread.
Ours are parallel, or more accurately to each other, when over extended they all lean nose down away from camper, if under extended, nose up. If older steps could be worn bushings or holes.

Thanks for the link. That's what ours look like, except with four steps instead of five on our non-basement Bigfoot. Wear is not the issue. I see the fix was Glowstep, something I've been considering. I think Sundowner nailed it: factory holes are drilled so the steps collapse completely at the expense of not extending parallel.

Anyone have an opinion on 8 versus 6 inch Glowsteps?

We recently changed to the Torklift Glowsteps with the 8"x20"treads.
My opinion is they are pretty awesome, compared to our old 6"x18" scissor steps there just isn't. Much easier to climb and descend.


I hadn't even got installed and I started comparing the difference. Shown is the Torklift 6"x20 tread from the basement step we also installed.


Ours are 4step. The 8" treads are simply nice. Less feeling like climbing a ladder. Were pretty happy with ours.

I dont understand scissor steps. They are set up for the camper being a specific height correct? I have yet to observe the camper the same distance from the ground depending on terrain. So how does that work if the back end is higher or lower when usimg leveling blocks front or rear? What about when using the tc off the truck and low to the ground?

Amazing! I posted here several months ago on the same problem and only got replies that assured me their steps were absolutely perfectly level.
Nice to hear some real world experiences.