5th Wheel entry steps

[Whiskey_River]

What do you do??
My last 5er had the entry steps fold under the rig. So when stopping at a truck stop, rest area, cracker barrel etc. I would just leave the steps folded under the rig & use a step stool to get into the rig, then lift the step stool into the rig. Leaving nothing extended from the rig.
Now my new 5th wheel has the steps that lift up into the door way. Do you leave the steps down, as they do extend away from the 5er. Don't want someone to pull in beside and hit the steps, but also if you put a rope on the steps & lift them up and into the door way, if someone pulls close to you, you can not get the steps down to exit the rig..

[mileshuff]

Just installed a set of Torklift Glowsteps on my 5th wheel. Won't have it out on the road until end of the month and will post a review. Easy install except on my 5'er my old steps were welded in place so had to cut them out. They work perfect at my storage facility where the Lippert or MoreRyde type steps would be too long to fold out without hitting trailer next to mine.

[edatlanta]

BarneyS wrote:
I have two versions of the Torklift Glowstep on my trailer - a three step version and a 4 step version. I found them to be very easy to use, solid with no bounce, and also good looking. Liked the first ones so much I got a 2nd set for the rear door. Our site slopes a bit so the the 4 step version was just right for it in the front.

They can be deployed no matter how close someone is next to you in a rest stop and everything is outside the trailer so no dirt is brought in when they are retracted.
Barney

I agree with you completely. I have been in campgrounds where the ground slope rises immediately where the asphalt pad ends and would not allow the solid inside steps to deploy to their normal position. My GlowStep handled this situation perfectly.

[larry_barnhart]

Whiskey River wrote:
What do you do??
My last 5er had the entry steps fold under the rig. So when stopping at a truck stop, rest area, cracker barrel etc. I would just leave the steps folded under the rig & use a step stool to get into the rig, then lift the step stool into the rig. Leaving nothing extended from the rig.
Now my new 5th wheel has the steps that lift up into the door way. Do you leave the steps down, as they do extend away from the 5er. Don't want someone to pull in beside and hit the steps, but also if you put a rope on the steps & lift them up and into the door way, if someone pulls close to you, you can not get the steps down to exit the rig..

Not our favorite style of steps for the same thinking you have. chevman

[C_Schomer]

"Don't want someone to pull in beside and hit the steps, but also if you put a rope on the steps & lift them up and into the door way, if someone pulls close to you, you can not get the steps down to exit the rig.." I thought those folding "ship ladders" looked great until I thought of all the times they would be really inconvenient... and sometimes we'd be totally screwed with them!
My four-step conventionals ALWAYS work, no matter what situation, and they can also be used as three steps, in tight quarters. Craig

[BarneyS]

garyp4951 wrote:
I have never seen, or heard of anyone staying in their camper with the steps retracted.

Ditto!
Barney

[fj12ryder]

Your first post really seemed to sum up the issue just fine. You can either leave them out and risk having someone run them over, or pull them in and risk someone parking so close you can't put them out again.

Unless you replace them, there just don't seem to be any other choices.

[garyp4951]

I have never seen, or heard of anyone staying in their camper with the steps retracted.

[Whiskey_River]

OK This thread has taken on a life of its own. I'm not complaining though. Everyone seems to be venting their frustration with the RV industry & the non-folding entry steps. My original question was what do you do with those steps when traveling. A recap of the 28 answers, only 2 answered correctly Alex!!
1. Park close to the left parking line. I do this.
2. Park where it can't happen. I do this, or try to.
3. 12 entry's about the draw backs of the new type steps.
4. 8 entry's to get Tork lift steps.
5. 6 misc. entry's.
My original question was to find out what you do if you have these one piece fold into the door way steps when traveling & stopping at a non RV park. Leave them out extended or pull them in & hope you don't get stuck inside. I like one piece steps fine when at an RV Park.
I also do like the Tork lift steps & would get them, but for only 2 or 3 nights a year, are cost prohibitive.
Again I am not complaining about all the answers, only recapping.
I park as close to the left line as possible & set an orange cone beside the extended steps....

[shadows4]

We replaced our 3 step foldout steps last year with a 4 step Tork lift Glow step. Best thing I have done for our set up. Used our stimulus money. Woohoo!!!!

[SteveB]

Thanks BarneyS. This will come in handy.

[BarneyS]

JTrac wrote:
Deleted. I thought I was posting a picture of my Tork Lift Uprising steps in our Pinnacle but it didn't work. This forum does it differently from some other which make it easy to just choose the image and upload it. This one asks for the URL which I thought I did but no go.

If you will follow these directions exactly, it is very easy to post pictures on our forums. One of our moderators, 1492, developed this photo posting app to post your pictures. It works for other internet sites also. There is no need to have a separate hosting site for your pictures in order to use it.

It is very simple to use.
1. Upload your picture from your computer to the app.
2. Copy the resulting URL.
3. Paste that URL into your post

without ANY changes

. No additions or deletions.
Your picture will then appear in your post and be properly sized for use on our forums.:)

I have posted a test thread here for members to try out the app and see how it works. That thread is ONLY for testing however and not for comments on pictures. Good luck.
Barney

[JTrac]

Deleted. I thought I was posting a picture of my Tork Lift Uprising steps in our Pinnacle but it didn't work. This forum does it differently from some other which make it easy to just choose the image and upload it. This one asks for the URL which I thought I did but no go.

[RCMAN46]

:C

BarneyS wrote:

ACZL wrote:

I think Torq Lift makes a foldable step of steps to go inside of coach like the solid ones, but do not require a 4'arc to deploy them. This is addition to their under the door ones like Barney has.

Yep. Here is a link to their Glowstep Revolution Uprising that bolts in the opening for the door and does not need the "step well" that the ones like I have needed.
They lift up into the door opening like the OP has and need to be swept off or cleaned before closing but they also can be used in very tight places where the others cannot.
Barney

Torklift is on the ball.

[BarneyS]

ACZL wrote:

I think Torq Lift makes a foldable step of steps to go inside of coach like the solid ones, but do not require a 4'arc to deploy them. This is addition to their under the door ones like Barney has.

Yep. Here is a link to their Glowstep Revolution Uprising that bolts in the opening for the door and does not need the "step well" that the ones like I have needed.
They lift up into the door opening like the OP has and need to be swept off or cleaned before closing but they also can be used in very tight places where the others cannot.
Barney