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Topic: Step cover inop 05 U320 (Read 671 times) previous topic - next topic

Step cover inop 05 U320

Hi folks,
We're on our 3rd day of our maiden voyage in our new to us 05 U320.  Just stopped at a rest area and the step cover will not open with either passenger or driver switch.  Was working fine before this stop.  Any suggestions?  Thanks, Harvey
Harvey and Mary Ann
40' 94 Country Coach Affinity no slides
40' 00 Country Coach Affinity 1 slide
42' 09 American Eagle 3 slides
45' 18 Newmar Mountain Aire 3 slides
40' 05 Foretravel U320 2 slides current

Step cover 05 U320

Reply #1 –
We just completed our maiden voyage from Fl to CT in our new to us 05 U320.  We made several stops and the step cover was operating fine.  The last rest area stop, the cover would not open with either of the switches.  Does anyone have suggestions as to why it would just stop working?  We did encounter some very rough roads in the northeast states and wonder if something got disconnected?  Thanks! Harvey and Mary Ann
Harvey and Mary Ann
40' 94 Country Coach Affinity no slides
40' 00 Country Coach Affinity 1 slide
42' 09 American Eagle 3 slides
45' 18 Newmar Mountain Aire 3 slides
40' 05 Foretravel U320 2 slides current

Re: Step cover 05 U320

Reply #2 –
There are a pair of air valves electrically controlled below the floor on the passenger side. One for the step and one for the step well cover.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Step cover 05 U320

Reply #3 –
You can manually pull the step cover in.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Step cover inop 05 U320

Reply #4 –
Check the regulators behind entry step.  Should be putting out about 60 psi.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Step cover inop 05 U320

Reply #5 –
This is from an old thread that Mike Rash posted with pics. Hope it helps

You need to check your shuttle valve/ Norgen valve that transfers an electrical signal to an air movement. It has a coil on top of it with wires  coming out. Take a Volt meter and check the connector to see if you are getting a signal when you push the button. Check the resistance on the coil to see if it is burned up.  If all this checks good then you may have to remove the valve and take it apart and clean the crud out of the little piston.  Now you are looking for a little square box mounted to the back of the step cover. Not only does it have wires coming out of it, it has several air lines connected to it.

Here is what you are looking for, one is the old version and the other is the new version they do the same thing. One operates the step cover and the other operates the outside step. As a side note the black ones are a lot simpler to work on that the aluminum colored ones.

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Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Step cover inop 05 U320

Reply #6 –
Here are the pics for the prior post from Mike
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Step cover inop 05 U320

Reply #7 –
Maiden Voyage... hope it's not too stressful for you.
These links should give you a good start on where to look for issues.

Make sure you use the safety stands before getting under the coach to check these things.
Hope you find something useful in these links.

Shutoff Valve to Air Step/Stair Cover

Step Air Pressure Regulator

Step Step/Cover Solenoid Part

Step cover stopped working 97 U295

step cover not working

Here's an explanantion of it's basic operation too.
How the inside step slide and outside step operate


Best of luck
1998 U295 36'
Build# 5358

SMILE!....it makes people wonder what you have been doing.

Re: Step cover inop 05 U320

Reply #8 –
Thanks to everyone for all your feedback on the step cover issue. Many good ideas to fix this issue.  I was able to get the solenoids off and on taking the solenoids off the aluminum manifold, I broke one of the Philips attachment screws. Fortunately it broke leaving 1/4 " left to get vice grips on, I was able to get the stud out. The step cover solenoid looks somewhat corroded. I have read that these solenoids can be taken apart and cleaned. WAY ABOVE MY ABILITY !! Any suggestions on anyone I could pay to do this? I'm hoping to be able to use the original solenoids and not install and plumb new ones! Maybe wishful thinking 🤔
Last but not least, any ideas where I might find a replacement Philips attachment screw to replace the broken one?
Thanks Harvey and Mary Ann
Harvey and Mary Ann
40' 94 Country Coach Affinity no slides
40' 00 Country Coach Affinity 1 slide
42' 09 American Eagle 3 slides
45' 18 Newmar Mountain Aire 3 slides
40' 05 Foretravel U320 2 slides current

Re: Step cover inop 05 U320

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Hmoran –
Last but not least, any ideas where I might find a replacement Philips attachment screw to replace the broken one?
Thanks Harvey and Mary Ann

Take the good one to any hardware store.  Or, post a picture if it is really unique.

If, as you say, the area has had some corrosion, replace both screws with stainless screws if possible.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Step cover inop 05 U320

Reply #10 –

Hmoran,

If the rebuild of the Solenoid Valve is out of your comfort zone the new ones are less that $20. For that price you can carry a couple for a spare.  Amazon.com: TAILONZ PNEUMATIC 1/4"NPT Solenoid Valve 12V/24V/110V Single...

Where are you located in CT? you may be close to another member that can help you out.

Mike

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Step cover inop 05 U320

Reply #11 –
Mike, we're located on the shoreline between New Haven and New London. I was hoping to have the original solenoids repaired/ refurbished, but like I said that might be wishful thinking.  Might have to install new ones.! Harvey
Harvey and Mary Ann
40' 94 Country Coach Affinity no slides
40' 00 Country Coach Affinity 1 slide
42' 09 American Eagle 3 slides
45' 18 Newmar Mountain Aire 3 slides
40' 05 Foretravel U320 2 slides current

Re: Step cover inop 05 U320

Reply #12 –
I believe the machine screws I'm looking for are called Micro Screws, Philips head .095 x 1" long very fine threads. They hold the solenoids to the manifold. Having trouble posting pictures!
Harvey and Mary Ann
40' 94 Country Coach Affinity no slides
40' 00 Country Coach Affinity 1 slide
42' 09 American Eagle 3 slides
45' 18 Newmar Mountain Aire 3 slides
40' 05 Foretravel U320 2 slides current

Re: Step cover inop 05 U320

Reply #13 –
You can get the original OEM for about 100.00 but I would follow Mikes advice-- it is too easy to nick a oring or not get a seal right then you will be doing it over.  "been there done that". As for screw size I would wager it a #4 x40  number 4 size with 40 threads per inch
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR
 

Re: Step cover inop 05 U320

Reply #14 –
Thanks Chris, I did go to an old hardware store in New Haven, been  there many years, we tried a 3-48 nut but would not go on much, tried a M2.5 metric nut and that's what it is! Thanks again Harvey
Harvey and Mary Ann
40' 94 Country Coach Affinity no slides
40' 00 Country Coach Affinity 1 slide
42' 09 American Eagle 3 slides
45' 18 Newmar Mountain Aire 3 slides
40' 05 Foretravel U320 2 slides current