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Ain't got no steps!!

October 15, 2013, 09:35:38 am

Our '89 GV 36' ORED does not have any steps. Just a carryout "porch" apparatus. Yet the door and the door frame have the little magnets to actuate a power step mechanism. Our two large batteries are under the lift-up steps just inside the mid-entry door. Did FOT offer power steps in the '89 GV OREDs?

It is a pain in the derriere carrying the porch in and out, along with the darn thing taking up space in the kitchen. Especially when everything is wet.

Anyone from the '89 era have power steps? Where could I get the assembly if available?

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Re: Ain't got no steps!!

Reply #1 – October 15, 2013, 09:41:33 am

I'd call both Xtreme and FT and get a quote to install custom steps.  I doubt you're going to find 24 year old inventory anywhere, but both outfits do custom work all the time.  How much is your derriere worth?

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Re: Ain't got no steps!!

Reply #2 – October 15, 2013, 09:51:32 am

Nac is a ways to drive from Wisconsin.  Kwikee is the common manufacture of steps.  I would think they would have something that would work  Kwikee Steps - Power Gear
PPL sells them  Kwikee Parts for RV Electric Steps - PPL Motor Homes

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Re: Ain't got no steps!!

Reply #3 – October 15, 2013, 10:16:14 am

Oops, Brett. I should have said L-5 (degenerative and arthritis) and L-1 (virtually destroyed according to Dr and xrays). Really getting harder to lift "stuff", and having to reach out/extend the arms to lift the weight of the "porch" into the living area really irritates the spine.

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Re: Ain't got no steps!!

Reply #4 – October 15, 2013, 10:42:09 am

On my old Allegro, my steps quit working.  I used a light weight plastic kitchen stool, with a heavy weight string attached to it.  Tied the string in the middle of the stool platform and the other end inside the coach to the handrail.  It was not perfect, but it worked for quite some time until I got the step fixed.  Dragged it from campsite to dump more than once.  Started out a couple times with it out there too.  It was similiar to the one on the right below, except it had a hole in the middle for carrying.


My U225 was missing the step when I brought it.  It is a very long step up and down, but doable.  Kind of like skipping one step.  Could catch one of guard, if forgotten.  We got a Stromberg Carlson (# P-102) heavy duty step when we carry in the back of the toad.  It has held up very nicely, and I would purchase again.  And the transition from ground to the coach is perfect.  Much nicer than the oem Kwikee steps, except it is not automatically there.  The one on the left below.

Oh, on my U225, I did try to attach a manual pullout step.  It did not want to line up very well.  Had to be cantilevered way out from the coach.  I used a piece of heavy gauge aluminum plate to cantilever it out with, but it could not handle the weight.  Needed engineering and mechanical adaption beyond my capabilities!

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Reply #5 – October 15, 2013, 12:30:44 pm

Pat, thanks, I have the platform/porch that we use as a step. It has a mesh (expanded) top, the two ends can be folded up under the top. But we still have to bring it in and out whenever we stop & go. It may be for a day or a month the lifting in & out has to be done. It weighs about 20-25# and I made some three-tiered risers to accommodate the different heights I have at various CGs and RV parks. The risers are separated when lifting in/out but still get dirty and wet in bad weather. So, am trying to keep the gunk outside.

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Re: Ain't got no steps!!

Reply #6 – October 15, 2013, 01:13:09 pm

My 89 Grand Villa has the retractable steps. They work too,
Did they come standard originally, Or were they an optional extra,

I have the little white Plastic step that PatC has, for my left hand door, Where my Bar seat was,

I havent been camped in one spot long enough to try out whether the steps are easy to use or not,

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Re: Ain't got no steps!!

Reply #7 – October 15, 2013, 01:13:49 pm

We use a home-made carry-out step on our U225, too. Since it seldom rains here in the desert of central WA, we've never had an issue with bringing it inside.  We throw a "welcome" mat under it which keeps it out of the mud and allows us to wipe our feet first.

I'm going to make a much nicer step in the wood shop real soon now.

Craig

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Re: Ain't got no steps!!

Reply #8 – October 15, 2013, 11:15:03 pm

Hi nighthawk,
    From what little I know about the back, it looks like yours will probably get worse before it gets better.  Something extra to think about, "do you plan on keeping this coach for quite awhile?"  If so, consider pricing out the costs of a handicap lift, and putting the money that new steps would cost towards the lift.  It is still money out of your pocket, but, getting new steps and turning around to have them be usable for you is a little something to think about.  I have seen differing types of the lifts.  Some very simple, some very elaborate.  I think the one that goes beside the entrance door is one of the least expensive, no need for one that uses a whole new door.  These are body lifts as apposed to full wheel chair lifts.

Good luck, take care
LynnD  '01GV

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Re: Ain't got no steps!!

Reply #9 – October 16, 2013, 06:17:32 am

I would have an rv shop look into installing a set of Kwikee steps. They were on my 1988 Winnebago built on a John Deere (Oskosh) chassis and they were oem on my current U295.

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