Entry step broke, need new ram

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Entry step broke, need new ram

January 18, 2020, 06:47:13 pm

My entry step broke. When I stepped on it most of the rivets pulled out of the step and when doing so it bent the rod on one of the air cylinder. I pulled the step off and will use a step stool until I can fix it.
Where can I get a new cylinder and anybody know what the part number is?
Also if you can direct me to any posts about rebuilding the step I'd appreciate it.

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #1 – January 18, 2020, 06:58:51 pm

I replaced mine. Had it sent from FT. The issue I ran into was the c clip between the ram and the side of the box. Easier to get it off than on at the back of the box. I had three different shaped tools and almost cut out a section of the rear. On mine the bolt only fit one direction the hard way.

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #2 – January 19, 2020, 06:14:57 am

Jhardman rebuilt his and I think he has the dimensions

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #3 – January 19, 2020, 08:50:30 am

Folivier,
You will find info here on BeanAlarm that may help you find what you need and repair your step. Scroll down towards the end of the document and you will find info on the cylinder.
John M.

How the inside step slide and outside step operate [ForeForums Foretravel...

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #4 – January 19, 2020, 10:09:05 am

Thanks, I'll pull the cylinder when I get to my friend's shop and see what I have to do to the plate and cover. I definitely need to either try and straighten the air cylinder rod or replace it. Can't do that on the road.

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #5 – January 19, 2020, 10:53:56 am

my replacement cylinder arrived in a plastic tube marked "economair 2418-8111-RO2
made in the usa ARO"
the second 8 may be a B , i can't tell
hope this helps if you need a new cylinder

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #6 – January 19, 2020, 07:18:04 pm

I think it is a B. Here is a pic of one I ordered years ago.

Mark

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #7 – January 19, 2020, 10:36:10 pm

Hey yes, I had a new step built out of stainless steel , added a few more drain holes, and used stainless steel rivets. It wasn't an easy project, I can look for the auto cad spec sheet on the step dimensions.

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #8 – January 19, 2020, 10:53:14 pm

Tried PMing you but it wouldn't go through. PM m

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #9 – January 20, 2020, 09:32:06 am

Are you here at Q? I can copy it onto a thumb drive.

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #10 – January 20, 2020, 10:16:50 am

No, I'm in Texas, but can email it.

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #11 – January 20, 2020, 12:02:17 pm

Jonathan just so I can have it on file could you bring me a copy when you come to the mid south rally.

Keith

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #12 – January 20, 2020, 10:26:28 pm

I'll have the pdf with me on IPAD, o4 Dan email it any time between now and then!

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #13 – January 21, 2020, 10:48:04 pm

Quote from: jhardman – January 19, 2020, 10:36:10 pm

Hey yes, I had a new step built out of stainless steel , added a few more drain holes, and used stainless steel rivets. It wasn't an easy project, I can look for the auto cad spec sheet on the step dimensions.

Next project is to rebuild the steps. I purchased some King Starboard for the treads. I have read about putting in drain holes. Not sure where they go. Are you talking about on the step itself, or in the space it goes into?
Thanks
Bob

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #14 – January 24, 2020, 11:52:28 am

I had weep holes drilled on the long edge of the step and through the edge of the fiberglass cover. Trying to prevent rush. The original step was quite rusted. So when the step flips up for travel hopefully most water if it has penetrated the windshield caulk will drain out. I also used stainless steel. We don't full time so the step is rarely down for more than 4-5 days without being actuated to flip up. Our coach is stored indoors.

Keeping the step sealed is the best practice but the weep holes I don't think can hurt.

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #15 – January 24, 2020, 11:59:41 am

You can't keep the water out of it, but clean it up and use Rustolium or something similar to coat the inside. Then drill drain holes on the bottom of the flip down step as it sits closed. Never had an issue after the mod.

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #16 – January 25, 2020, 08:57:37 am

Pulled the entry step apart yesterday and cleaned it up. Metal is still in good condition so I'll prime it and start putting it back together in a couple days. Still need to pull the air cylinder out today and try to straighten the ram. Not bent badly as it will extend ok but not retract every time.

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #17 – January 25, 2020, 09:04:08 am

If you're building a new step from plans be aware that the size might be different for a '96 vs later years. Entry door got wider, expect the step did the same.

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #18 – January 25, 2020, 04:57:40 pm

Folivier, we used a lot of these type cylinders in industry. They have very short life span after straightening— it is really hard to get them exact
Bimba was one brand we used but they were all about the same
Those type air cylinders are non repairable— as in when you try to take them apart it will destroy the cylinder
Chris

Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

Entry step broke, need new ram

January 18, 2020, 06:47:13 pm

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #1 – January 18, 2020, 06:58:51 pm

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #2 – January 19, 2020, 06:14:57 am

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #3 – January 19, 2020, 08:50:30 am

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #4 – January 19, 2020, 10:09:05 am

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #5 – January 19, 2020, 10:53:56 am

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #6 – January 19, 2020, 07:18:04 pm

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #7 – January 19, 2020, 10:36:10 pm

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #8 – January 19, 2020, 10:53:14 pm

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #9 – January 20, 2020, 09:32:06 am

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #10 – January 20, 2020, 10:16:50 am

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #11 – January 20, 2020, 12:02:17 pm

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #12 – January 20, 2020, 10:26:28 pm

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #13 – January 21, 2020, 10:48:04 pm

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #14 – January 24, 2020, 11:52:28 am

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #15 – January 24, 2020, 11:59:41 am

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #16 – January 25, 2020, 08:57:37 am

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #17 – January 25, 2020, 09:04:08 am

Re: Entry step broke, need new ram

Reply #18 – January 25, 2020, 04:57:40 pm

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