With the twins getting bigger and an up coming week long camping trip, I'm thinking it is time to change our rickety Brophy steps out for something a little more solid. I know Torquelift is about the only option which I am fine with but what I am not certain about is how to install. Looks like the steps come with a mounting plate that has six holes in it. The problem is, on the fiberglass shell of the Bigfoot camper, I don't think there is anything really solid for screws to bite into on the back side.Has anyone done this swap on a Bigfoot before and if so, what did you do for attaching the steps to the camper?

Kayteg1 wrote:OLD TOPICI am specifically looking for other Bigfoot owners because our campers are a little more unique to work with.

This is a pic of the OEM bracket on 2002 BF 9.6

Not sure if you remember my install of the Glow Steps etc. Wayne, "Reddog1" fabricated my porch and then I later installed my Glow Steps. Jim

I had that problem when I got my new steps. I do have a big foot. I took the bar off of the Big foot stairs and moved it over to the new steps. It was a while ago but I seem to remember that it was a tight fit and I had to do a little prying but it worked.

TorkLift GlowStep on Bigfoot, How to Install? (Solved)

bigfootford
Nomad II
Aug 01, 2021
Good job using the jack mounts. That stiffens things up very well.
Great design too!

Jim
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Aug 01, 2021
That's quite engineering you made.
How steady is the tall plate, when heavy person walks up?
For low step being higher than other, I was carrying additional step below.
With adjustable legs I could fit in to any situation and it was also good for seating at campfire.
adamis
Nomad II
Aug 01, 2021
Well, after taking everyone's suggestions and specifically HMS Beagle whom I credit entirely for this concept. Finally got around to a solution to get those steps mounted. This I would consider a bit of a "prototype" in that the welds and such aren't dressed much and we had to fudge a few things. Still, I am very happy with the outcome and will be using this for many years to come I think.

Thank you all for your suggestions and thanks most to HMS Beagle for his idea!
joerg68
Nomad III
Jul 25, 2021
Stow N'go bracket is day and night difference

+1

The best mod I ever made.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jul 25, 2021
You are in metal fabrication, right?
So what it takes to fabricate a bracket?
The topic I linked above kind of brainstorm possible setups and Stow N'go bracket is day and night difference.
adamis
Nomad II
Jul 24, 2021
Thanks! Pictures are always helpful! I think I'm going to start off with just making the current stairs work with the existing bracket to get us through our next trip. Then over Winter I'm going to puzzle out something a little better.

HMS Beagle had a really had a pretty nice setup that I did some drawing work to eventually duplicate. I have the drawings but not sure if I have the time to get it done before our next trip.
SAMRAM
Explorer
Jul 24, 2021
Here’s some pictures

A shot from underneath
SAMRAM
Explorer
Jul 24, 2021
I have the same year and model Bigfoot as you. My earliest mod to my camper was to install TorkLift GlowSteps. It was a simple straight forward install using the OEM step brackets and the Torkift adapters. My only recommendation is that you use a mechanical lift to hold the steps in place as you install them. They are heavy! I used a motorcycle lift and did the install by myself. The steps are a wonderful improvement over the OEM step.
rutzbeck
Explorer
Jul 22, 2021
I had that problem when I got my new steps. I do have a big foot. I took the bar off of the Big foot stairs and moved it over to the new steps. It was a while ago but I seem to remember that it was a tight fit and I had to do a little prying but it worked.
bigfootford
Nomad II
Jul 22, 2021
Not sure if you remember my install of the Glow Steps etc. Wayne, "Reddog1" fabricated my porch and then I later installed my Glow Steps.

Jim