Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 09, 2025 ...

Carpeted Step into and out of tub / shower combo

September 06, 2011, 03:00:00 pm

My wife has been complaining about that little square carpeted step in front of the tub/shower.  It is hardly big enough to stand on with one foot while trying to get out of the shower.  On the early 90's 225/240 with the side bath and the tub/shower combo, you have to be a contortionist to get out of the shower (getting in is not so bad).  Considering the typical clientele for these rigs is older folks, I can't imagine what the designer was thinking.  No wonder my nearly 20 year old tub/shower looks new.  I call it the hip breaker.  Can anyone tell me what is under this step? Can it be removed?  There is a vent grille right next to it (which is why the step is minisule) and I don't want to block that but I would like to engineer some kind of folding step but the little square carpeted step will have to go first and I don't want to start ripping it apart only to find that I shouldn't have done that.  Anyone ever renovate their "hip breaker" in an early 90's side bath with tub / shower combo?

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Re: Carpeted Step into and out of tub / shower combo

Reply #1 – September 06, 2011, 03:06:13 pm

Dwayne, I do not have that setup as you describe, but just wondering if you could fabricate a larger landing or step surface to ease the exit / entry to the shower ? Just a question.
Dave M

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Reply #2 – September 06, 2011, 03:24:36 pm

Dwayne,

Our '92 280 does have the side bathroom with the tub/shower, but there is no step.  The tub is elevated, with the grill vent as you described, but just carpet on the floor.

Interesting that the same year but different model has a different setup in bath.

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Reply #3 – September 06, 2011, 03:59:24 pm

Dwayne,
We had the same little step in our 92 U240. We had it out once. It was held in with 2 square head screws that are hid in the carpet. The only thing that was behind ours was an access hole to get to the drain piping. The only other purpose  that it could  serve is to be an air duct for freeze protection for the drain and other piping that is behind it. It sure wasn't much for a step and that was the biggest reason we traded so we could have better entry and exit to the tub.
Pamela & Mike

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Reply #4 – September 06, 2011, 04:06:53 pm

Our 95 has the side bath also but the floor is flat with no step.  I agree that it is a hip breaker, the floor of the tub is higher than the floor outside and it requires a careful approach to keep from falling. The return air vent is in the wall under the shower door and I assume it extends under the tub to allow warm air circulation.
Gary B

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Reply #5 – September 06, 2011, 04:53:05 pm

suggestion. Take out that step and if you need one then build a bigger one (wider) and incorporate the vent in the riser part, then carpet it. takes care of both issues
John

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Reply #6 – September 06, 2011, 07:59:58 pm

We seem to have the same too small step at the shower entrance as well.  Glad I read the forum, I just thought it was part of the tandem drive wheel well.  Now I will have to explore more, as I too would like to remove it when we redo the floors in the future.

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Reply #7 – September 07, 2011, 09:49:11 am

I thought about making a larger step with a vent in the riser but there really isn't room for a wider step.  The solution would be a folding step but that will entail mounting hardware into the tub surround, which probably isn't a good idea.  Therefore I'm left with an externally supported structure for a folding step anchored on either end and possibly through the floor.  My other problem is the ceramic tile in the bathroom.  Based on the trim around the bottom of the step I'm sure the tile does not go under it.  Perhaps I'll remove the carpet and clad it in the same wood (teak?) and have the folding portion adjacent to it.  That should make it easier to anchor it side to side.  I was hoping someone already made a modification I could copy.  I guess I'll have to be the first.

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Reply #8 – September 07, 2011, 12:16:35 pm

Take a picture of the way it is now and post it. Maybe I can come up with and idea. Put some sizes in the post too
John

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Reply #9 – September 07, 2011, 11:08:40 pm

I took a picture today but didn't measure as I found while inspecting it with a mirror from the tub enclosure that the drain for the tub exits through the step to under the vanity.  Anything I do will have to incorporate the step.

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Reply #10 – September 08, 2011, 05:04:55 am

Hi Dwayne,

I have the same setup in my 91 U225. About all that comes to mind is to extend the step across the door opening and then extend the heat duct with a relocated grille. Still not easy getting out, but better than it was?

Am wondering about the floor - was ceramic an option, or did you do that yourself? My bathroom is carpeted throughout.

Steve

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Reply #11 – September 08, 2011, 08:26:57 am

Dwayne,  That's curious, from the picture mine is the same setup EXCEPT that I do not have the step, never thought anything about it.  If Mine had the step I would not be able to open the cabinet door.  Funny what engineers can think up to accommodate different problems.
Gary B

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Reply #12 – September 08, 2011, 10:16:49 am

Merle,

The tile was there when I bought the coach.  I think it was a factory option.  The same tile is in the hall and galley.  I have carpet everywhere else.  I wish they'd have done anything but carpet around the toilet.  One day I plan to put  laminate around the toilet, through the walkway in the living area (where most people have a carpet runner over the regular carpet) and in the raised cab area.

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Reply #13 – September 08, 2011, 12:19:07 pm

Dwayne, looking at the picture that would be a very simple change to make a bigger step and even 2 steps so it is level (almost) with the shower door bottom. It would also have the vent built into it if you want. They look like 12 " tiles so I guess the width is about 20-21 inches and 10-11 deep. So you just take the old one out then make the same style again but with the correct sizes and with the angle as shown in pic. In the front riser cut it out for vent cover and you do not need to use any ducting, just leave space open for air to circulate. Finish it any way you want to. Simple.
John

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