stabilizing power steps

[willald]

We just got back from a trip, where I had the power step motor quit in such a way that steps became free moving. The gears inside motor had stripped a tooth or two, allowing steps to move freely. Made it impossible to get in or out safely (argh!)

Until I could get the motor replaced, had to stabilize the steps somehow. Soooo, I went to Lowe's, bought a bunch of 2x10 and cut it into squares, stacked them and some wood shims underneath bottom step to hold them in place.

This worked great and held the steps in place until we could get the motor fixed. I learned from that, that with the bottom step stabilized like that, it makes things much better. Motorhome doesn't 'wobble' at all now when someone goes in or out the door, and step feels much more solid. Also, I think it may extend the life of the motor some, by reducing the stress on those gears if the steps are held in place when parked.

Want to find a good way to do this (stabilize the steps) when parked, but without having to carry and mess with a whole lumber yard of wood squares and shims, haha.

Has anyone figured out a good way to stabilize their power steps, so they stay in place? I don't want anything that permanently attaches to the steps, as I think that would be asking for worse trouble. That rules out a couple options made by Lippert, I know. Maybe something as simple as jack stands, but seems those are too big to fit under bottom step. Any ideas?

I realize that if I do this, I will have to make dang sure whatever is down there stabilizing the steps comes off before power steps ever energize, try to retract (otherwise you'd burn up yet another step motor very fast). We keep the steps off so they only would go up when engine is cranked up, so thought if we do this, might put a sign somewhere on the dashboard, reminding one to make sure steps are free before turning on ignition..

[Ray_IN]

For those that have Kwikee brand steps, this will help ID your model steps and perform any needed repairs. Kwikee Products Service Training Manual

[willald]

JoeH wrote:
I had one that attached to the step and folded up, so no wasted storage Step Stabilizer

Saw those, but don’t trust it. We have a triple step, and the last step can be pretty close to the ground when they extend. Afraid something permanently mounted like that would increase the risk of them grinding, scraping and getting jammed on the ground when steps come out. That, and this would be extra weight, strain on the step motor when retracting and extending steps. Those motors already wear out quickly, don’t want to shorten their life even more.

[JoeH]

I had one that attached to the step and folded up, so no wasted storage Step Stabilizer

[willald]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
Camco has a product just for that purpose.



Camco RV Save-A-Step

Thanks. Not long after I posted this question, I found these and ordered a set very similar to this. This is just what I was looking for.

Now, just have to figure out how to put a note or reminder on the dashboard, reminding one to make sure these stabilizer jacks are removed BEFORE ever cranking the engine. 🙂

[Dutch_12078]

Camco has a product just for that purpose.



Camco RV Save-A-Step

[Grit_dog]

So presuming you’re on level enough sites that the step height doesn’t change alot. But even if it does, those premade plastic stabilizer jack risers, the premade Lego blocks, bigger piece of lumber like a 6x6 8x8 or 12x12 and a couple of the 2xs or some plywood for adjustability, foam block with a piece of wood on top, couple log rounds, couple 4x4s or 4x6s as cribbing, paint cans, a cheap screw jack for spare tire on your car, a car rim and a couple boards, a RV leveler or 2 (kinda same as the screw jack)….off the top of my head.
Let me know if you need more suggestions for this conundrum….