steps U320

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steps U320

October 29, 2018, 09:26:16 am

Was watching a RV Geek video about Newmar New Aire coach, RV GEEKS and their steps open up for storage, and I thought that was a neat idea. Anyone know what is under our steps? Empty space or something else? Since I need to redo the steps one of these days, thought it might be nice to add some storage there if possible.
Thanks
Bob

Re: steps U320

Reply #1 – October 29, 2018, 09:55:47 am

That would be nice. I wish the stairs were better insulated, and putting dead air storage behind them would help.

Len

Re: steps U320

Reply #2 – October 29, 2018, 10:06:32 am

Some have put a drawer in the steps space.
New drawer under steps

Some have the second step hinged to open up to the space below.
Under step storage

There is room behind the flap where the fold up step closes.

Re: steps U320

Reply #3 – October 29, 2018, 10:09:53 am

On our U320, 2003, the middle step lifts up for storage.

Re: steps U320

Reply #4 – October 29, 2018, 01:23:19 pm

There is not a lot of void space, but what there is hides behind the second step if you count coming down from the top. I had to pretty much rebuild the bottom of our step box, and while there, I added a bit of storage. The reason for the rebuild is the famous mushy first step syndrome that many of the coaches in our era suffered from. Foretravel made a design decision to eliminate the ridge on the bottom of the entry door and called the design a wet step. Not their greatest moment

I knew there was a problem there when we bought our coach, but the extent of it was a surprise to say the least. Anyway, I had to cut out a large portion of the bottom subfloor (plywood), and replaced it with Starboard, a marine lumber impervious to water and UV. While there, I took the opportunity to add storage under the second step. The step surface is friction fit, not hinged and therefore is quite stealthy... in effect, a 'secret' compartment. I doubt it would be worth the effort to modify the second step in a coach that didn't need work in that area anyway, but hard to say since ours was so far gone that it needed extensive work. I took the opportunity to seal and insulate the back of the step compartment at the same time. I had to remove the drop down air operated step box to access the area, but if you were just working on the second step to make storage, you wouldn't have to do that. These pictures were taken during the process, but before completion.
Don

Quote from: Bob and Julie – October 29, 2018, 09:26:16 am

Was watching a RV Geek video about Newmar New Aire coach, RV GEEKS and their steps open up for storage, and I thought that was a neat idea. Anyone know what is under our steps? Empty space or something else? Since I need to redo the steps one of these days, thought it might be nice to add some storage there if possible.
Thanks
Bob

Re: steps U320

Reply #5 – October 30, 2018, 12:51:07 am

Thanks Don, was what I wanted to know. Read your post on doing it thanks to Roger, Thanks Roger for the link.
What is under the step above the one you made into storage? Could you have made it into storage as well?
The forward plywood bulkhead the salesman switch is on on mine has some wood rot as well. Did you have to touch that at all? Wonder what is behind it.

I'm waiting on Cranemans install of the sliding steps and might redo the entire thing next year. There is definitely damage on our stairs, repaired by a previous owner, but not well. Step is water damaged and mushy. I can already see what stuff I would put in that storage space. A electronic thermometer for checking tire temp, tire pressure gauge, a pair of pliers and multi screwdriver, duct tape, some cleaning stuff. The other one might be shoes if I can make one.
Bob

Re: steps U320

Reply #6 – October 30, 2018, 01:15:11 am

I chickened out after looking everything over, and I am taking the steps with me to do the headlight conversion and Xtreme will install my step while there. I could get the steps mounted but cosmetically just wouldn't look right. Body work is just not my thing

Re: steps U320

Reply #7 – January 01, 2020, 11:07:26 pm

OK so its taken a little while but on track to redoing the floors and stairs.
Ordered some pretty nice LV at a local flooring store. Ordered 190 sq feet. Should be here in a week or so.
Started to remove the tile flooring and its going better than I thought it would. Still will have to grind the adhesive off though. That will make a mess I bet.
For the stairs, was about to order Rubber stair treads from Kofflersales.com when I remembered this post. So I went back and reread it. And Don, I am changing my mind and going with the Starboard like you used. The price is better for one, and I agree that it will be a better product than ply with stair tread over it. The Koffler stair treads will cost $223 with shipping with a optional grit strip. The starboard $187. I am going with 1/4" for the riser and 3/4" for the tread. Will put in a compartment in the 2nd step with piano hinge.
My first step is toast and will have to rebuild that as well, but still want to put in the sliding steps at some point. Don't like that first step at all. A accident waiting to happen imo.
I have to many projects .....

Re: steps U320

Reply #8 – January 01, 2020, 11:14:24 pm

having trouble uploading pics. will try again.

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something up with the site I wonder.... will try again tomorrow.

Re: steps U320

Reply #9 – January 02, 2020, 01:23:42 am

I use the space behind the flap for large wrenches (in a low profile tool box) and a door mat.

Re: steps U320

Reply #10 – January 28, 2020, 09:51:15 am

OK Don I see what you mean about the poor design of the wet step.
Seems it is just a piece of aluminum with foam on top, then wood. And of course the wood was not sealed. The foam is mush. I took the foam out, built a piece of wood to help support the step, epoxied it to seal it, and put in new foam. It will still be slightly open below, but the main part should be sealed. I will use a epoxy adhesive to fix it all, plus bolts to the frame, which I treated for rust.
The second step inside was to have a piano hinge to open it. But finding it harder to do than I thought. Might have to cut the Starboard to make a opening, which I don't want to do, so will do as you did I think and friction fit it. Not sure how easy it will be then to access it, so might just store flares and markers in it in case we have to pull off the highway. Some of the wood bulkhead in front of the stairs in rotted at the top and bottom. Its 3/4" ply. They should have sealed this. They didn't.... I put some penetrating epoxy in there to hopefully fix it. Didn't want to remove it all. To much work for me right now. This is a side job till the rest of my subfloor supplies come in, so I can finish the flooring once and for all. I'll post some pics when finished.
Bob

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steps U320

October 29, 2018, 09:26:16 am

Re: steps U320

Reply #1 – October 29, 2018, 09:55:47 am

Re: steps U320

Reply #2 – October 29, 2018, 10:06:32 am

Re: steps U320

Reply #3 – October 29, 2018, 10:09:53 am

Re: steps U320

Reply #4 – October 29, 2018, 01:23:19 pm

Re: steps U320

Reply #5 – October 30, 2018, 12:51:07 am

Re: steps U320

Reply #6 – October 30, 2018, 01:15:11 am

Re: steps U320

Reply #7 – January 01, 2020, 11:07:26 pm

Re: steps U320

Reply #8 – January 01, 2020, 11:14:24 pm

Re: steps U320

Reply #9 – January 02, 2020, 01:23:42 am

Re: steps U320

Reply #10 – January 28, 2020, 09:51:15 am

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