Whats with step height, I'm old, man

[aruba5er]

I just went to an RV show and looking for a new fifth wheel. The steps getting into the unit's are higher than I can comfortably manage and when I got into them the steps leading to the bedroom/bath are just as bad. I told the salesman "If this were a stick and brick home, you could NOT a get occupancy permit" The steps going to the bedroom where 11 inches riser. Home they are 7 1/4. Just cannot believe it. and the outside where higher. Changed my 3 step to four last year and what a differance and when I bought my camper 10 years ago I made the inside steps 3 instead of two. I'd rather not go thru all that again. After looking at the new crop of RV's I think it will be another 10 years before I buy anything. What a bunch of JUNK. The carpet was SO cheap. the bath fan was that little one that's so noisy. I told one person"i see they got one of the $3 fans in the bath, Do you know why they have that? They ran out of the $2 ones"Oh, yeh the mattress in the bunk house where Marked Platinum and about 2 inches thick.

[bsinmich]

I am also disable to the point of using a walker to get around. There are 6 steps up into my Mountain Aire. That makes it difficult to get in for me. I will be selling it when the warm weather gets here because I bought a 19' Roadtrek from my neighbor that I can get into easy. Everybody likes the basement storage but that is why they are so high.

[tll]

Here is another good example of not having good construction standards in the RV industry. If you built absolutely anything else in this country with steps, if it wasn't built to some standard you would be forced to rebuild them. This prevents people from getting injured and just makes sense.

[ependydad]

Dtank wrote:
"Coach Lift"

.

That CoachLift is pretty awesome. I camped next to a guy in Florida who it would have been perfect for. It was downright terrifying watching him come out of his rig. 😞 My heart felt for him.

[ependydad]

SH wrote:

ependydad wrote:
I also really dislike the interior steps- when it's the middle of the night, dark, and I'm headed back because the baby is crying, those steps can be treacherous.

Just in case you haven't already thought of this, THESE little guys do work pretty good!

That's a good idea. I actually would like that for it pointing at the entry door as you have go inside of the dark camper to reach the switch to turn the lights on.

The height of the steps and a 3am sleepy foggy brain are the biggest issue, though. BUT! Fortunately, he's getting older now and it's less and less of an issue.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

I also know two folks who really like RV travel and camping - but cannot climb RV steps. One sits down backwards inside the trailer door and scoots in.

The other's husband built a ramp which takes up a lot of the pickup bed and a bit of setup - but she can walk up it.

I haven't seen a Coach Lift on a 5er or a TT, but several on Class A units.

[Dtank]

Dog Folks wrote:
I am disabled. We have two doors on our unit. The front door is 20 inches wide with only two steps.

The rear door is 24 inches wide with three steps for the same amount of rise.

As my disability becomes worse, I can just barely get in the trailer using the front door. The rear door, with it's 3 steps, is much easier.

Two steps only would be a deal breaker in any new trailer.

With bad knee/s, and/or any other disability - the 5th "we" bought
before - is not so wonderful now..:(

Even with a TT - steps may be a negative.
(But at least there's none *inside*!)

So, do you sell/trade and take a 'bath' on a replacement - or modify what you have..:h


"Coach Lift"

.

[SH]

ependydad wrote:
I also really dislike the interior steps- when it's the middle of the night, dark, and I'm headed back because the baby is crying, those steps can be treacherous.

Just in case you haven't already thought of this, THESE little guys do work pretty good!

[ependydad]

It's not just the old that are bothered by the steps. I want to spend the money on a set of 4 steps for the outside of my camper. But I also really dislike the interior steps- when it's the middle of the night, dark, and I'm headed back because the baby is crying, those steps can be treacherous. I really wish manufacturers went will shorter steps.

[Dog_Folks]

I am disabled. We have two doors on our unit. The front door is 20 inches wide with only two steps.

The rear door is 24 inches wide with three steps for the same amount of rise.

As my disability becomes worse, I can just barely get in the trailer using the front door. The rear door, with it's 3 steps, is much easier.

Two steps only would be a deal breaker in any new trailer.

[tomman58]

Never cared for a 5er because on many things and the steps were part of my thinking. Can't imagine having a few cocktails then falling down the steps to go to the bathroom. Secondly just how do you get out in a fire? Oh yeah the drop from the bedroom is over 6' for anyone over thirty you are looking at broken bones.
I have a 40' TT. The only complaint is the outside steps being tall. I'll correct that next year with a portable set for long RV park stays.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Have several friends who have sold their fifth wheels because they can't take the interior steps anymore.

Some went to TT, one couple to Class C and a few to Class A.

[downtheroad]

Might want to look at the new nicer TT's no steps to the bedroom.
and....you should she beds that aren't marked as "premium." At least the premium has a 2 inch pad....:E

[rockhillmanor]

Have to agree with you on the lack of quality materials. To downright just real cheap junk in the new models of all RV's.

I was going to buy new this year and after looking at the show at all of them I'm going to go find and buy a well built used one or bite the bullet and step up to one of the quality built coaches and eat the depreciation loss.

Bottom line I think the only buyer demographic these manufacturere are going to have on these cheaply made new models is a brand new RV'er who thinks that's just the way it is and has nothing in their past RV'ing to compare them to.

The old timers know better and have a better grip on all what is going to break and wear out quickly in these new cheaply made models and either buy used or step up to a higher end priced RV to get the quality.