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Front door step on our U320

August 19, 2015, 03:59:02 pm

I want to get the metal housing and brackets cleaned up and power coated. Also need to seal it for water leaks.
Does anyone know how to remove the fiberglass out side shell from the frame?
Do we need to remove the "Foretravel" nonskid mat from the step to find screws underneath it?

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Re: Front door step on our U320

Reply #1 – August 19, 2015, 04:06:28 pm

No there are really no screws holding it in place. At least none on ours. They sealed it with a caulking that hardened up so best to get a thin sharpish blade and try to get it between the metal and fibreglass and "chisel" carefully away all around. Some owners seem to have pop rivets holding it on but doubt it. Once off and you have had all the rust taken off the metal framing and painted I put mine back and hold it in plave with a metal stainless small screw one on each end. I then used silicone caulking to seal the surrounding edge to metal. Before putting it back you need to drill 3 or 4 1/8 " holes along the lower edge so when it is in store position any water will run out. I also drilled corresponding holes thru the cross frames so water is not trapped in framing.
 Fairly simple job just be careful when trying to get that cover off.
JohnH

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Re: Front door step on our U320

Reply #2 – August 19, 2015, 04:48:13 pm

Dick,

After scraping the rust and crud from the edges between the steel step and fiberglass cover, with a large straight screwdriver I worked around the perimeter prying gently with a twisting motion, much like opening a can of paint.  At first it did not act like it wanted to come free, but after a few times around it started to move then popped loose.

As others here have done, I applied Rust-Oleum truck bed liner to all surfaces of the metal step (after cleaning and priming).  Finished surface looks great and is very non-skid. 

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Re: Front door step on our U320

Reply #3 – August 19, 2015, 05:02:53 pm

On my doorstep the fiberglass cover is held in place with stainless pop rivets.  I was surprised that FT had the metal part for  a reasonable price,  it's been a few years since I replaced it.  Powder coated steel, but I added some paint where the powder coat was thin (on the inside).  Caulked the gap, so water doesn't get inside, but left the drain holes open in case it does.

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Re: Front door step on our U320

Reply #4 – August 20, 2015, 12:51:02 pm

Got the step apart today. Looks like only rust was holding it together.
FT wants $220 (+shipping) for the new metal step plus the non skid is black with no Foretravel design. We can get that anywhere.

Will check with a power coating shop for rehab cost. Should be doable.

What is the suggest for reattaching the fiber glass shell to the metal frame?  3M Marine 4200? Something else?

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Re: Front door step on our U320

Reply #5 – August 20, 2015, 06:37:54 pm

Dick, just as I said earlier use 2 screws , one either end to hold it in place then caulk around to stop water entry. This allows one to remove it yearl with no problems and put it back all in minutes.
JohnH

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Re: Front door step on our U320

Reply #6 – August 20, 2015, 07:19:13 pm

When I said reasonable price, it wasn't $220, more like $30-40.  I did have to drill holes for the hinge rivets and cover. 

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Re: Front door step on our U320

Reply #7 – October 04, 2015, 11:11:10 am

Sorry in the slow response about our front step. There has been a lot of going on in our world.
The power coating came out just great. Located a rubberized non skip material for the step. Used Permatex Black Silicone to reattach the fiberglass shell to the metal frame.  There were 2 drain holes already in the shell and metal frame. So far, no leaks.

Will post pictures soon. Just dropped the bus off at our service shop for our routine service before heading South.

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