Having just returned from a nice weeklong camping trip, the Mrs. has declared that the stairs on our Bigfoot 2500 10.6 camper have got to go. They are just too dangerous when carrying our twin girls up and down the steps and they are never level save for the middle step. When parked on any type of a slope it makes for precarious sitations as the top step tilts at a 20 degree angle.It is time to fix this deficiency but how to do it is the question. What surprises me the most is that Brophey (what I currently have) and Torquelift seem to think their stairs are gold plated. The top of the line units come to nearly $700 and they appear to only be marginally better. I am shocked that these stairs are even considered safe enough to sell but that is a different topic.I have seen a couple of other solutions to this problem all with elements that I like but I want to go a bit further. Here are my "ideal" list of parameters (help me refine if you are interested in this project).1. Landing Platform of some type outside of door.2. Platform must be able to stow in a position that doesn't add substantial length to the camper.3. Easy access to basement storage compartment4. If scissor steps can't be eliminated, reduce number of steps from 5 to 3 or 4.5. Most be deployed in seconds preferably with just 1 hand.6. Must be more cost effective than Brophy or TorqueLift solutionsI roughly modeled the back end of the Bigfoot camper and will be working on a design as I think through the problem. If you have suggestions / pictures of solutions you think are worth incorporating please feel free to post.

The problem is the angle stays the same as the steps are expanded/contracted and is totally independent of the angle in relationship to the platform. I've tried to think of a solution that would keep the angle the same but haven't figured out one that would still allow the steps to be expanded/contracted. My solution was a 2-step flip down design which I later changed to a 3-step design. The 2 step was 11" each step but allowed the rear door to be opened with the steps flipped up and was held up by it's own weight. The 3 step design was necessary with a newer truck which was 3" taller and held up with two springs, only problem being that it blocks the door so must be flipped down to enter the camper. Both were mounted on a simple 18" hitch extension because my camper stops at the back of my bumper. However, I wouldn't have a hesitation to put it on a slightly longer extension for a 9-6" camper.Here are the pics of the 2 step design. I can post pics of the 3 step design if you would like.

Thanks for the pics and the comments. This is exactly the type of info I'm looking for. Ideally I would like to get rid of the scissor stairs completely if possible. I want something solid but I will have to be creative to make it work.

This is how we brainstormed the issue in the past. Final design approved by dogs is equivalent to your 2nd picture. I improved it even farther by adding long shaft in the gap between bumper and steps and than leveling the steps better. You just missed the $350 set I sold on ebay after I parted the camper.

Here is the 3 step design. With a wobble stopper, the steps are very sturdy. If I was going to extend them out or remake them, I would do so with a 2-1/2" tube since I have a Class V hitch.Note that the vertical tube for the folding portion uses the top step as the stop when folded up. The design could be better implemented for the fixed portion, but it was the scrap laying around which made the hieght work out the same. Each step is only about 8-3/4" so easy to go up and down.

Kids will not see to be carried up the steps by next summer. If you procrastinate just a bit, the “problem” will solve itself!I’ve found it helps to pretend like you’re making progress on it. Go cut some stuff up make some noise, etc. Professionals do this and actually get a different project accomplished under the guise of a honey-do item!

Time to Develop a Solution for Scissor Stairs (Bigfoots)

57 Replies

valhalla360
Navigator
Nov 01, 2020
What's the ground to door bottom height?

Would the taller moryde steps work? They fold in and out pretty quick and easy and are quite stable once deployed. Our friends have a new 5th wheel with them and the bottom of the door is almost chest high on me and I'm 6'2".
JimK-NY
Explorer II
Nov 01, 2020
This is one of the downsides of buying a camper with a basement design. It is a long way from the ground to the floor of the camper. I don't think any redesign of the stairs is going to fix that.
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Nov 01, 2020
Kids will not see to be carried up the steps by next summer. If you procrastinate just a bit, the “problem” will solve itself!

I’ve found it helps to pretend like you’re making progress on it. Go cut some stuff up make some noise, etc. Professionals do this and actually get a different project accomplished under the guise of a honey-do item!
kohldad
Explorer III
Nov 01, 2020
Here is the 3 step design. With a wobble stopper, the steps are very sturdy. If I was going to extend them out or remake them, I would do so with a 2-1/2" tube since I have a Class V hitch.

Note that the vertical tube for the folding portion uses the top step as the stop when folded up. The design could be better implemented for the fixed portion, but it was the scrap laying around which made the hieght work out the same. Each step is only about 8-3/4" so easy to go up and down.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Nov 01, 2020
This is how we brainstormed the issue in the past.
Final design approved by dogs is equivalent to your 2nd picture.
I improved it even farther by adding long shaft in the gap between bumper and steps and than leveling the steps better.
You just missed the $350 set I sold on ebay after I parted the camper.
adamis
Nomad II
Nov 01, 2020
Thanks for the pics and the comments. This is exactly the type of info I'm looking for. Ideally I would like to get rid of the scissor stairs completely if possible. I want something solid but I will have to be creative to make it work.
kohldad
Explorer III
Nov 01, 2020
The problem is the angle stays the same as the steps are expanded/contracted and is totally independent of the angle in relationship to the platform. I've tried to think of a solution that would keep the angle the same but haven't figured out one that would still allow the steps to be expanded/contracted.

My solution was a 2-step flip down design which I later changed to a 3-step design. The 2 step was 11" each step but allowed the rear door to be opened with the steps flipped up and was held up by it's own weight. The 3 step design was necessary with a newer truck which was 3" taller and held up with two springs, only problem being that it blocks the door so must be flipped down to enter the camper. Both were mounted on a simple 18" hitch extension because my camper stops at the back of my bumper. However, I wouldn't have a hesitation to put it on a slightly longer extension for a 9-6" camper.

Here are the pics of the 2 step design. I can post pics of the 3 step design if you would like.

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Time to Develop a Solution for Scissor Stairs (Bigfoots)

57 Replies

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