Floor heights

[JohnRMoore]

Over the last year, my wife and I have had some health issues that make it difficult climbing in and out of our 5th wheel. It looks like TTs are lower (at least, the smaller models); wondering if that might work for us.

1) Would some of you tell us how high your floor is above the ground — say, bottom of door and straight down — and approximate trailer length? I suspect the lower heights will be on one-axle and other lighter-weight trailers; the lower floor won't help much if the trailer is too small for other needs.

2) Looking at photos online, I see many newer trailers have steps that appear to rotate into the trailer for travel, rather than folding up under the body as does our FW. (Or, do they detach and hang on the door's interior? I see them outside for use, and upright inside for storage, but nothing showing the transition.)

Does anyone know of a ramp that would rotate up into the trailer, possibly in two parts with a hinge in the middle (making the ramp longer and, thus, lessening the slope)?

TIA for your help.

[campigloo]

Maybe there is something available in the aftermarket handicap market. A shop may be able to build a small hydraulic or electric lift. They may be able to even mount it under the trailer where the steps used to be.

[prichardson]

There are a couple of companies that make various lifts that can be fitted on RVs including TTs and 5th wheels. They are fairly expensive but still much less than a new RV.

[colliehauler]

It depends on the trailer. Some are built with the floor level above the tires and some that are lower to the ground have wheel wells on the inside of the trailer.

[ndrorder]

As they are custom built, I don't know if the products this outfit markets will be any less than a new TT, but they do look like a clean solution to your problem. May even be up-gradable should more assistance be needed.

http://www.startrackslifts.com/

[JohnRMoore]

Those steps look great, but my wife's having difficulty lifting her legs enough to reach the next step. That's why I'm thinking about a trailer that sits lower to the ground. Even at that, a ramp is probably a better choice. OTOH, she's fallen on a ramp into our house. It was put in by a previous owner and is a little on the steep side: it's inside the garage, covering 2 steps up to interior floor level.

[Lwiddis]

I would explore JR’s ramp idea.

[JRscooby]

OP, sorry to hear about your issue. Have you thought about a ramp that would latch to and be supported by existing step? Or step bracket?
Maybe not as much fun as new trailer...

[mobeewan]

I believe the fold up steps you are looking for are the MORryde Stepabove steps. They come in different lengths depending on the height of your trailer floor from the ground and some models have a handrail that mounts to the side. I believe the handrail can be ordered as an add on but they do not fit 1st and 2nd generation steps with open side rails.
MORryde Stepabove

They are now making a detachable model. There are 2 brackets that mount below the door sill on the outside of the trailer as long as you have 2" with structure behind that 2" for mounting screws. The steps have trigger latches at the top that hook on to the bracket.

Both types can be purchased with adjustable legs at the bottom for uneven ground.