Hello All, time to replace the fold down entry step metal plate. My fiberglass cover is not riveted on, appears to be glued. Foretravel has the base plate, Encore has the anti skid tape with the logo on it. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to get the cover off without destroying it? Thought about heating the plate and see if it will come off. Thanks
I would call Xtreme and talk to James. He should be able to answer your questions about the step. His nr is 936-560-5888. Dan Stansel
Xtreme refurbished our step last week. I wasn't watching carefully, but here is what I think they did. They disconnected the rods from the air pistons. They drilled out all the rivets from the hinge. I think they drilled out rivets holding the fiberglass cover to the metal step. They used some mechanical method such as a chisel or scraper the complete the removal of the fiberglass cover from the metal step.
It was seriously rusted, and the cavity was full of rusted steel detritus from the step.
They cleaned the metal step thoroughly. They checked with me regarding the structural integrity of the metal. In spite of the rusted portions, it looked strong enough to me so they did not replace it. They put some filler on some of the rusted areas and coated it thoroughly with primer and a protective material.
They drilled some small drain holes in the fiberglass cover to allow water to drain from inside the step while it is deployed. They put everything back together with rivets, and used some kind on caulk/sealer to help prevent water from intruding easily into the step.
Bruce,
I repaired my step last year. I drilled out the rivets and carefully separated the fiberglass cover from the metal plate. There was a ton of loose rust on the inside. The plate was still structurally sound so I cleaned it down to white metal and painted it with Por15. BTW, I removed the fiberglass box that houses the cylinders and painted the structural metal. Properly prepared metal painted with Por15 will last dam near forever!!!! I finished the step top with Spray Rustoleum bedliner. I also drilled drain holes in the fiberglass.
I did mine while in Mexico last winter (with minimal tools) and the previous posts about what to do are what I did. I did drill two 1/4" holes in the steel frame and corresponding in the fiberglass so that when the step is up any water inside will drain out. I feel this is the reason it rusts so badly, design error. I also did not glue it back together as original but put a screw through both ends to hold fiberglass cover in place and just clear caulked it around. Now I can take it off every couple of years without removing hinge etc and check condition, then re-seal. I would also suggest to keep water out that you (if possible) change the wiring so you can retract the step when coach is parked. (see Barry's Modification pages).
I think this is the answer to keeping the step A1.
The folk at Xtreme drilled the fiberglass so it would drain when the step is down. Unless you have modified the system, the step is down most of the time and in a position to catch water and hold it. The holes to drain water in the down position should help to slow down the rusting process.
yes, that was my point about the change in wiring so the step is up most of the time. That way rain cannot get in while parked. Another thing that should be done (should have mentioned it in other posting) the rivets allow water in thru' the hole were the stud breaks off so I put some caulking in each one hoping that helps too. With the 2 screws in the end of step it is now an easy removal once a year to double check all is well
Thanks for the info guys.
Step done, rust scaled, sand blasted, metal treated, painted, nonskid applied. For all of us that have this type of step I was not able to find a new one or the fiberglass cover. If you had to have one made I would imagine it would be rather costly to have these pieces made.