First, let me say hello and thank you for deciding to read my question.I am 40 years old and have never owned an RV or Motorhome but my wife and I want to purchase one in the next 12 months. I have a few reservations because of my size however. My wife is normal but I'm 449 pounds. I know I can find an RV with a larger bathroom, I've looked at some photos of some used ones with bigger walk in showers and toilets that were not squeezed in a corner.My real concern is if I purchase a 5th wheel model and the fold out steps. I have never actually walked into an RV before but I'm worried about the fold out steps weight capacity and their ability to hold me as I walk up them. I was too embarrassed to call and talk to someone at a dealership, but I felt like online here I could be a bit more anonymous. Do they make a heavy duty set of steps or how sturdy are the normal ones that come on an RV? I recently found out they make Handicapped model RV's with larger entrance doors and even wheelchair lifts. I have considered one of these models as they have a wider walkway throughout and usually bigger bathrooms standard. I don't want to have to go that route unless I have to though.Any info is appreciated.

well welcome, you ain,t the only big guy out there, but to answer your question, I,d put a support under the step, on my friends, we had a aluminum square I had welded up ,slides under the step, and don,t be shy, you got questions ask, we,ll all learn some thing.

Welcome to the forum. I went to our local state park this past week and the camp host setup had a fifth wheel. He had setup a set of wooden steps to get into his unit instead of using the flimsy metal steps that most rv's have. i suspect with you having a big truck required to haul a fifth wheel you could come up with a similar plan.And I'm not trying to be humorous, just throwing it out there, but some fifth wheels have a garage for play toys such as motor cycles, golf carts, etc. these are typically called toy haulers. The key though is they have a ramp out the back.Good luck.

I'm a big guy too (about 400 lbs.) and I have not had any trouble with the steps on my hybrid or the TT in my signature. I couldn't use the bathroom in the hybrid so that was one requirement when we moved up to the TT. I have no problem getting in/out of the TT with the steps (no modifications), the shower and using the toilet. We plan to use the TT for snowbirding a couple of years from now. BTW, welcome to the forum. Also, we chose a TT over a 5er to avoid the extra steps on the inside.

I'm 6'2" and weighed about 260 and my steps broke. I started putting a block of wood under it when I used it. They're definitely not made for big guys. Also, the ladders on RVs aren't rated for big guys, either. Mine are rated for 220 lbs max.

I'm a little guy of 220 and cringed every time I stepped out my motor home as the steps would move downward and creek and groan. I solved my problem by getting a small scissor jack and placing it under the bottom step. The jack (being adjustable) can be raised or lowered due to the steps being at different heights when at different campgrounds/parks. Sometimes getting the coach level requires the steps to be further or closer to the ground.Hope this helpsRon

Question From a Really Big Guy Maybe You Can Answer

GMandJM
Explorer
Jul 27, 2015
Cool. Hope you comparison shopped. Prices are all over the place.

Hate to admit it, but I haven't ordered my new ones yet.
FishHaggis
Explorer
Jul 27, 2015
Just ordered two of those stabil jacks.....
allen8106
Explorer
Jul 26, 2015
Because wood blocks and such may not always be the correct height I saw a guy once using an automotive scissor jack under the bottom step. Its always the right height.
66vdub
Explorer
Jul 26, 2015
Thanks for sharing some great info!
I am 6-7 300 and it can be challenging at times.
GMandJM
Explorer
Jul 24, 2015
I like the seat riser idea. Although some of us (not naming names) gain enough winter weight that there's a possibility one's tummy might get in the way of a steering wheel.

There are all sorts of great modifications and assistive devices, tricks and tips. I'm sure the OP can find something he and his wife like that will work well for them.

The first step (bad pun totally intended) is getting them out to see some coaches!
TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Jul 24, 2015
GMandJM wrote:
This is an RV step stabilizer that is rated for 750 pounds.

Alot of dealers use two under each bottom step (one at each end) on the coaches they bring to RV shows.

At 312 been using them for five plus years and wont use steps without them. As far as driver seat leg room issue that has been brought up at 5'18" since I could not move seat back had a riser fabricated that raised the seat 4 inches. And ditto on high profile toilet.
restlesswind
Explorer
Jul 24, 2015
GMandJM wrote:
This is an RV step stabilizer that is rated for 750 pounds.

A lot of dealers use two under each bottom step (one at each end) on the coaches they bring to RV shows.

2 of them for sure, otherwise, that bottom step will feel like a teeter totter if you don't step right in the center.
Even average size folks have had the steps break on them. With the supports, the problem is pretty well taken care of
bsinmich
Explorer
Jul 23, 2015
Thetford makes risers for some of their toilet models. My DW had 3 knee replacements and liked the higher thrones. We did that for a previous Pace Arrow. She only had 2 legs but wore one out in 10 years.
GMandJM
Explorer
Jul 23, 2015
Houston Remodeler wrote:

4- He cannot squeeze past the bed or walk into the bedroom.

That's a very good point. The amount of space between the side of the bed and the wall is very "squeezy" in our RV and was even worse in our ViewFinder.

Also, if the OP is a tall person, when looking at MHs he may want to sit in the driver's seat with the slide in on the DS to make sure his seat can move back far enough to accommodate him.

There was a thread recently that indicated some taller drivers were uncomfortable because of the slide encumbering the chair placement. Not a concern for me, being one of those "vertically challenged" individuals.
FishHaggis
Explorer
Jul 23, 2015
Tall RV toilet?????? Well, I need to look that up. This is a good post!!

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