On the round to it forever but I sort of finally addressed.
Not what I envisioned but will, at least for a while, make climbing up and down into the cabover easier.
Really wanted a wide tread ladder-but due to slide out, water tank box just would be involved.
Still may address later but for now...Simple extension of existing 'stirrup' into full width step.
Previously..
Step onto water tank box, then right foot on the 'stirrup', then hoist up onto bed. Just not getting any easier.
Every time I start to address end up stumped and giving up. Biggest hurtle is when slide out is in, no room for nice ladder.
It would need to hinge or be manually stored. Second is water tank box puts the foot of any 'ladder' out pretty far.
Studying above picture is when I concluded the real usage issue is the stirrup.
The distance wouldn't decrease but if full width, would allow to step onto it. Not hoisting with foot on it from water tank box,
or coming down, sliding down with left foot on stirrup till the right foot finds box.
Sketched it out..think this'll work, some (several) details but went and gathered up materials and started cutting.
Cut 3/4" plywood for the step, it'll hinge to side cabinet. Leg hinged to step, used 1/2 ply.
Cut it wider at base, hopefully to counter length of step against hinge.
Wrapped boards in leftover carpet, used scrap of 1/2"x3/4" al channel for a wider foot.
Standing new step against cabinet it wouldn't stand vertically-hit the 1x2 that use to hold drop in shelf and the top of cabinet.
I pulled the 1x2 and trimmed opposite end of top so only 1/2" overhang.
Simple hook and eye to hold up in stored position. Placed the removed 1x2 on floor to keep leg from folding under.
Deployed- Margaret really likes it. Watching though I noted how much leverage end of step was putting on piano hinge at cabinet end.
Tried to address but simply working the hinge.
Ordered some over-center cam latches. #4002, sold by many online vendors.
Bent the catches a bit and mounted reversed as latch will be pulling at right angle instead of flat as designed
'Just' enough room (1/8" clear) to swing handle over to engage latch into catches, then swing up to tension.
Shear luck but they securely plant end of step.
Not what I envisioned but will, at least for a while, make climbing up and down into the cabover easier.
Really wanted a wide tread ladder-but due to slide out, water tank box just would be involved.
Still may address later but for now...Simple extension of existing 'stirrup' into full width step.
Previously..
Step onto water tank box, then right foot on the 'stirrup', then hoist up onto bed. Just not getting any easier.
Every time I start to address end up stumped and giving up. Biggest hurtle is when slide out is in, no room for nice ladder.
It would need to hinge or be manually stored. Second is water tank box puts the foot of any 'ladder' out pretty far.
Studying above picture is when I concluded the real usage issue is the stirrup.
The distance wouldn't decrease but if full width, would allow to step onto it. Not hoisting with foot on it from water tank box,
or coming down, sliding down with left foot on stirrup till the right foot finds box.
Sketched it out..think this'll work, some (several) details but went and gathered up materials and started cutting.
Cut 3/4" plywood for the step, it'll hinge to side cabinet. Leg hinged to step, used 1/2 ply.
Cut it wider at base, hopefully to counter length of step against hinge.
Wrapped boards in leftover carpet, used scrap of 1/2"x3/4" al channel for a wider foot.
Standing new step against cabinet it wouldn't stand vertically-hit the 1x2 that use to hold drop in shelf and the top of cabinet.
I pulled the 1x2 and trimmed opposite end of top so only 1/2" overhang.
Simple hook and eye to hold up in stored position. Placed the removed 1x2 on floor to keep leg from folding under.
Deployed- Margaret really likes it. Watching though I noted how much leverage end of step was putting on piano hinge at cabinet end.
Tried to address but simply working the hinge.
Ordered some over-center cam latches. #4002, sold by many online vendors.
Bent the catches a bit and mounted reversed as latch will be pulling at right angle instead of flat as designed
'Just' enough room (1/8" clear) to swing handle over to engage latch into catches, then swing up to tension.
Shear luck but they securely plant end of step.
Just updating: Fixed
What I should have done after receiving the latches, but almost worked.
Removed step leg, remounted inboard.
Relocate the latch catches to match and the stop block with an additional 1/8" between it and catches.
Once leg down, latch hoops stay in catches, cant come out, but a bit easier to insert.
Gained almost an inch for latch handles and more room for hands. Slide can be ยฑ2" from full extension and latches work.
What I should have done after receiving the latches, but almost worked.
Removed step leg, remounted inboard.
Relocate the latch catches to match and the stop block with an additional 1/8" between it and catches.
Once leg down, latch hoops stay in catches, cant come out, but a bit easier to insert.
Gained almost an inch for latch handles and more room for hands. Slide can be ยฑ2" from full extension and latches work.
Well the step 'adjustments' are on hold.
When I had offloaded camper I found later the cardboard I used so bumpers slides on bed coating was soaked.
Looking under camper water is dripping out of every seam.
Disassembled the water tank box assuming at worst tank cracked and need to remove.
Took a while to register, its setting over against the right side. Tank moved 3" sideways. There's no restraint to stop it?
What happened was we hit a very narrow but deep/unmarked cement gutter crossing road on a back street making a wrong turn. Hit it hard.
Anyway- Removed small tin box to remove fill and vent hoses preparing to remove tank, discovered fill was already loose! Determined when tank moved hose caught edge of hole as shown-simply pulled it off. Sloshing water out. Pulled the hose, re-position tank and added blocks to floor stopping movement. Opened up the hole about 3/4". Reattached the fill (and replaced the vent-its black inside) Refilled the tank 3/4 and went for a very long weaving bouncing drive, doing everything to make it slosh. Pretty sure this was the source but want to make sure. Got home its bone dry. Whew!
Campers still apart letting it air out, been a week. As its open and our black tank hasn't registered in a while (and I cut the fresh sender wire) we decided to take the opportunity add a See Level system to monitor tanks. Eventually get back to the step when I put it all back together...
When I had offloaded camper I found later the cardboard I used so bumpers slides on bed coating was soaked.
Looking under camper water is dripping out of every seam.
Disassembled the water tank box assuming at worst tank cracked and need to remove.
Took a while to register, its setting over against the right side. Tank moved 3" sideways. There's no restraint to stop it?
What happened was we hit a very narrow but deep/unmarked cement gutter crossing road on a back street making a wrong turn. Hit it hard.
Anyway- Removed small tin box to remove fill and vent hoses preparing to remove tank, discovered fill was already loose! Determined when tank moved hose caught edge of hole as shown-simply pulled it off. Sloshing water out. Pulled the hose, re-position tank and added blocks to floor stopping movement. Opened up the hole about 3/4". Reattached the fill (and replaced the vent-its black inside) Refilled the tank 3/4 and went for a very long weaving bouncing drive, doing everything to make it slosh. Pretty sure this was the source but want to make sure. Got home its bone dry. Whew!
Campers still apart letting it air out, been a week. As its open and our black tank hasn't registered in a while (and I cut the fresh sender wire) we decided to take the opportunity add a See Level system to monitor tanks. Eventually get back to the step when I put it all back together...
AnEv942 wrote:SidecarFlip wrote:
Aren't the latches adjustable for cam over tension?
Yes, which I've had to readjust. Mainly its the front latch, handle hits converter wont swing down enough so that latch hoop goes into catch. Both hoop of latches and bottom of step leg trying to fit between the catch and wood block at same time.
Just need to move both the catches and wood block away from converter and increase the space between them and each other. Details
Part of the issue is one end of step is attached to slide the other to fixed floor- on the truck/ground twist or in the drive stuff never quite the same. Probably tonight when we stop it'll likey be the back hoop that hitting. Dime against a dollar when we get home -offload on the cement it'll all work like set up...
Great step Mod.
Could you move the wood block to the left side and the latches to the right under the step? that may work better and you won't have to wedge your hand in between the converter and the step support (Just a thought)
Nice carpentry.
Would you figure it out for small access as well, I would be all for it.
I see you camper had factory small step on the side. I had that on Fleetwood and it was all we needed.
Our present Lance doesn't have it and we use plastic stool for now.
Would you figure it out for small access as well, I would be all for it.
I see you camper had factory small step on the side. I had that on Fleetwood and it was all we needed.
Our present Lance doesn't have it and we use plastic stool for now.
SidecarFlip wrote:
Aren't the latches adjustable for cam over tension?
Yes, which I've had to readjust. Mainly its the front latch, handle hits converter wont swing down enough so that latch hoop goes into catch. Both hoop of latches and bottom of step leg trying to fit between the catch and wood block at same time.
Just need to move both the catches and wood block away from converter and increase the space between them and each other. Details
Part of the issue is one end of step is attached to slide the other to fixed floor- on the truck/ground twist or in the drive stuff never quite the same. Probably tonight when we stop it'll likey be the back hoop that hitting. Dime against a dollar when we get home -offload on the cement it'll all work like set up...
