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Best steps for our tic's ever.

bigfootford
Nomad II
Nomad II
I have had the Torklift Glow steps for over a year and thought they were the best ever. My bigfoot with a basement needs a lot of steps! My original steps were scary to say the least, sagging and swaying. Glow steps ended that... Now Torklift has added a feature to the glow steps that solves all the problems that camper steps need to be perfect, adjustable feet!

Check it out...


Here's a video of the new Glow Steps:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccDt0YndXHE
2000 2500 9.6 Bigfoot,94 F250, Vision 19.5, Bilstein shocks, air bags/pump, EU2000, PD 9260, Two Redodo 100ah Mini's, Aims 2500 Conv/Inv, 200W. solar, Morningstar Sunsaver 15A/ display panel, Delorme/laptop for travel, Wave-3 heat.
35 REPLIES 35

HMS_Beagle
Explorer
Explorer
You can make any scissors steps taller by replacing the vertical links with longer ones. That will change the rise for each step and the overall height by the proportionate amount. When folded, the steps will not stack exactly on top of each other (parallel but a little tilt to the stack). If that is important you do need to make the steps deeper by a like amount.
Bigfoot 10.4E, 2015 F350 6.7L DRW 2WD, Autoflex Ultra Air Ride rear suspension, Hellwig Bigwig sway bars front and rear

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
Since I bought my Arctic Fox, I have been using the Torklift GlowSteps. There are plenty examples showing how strong they are compared to cheaper scissor steps and that was big selling point for me. All was great with my GlowSteps and I even added the GlowGuide - With my truck turned to the left, I could even use them with trailer still attached.



As you can see, I have mine mounted under the threshold and five steps gets you to the ground. So why did I write all "was" great instead of "is"? Well, we upgraded to larger truck and the camper now sits on a flat bed deck. This extra height required two more steps, but Torklift does not suggest going beyond six steps. While I contemplated what I would do, I used a trusty Harbor Freight stool to bring the ground closer to the steps.



With this setup I could still use the GlowGuide, but that first step was double height, so I would have needed to carry something else or find a better solution. One thought was to remount the GlowSteps on the bumper and use the Basement Camper Step.



I did not like the transition between the threshold, basement step and scissor step since step size and height changed require attention to footing. There had to be a way make taller folding steps. Torklift has been good about giving dimensions and weight capacities of their GlowSteps, so I knew I could probably go with seven 8" deep steps and safely use them as long as never try to carry my wife up and down at the same time (I'll let your imagination run on that thought). I contacted the people at Torklift and the engineers came up with what I call the GlowStep Magnum.





Obviously, it is two steps taller than my previous GlowSteps and I went from 6" deep tread to 8". However, look closer at the scissors - Torklift went from three links on each side to four. This allows for the same or better rigidity of their original GlowSteps but with much greater reach.





Yes, my GlowGuide will still work these steps and since they are the same width as my previous steps, they will still clear my trailer tongue when attached.

Now some of you may think this is a niche product for the snooty chassis cab owners that literally have our heads in the clouds, but this is not the case. Any of you that run taller 4wd vehicles will also have more options now instead of needing to set up additional footing. There are also RV owners who may not have height restrictions but weight capacity may be too close to their rating. Finally there are ones that like a solid step with even less flex than what the current GlowSteps can provide. Hmm, maybe this isn't overkill...

Host Mammoth 11.5 on Ram 5500 HD

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
Torklift has just created some big boy sky high steps I am calling the GlowStep Magnum. Those of you needing even more stable steps, greater weight capacity or taller reach will like these. I should have some pictures posted tomorrow of what their engineering team created.

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Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
More2Explore wrote:
Would love to see a FOX LANDING REVOLUTION! That would solve the diving board issue and that giant first step up onto the fox landing. But then there would be some serious origami trying to fold that contraption!!! :B

It wouldn't take much to mount the Revolution under the Fox Landing instead of using the current flip steps. The trick would be make sure the Revolution clears the tongue when flipped down. With the ability to add or remove GlowSteps based on your truck height, it would be more universal than the current offering.

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tonymull
Explorer
Explorer
Photomike wrote:
tonymull wrote:
They do look great and I'm a big Torklift fan...but for 20% of the cost I'll stick to my Little Giant step ladder. It has lots of uses other than steps. Solid as a rock.


I agree that their product is costly but after having the cheap steps for years having the Glow Steps is such a huge improvement! I use my camper a lot different than most people, it is my office, home, gear storage and so much more when traveling. Having a safe and secure way to get in and out the 30 or 40 times a day is sure nice. Also when carrying my gear up or down the steps it is a lot more secure for me as now it is like doing stairs at home instead of a swinging bridge of the old stairs.

Next purchase is the hand rail and the covers for behind the steps, that should help even more to make it like the stairs at home.

I agree regarding the usual scissor steps. They will hurt you eventually. The little giant has to be folded and strapped down when traveling and they are not light, so the Glowsteps are definitely more convenient. $500 vs $100 though?? And as I said the step ladder has more uses around camp. I have altered mine so they include a hand rail, although the rail is not as steady as the Torklift ones, those are like a rock, and of course it doesn't turn into a car wash ๐Ÿ˜‰


Changing the steps to the Glow Steps will help me to extend the length of time I keep the TCer as it is a lot easier and hopefully safer for me to go in and out.




I agree regarding the usual scissor steps. They will hurt you eventually. The little giant has to be folded and strapped down when traveling and they are not light, so the Glowsteps are definitely more convenient. $500 vs $100 though?? And as I said the step ladder has more uses around camp. I have altered mine so they include a hand rail, although the rail is not as steady as the Torklift ones, those are like a rock, and of course it doesn't turn into a car wash ๐Ÿ˜‰

Photomike
Explorer III
Explorer III
tonymull wrote:
They do look great and I'm a big Torklift fan...but for 20% of the cost I'll stick to my Little Giant step ladder. It has lots of uses other than steps. Solid as a rock.


I agree that their product is costly but after having the cheap steps for years having the Glow Steps is such a huge improvement! I use my camper a lot different than most people, it is my office, home, gear storage and so much more when traveling. Having a safe and secure way to get in and out the 30 or 40 times a day is sure nice. Also when carrying my gear up or down the steps it is a lot more secure for me as now it is like doing stairs at home instead of a swinging bridge of the old stairs.

Next purchase is the hand rail and the covers for behind the steps, that should help even more to make it like the stairs at home.

Changing the steps to the Glow Steps will help me to extend the length of time I keep the TCer as it is a lot easier and hopefully safer for me to go in and out.
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More2Explore
Explorer
Explorer
Would love to see a FOX LANDING REVOLUTION! That would solve the diving board issue and that giant first step up onto the fox landing. But then there would be some serious origami trying to fold that contraption!!! :B
2014 Wolf Creek 850 SB
2013 F-350 SCB SB 4X4 6.2 L

HMS_Beagle
Explorer
Explorer
jwally9844 wrote:
Torklift website says its made from aircraft grade aluminum.

Good thing they used aircraft grade aluminum (6061-T6) rather than lawn chair grade aluminum (6061-T6). ๐Ÿ™‚
Bigfoot 10.4E, 2015 F350 6.7L DRW 2WD, Autoflex Ultra Air Ride rear suspension, Hellwig Bigwig sway bars front and rear

tonymull
Explorer
Explorer
They do look great and I'm a big Torklift fan...but for 20% of the cost I'll stick to my Little Giant step ladder. It has lots of uses other than steps. Solid as a rock.

bigfootford
Nomad II
Nomad II
trail-explorer wrote:
bigfootford wrote:

Here's a video of the new Glow Steps:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccDt0YndXHE


but those are steps for travel trailers, not truck campers.


Steps can be used in several applications.

Jim
2000 2500 9.6 Bigfoot,94 F250, Vision 19.5, Bilstein shocks, air bags/pump, EU2000, PD 9260, Two Redodo 100ah Mini's, Aims 2500 Conv/Inv, 200W. solar, Morningstar Sunsaver 15A/ display panel, Delorme/laptop for travel, Wave-3 heat.

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
Your StableSteps are called LandingGear by Torklift. you remove the bottom loop base of your current GlowStep and replace it with the two adjustable feet.


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jefe_4x4
Explorer
Explorer
I have the glow steps and think they are the best so far. In order to be more unseen while overnighting, I tried a short aluminum step ladder that hangs on the TC ladder once you are in for the night to replace the G.S.'s. BZZZT! Wrong. So the G.S.'s are back on.
On uneven ground (the only kind I usually see) there is the twisting problem. I try to position the TC so our bed heads are slightly uphill. Sometimes that makes the stairs too long so I just don't pull them out as far, which helps a bit. l use what ever is at hand to even the playing field. I've used the plastic leveling blocks if the steps need more altitude, using two or one depending: very sturdy, even on sand. Sometimes I just use a rock or piece of tree branch that may be lying around. I've often thought of taking a couple of chain saw plastic wedges that can make minute adjustments to the ground like a carpenter does with door frames, accordioning in and out making the best evenness. I've used rubber axle snubbers to no avail. Too wobbly. As I get older, the stability of the ground to TC interface becomes more important. I too have a problem with how small the feet are on the new steps. In any soft surface they will sink. They need more floatation producing less ground pressure.
What are they going to call the new lower portions, Stable Steps?
jefe
'01.5 Dodge 2500 4x4, CTD, Qcab, SB, NV5600, 241HD, 4.10's, Dana 70/TruTrac; Dana 80/ TruTrac, Spintec hub conversion, H.D. susp, 315/75R16's on 7.5" and 10" wide steel wheels, Vulcan big line, Warn M15K winch '98 Lance Lite 165s, 8' 6" X-cab, 200w Solar

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
Revolution can be used on side entry TC's in addition to MH, TT, TH, and FW applications. LandingGear can be used on any GlowSteps and allows you to deploy them on uneven ground.

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trail-explorer
Explorer
Explorer
bigfootford wrote:

Here's a video of the new Glow Steps:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccDt0YndXHE


but those are steps for travel trailers, not truck campers.
Bob

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
skipro3 wrote:
So are those feet an option that can be added? I just bought my steps for my camper a few weeks ago and there was nothing like these available at that time.

There were some early presentations and shows seeking feedback about the new products, but today was the big announcement and pre-orders were opened up.

Screw type footings could be used, but you will want something with a larger foot pad that will not sink in soft ground.

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