Entry Step for class C, Issues

[Junior30]

Hello, I am new to rving and own a 2015 four winds. We have only been out a few times in it but am finding that getting the entry step into the coach at the proper height can be difficult. My coach has hydraulic levelers and does not have any retractable step for entry.

When the coach is on level ground and i put the levelers down the step is at a normal comfortable height. At most of the campgrounds i have been to the ground is quite unlevel which has caused the step to be too high in most situations. I have tried the auto level feature as well as leveling manually to try to get the step right (im new to this so i may not know some type of trick). By doing it manually i can usually make it better but not great. I have 2 young children and in many situations they have some difficulty getting into and out of the coach, they have even fallen because of this.

I thought of getting one of these..

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-43676-Adjustable-Aluminum-Platform/dp/B00G258I0G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454522428&sr=8-1&keywords=rv+step

And i think a fold-able step mounted to the coach would present ground clearance issues. Does anyone else have this issue? If so what do you do about it.

[DavidandDayle]

My wife got a folding aluminum step. It's usually just an inch or two lower than the pull-out step, but it gives a wider area to get out. And it does help where the site has a big camber. We keep ours in the door well when not camping.

[Jim_Shoe]

I ran into the same problem on unlevel ground because there's only one outside handle on the latch side and no way to pull myself up into the 'C'. At first, I got in and out from the driver's seat, but that has its own problems getting out of the seat with the doghouse in the way. But the back of the dinette seat is directly even with the hinge side of the door. So I attached a metal handle to the back of the dinette next to the door. Now I can use both hands to help me up, and if my hands are full, I can put what I'm carrying on the floor inside before I start.

[Junior30]

Thanks for all the replies. At home i lay a pallet by the door and it makes a nice entry step. Cant exactly carry a pallet with me though. Just got to decide which step to buy.

I'm jealous that you have levelers. That is my one regret in purchasing my 2015 Class C. I sure do wish I would have had them add them when I bought it. I have four packages of those Linx levelers I think they are called. Orange pads that look like legos. I use some of them to level in the camp site and use the leftovers to make a step in I had to raise that side up much. With those pads, I can make the step any height I need it to be. I find a couple layers or maybe three is about right most of the time.

This is my first Rv and I was kind of lucky that the levelers were on the unit that was on the lot. I do find i like them more and more, even though they do have occasional issues.

[DocP]

Junior30 wrote:
Hello, I am new to rving and own a 2015 four winds. We have only been out a few times in it but am finding that getting the entry step into the coach at the proper height can be difficult. My coach has hydraulic levelers and does not have any retractable step for entry.

When the coach is on level ground and i put the levelers down the step is at a normal comfortable height. At most of the campgrounds i have been to the ground is quite unlevel which has caused the step to be too high in most situations. I have tried the auto level feature as well as leveling manually to try to get the step right (im new to this so i may not know some type of trick). By doing it manually i can usually make it better but not great. I have 2 young children and in many situations they have some difficulty getting into and out of the coach, they have even fallen because of this.

I thought of getting one of these..

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-43676-Adjustable-Aluminum-Platform/dp/B00G258I0G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454522428&sr=8-1&keywords=rv+step

And i think a fold-able step mounted to the coach would present ground clearance issues. Does anyone else have this issue? If so what do you do about it.

We have the same issue with our Class C, and bought the exact same portable step you referenced. Problem solved.

[jodpel]

I'm jealous that you have levelers. That is my one regret in purchasing my 2015 Class C. I sure do wish I would have had them add them when I bought it. I have four packages of those Linx levelers I think they are called. Orange pads that look like legos. I use some of them to level in the camp site and use the leftovers to make a step in I had to raise that side up much. With those pads, I can make the step any height I need it to be. I find a couple layers or maybe three is about right most of the time.

[rockhillmanor]

Junior30 wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I will pick up the 2 step model first to see how that works out.

The list of thing needed for an RV are endless.

Once i think i got it all, up pops something else.

And Hang on to your pocketbook because that part of RV'ing NEVER ends!:B

I know some of the class "A"'s are able to

adjust the air bags to get the step to the right height

and was kinda hoping there was a trick to the class c to get it right. oh well step it is.

I think what you are missing here is you can get the 'actual RV' level but that does NOT mean that the steps will be the correct 'height above the ground'. Jack up the MH to level and the steps ARE going to be farther off the ground.

I.E you might be on real unlevel CG site and have to bring the front end up pretty high to get the "RV" level but what that does is make your steps be way off the ground when deployed and that 'last step' off being pretty steep. THAT is where the step stools do there job the first step might be down a little but the bottom one is always just right for the last step off to the ground.

[D_E_Bishop]

I think there are some great ideas in the reply's but the best reply IMHO, came from Shadowboss, "When you place the step..., you'll have to compromise".

Try what looks and sounds best to you and because, "nothing is perfect", you'll have to compromise. Living is a big white box on wheels is always a compromise.

[IAMICHABOD]

I have used The one you listed and found it very useful but I also have a step that retracts under the door. So the combination of both works very well,when needed.

I also found that installing a Folding Assist Handle helped a great deal and the children,as well as I had something to hold onto getting in and out,no more falls.

[Junior30]

Thanks for the replies. I will pick up the 2 step model first to see how that works out. The list of thing needed for an RV are endless. Once i think i got it all, up pops something else.

I know some of the class "A"'s are able to adjust the air bags to get the step to the right height and was kinda hoping there was a trick to the class c to get it right. oh well step it is.

[Teacher_s_Pet]

Junior30 wrote:
Hello, I am new to rving and own a 2015 four winds. We have only been out a few times in it but am finding that getting the entry step into the coach at the proper height can be difficult. My coach has hydraulic levelers and does not have any retractable step for entry.

When the coach is on level ground and i put the levelers down the step is at a normal comfortable height. At most of the campgrounds i have been to the ground is quite unlevel which has caused the step to be too high in most situations. I have tried the auto level feature as well as leveling manually to try to get the step right (im new to this so i may not know some type of trick). By doing it manually i can usually make it better but not great. I have 2 young children and in many situations they have some difficulty getting into and out of the coach, they have even fallen because of this.

I thought of getting one of these..

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-43676-Adjustable-Aluminum-Platform/dp/B00G258I0G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454522428&sr=8-1&keywords=rv+step

And i think a fold-able step mounted to the coach would present ground clearance issues. Does anyone else have this issue? If so what do you do about it.

We full time and have been using a step similar to the CAMCO fold-able one you linked to. We bought it at Quartzsite in January 2006. Works great, we have used it many times when our automatic step is too far off the ground.

[rockhillmanor]

You will rarely find a CG site that is perfect level, perfect height to use the RV steps comfortably.

Most carry a lightweight plastic 'two' step stool with to use 'instead' of the RV steps. (actually makes it easier on the knees to go up and down on)

I've tried them all and this is the one that works the best for me almost all the time. Fits nice and snug up against under the door. So much so that I completely 'stopped using the RV steps' years ago! :B



I also use it inside the MH to access the cab over works perfectly. Comes in white also. Ace Hardware usually carries this one.

[shawdowboss]

I'd let the auto-level on your jack system just set the coach where it should be. This gives level setting that's the best for your refer and overall comfort.

On our coach with 2 exterior steps, we've found that you can have the first step be too large after leveling. We purchased an aluminum platform step similar to the one you posted just for that reason. You can use them from fully collapsed to fully extended to get a 2" to 6" step.

When you place the step, put it out a little bit from the coach to a natural stepping point. You'll be happier and not miss that first step coming out. With the kids, you'll have to compromise.

We also use our 2 direction level to pre-level on the site. This gets us the best front/back and side/side so it's the easiest to set the jacks (ours are manual). We've learned how much the gradient is on the level, and get it within a reasonable range. Sometimes you win, others you put the step out.

It takes a few extra minutes, its worth the time. We use the best area of the site, and do have to compromise due to our deep slide if there is obstructions.

Also, front/rear will affect your step as much as left/right if you have a door towards the front vs a mid-coach door.

[ksg5000]

We carry a small plastic step - similar but cheaper than the step your looking at. Wife uses it inside the rig on occasion to reach a few hard to reach spots - we put it outside when the step are too high. Your issue is pretty common and I suspect most RVers carrying something to help them when the steps are too high.