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New drawer under steps

June 24, 2011, 09:50:32 pm

I just finished putting a drawer under the 2nd step with the step as the lid.  I got the idea while at Xtreme P & G in may form Dave and Nancy Able.  Dave showed his mod to us and my wife decided that would be just a great mod to have.  I have now learned 1st hand just how strong these FT's are built.  It took 2 days just to remove the old steps and prepare the area for renovation.  Screws, staples, and glue everywhere, usually from the back side of the steps.  I'm glad it's  finished but I need a rest before any new jobs.  Norm   

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Re: New drawer under steps

Reply #1 – June 24, 2011, 10:04:35 pm

Howdy Norm, 
  Glad it worked out for you..It makes a great storage area..I agree with you on the strength of the steps.  I basically had to destroy the old ones, before re-building the second step.

Hope all is well, talk to ya later, Dave Abel

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Reply #2 – June 25, 2011, 12:42:43 pm

We need pics! Please 

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Reply #3 – June 25, 2011, 07:26:46 pm

Had to remove the entire step assembly from my coach in order to straighten the steel framework around steps and door, damaged in an offroad excursion.  Those steps are glued, screwed and tattooed which is good when you consider they are what braces and provides rigidity to the entire steel step/entry subassembly.  When steps are removed you can easily move the steel framework with hand pressure.  I'd consider this before doing any extensive mods that would compromise step rigidity.

Chuck

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Reply #4 – June 25, 2011, 09:25:22 pm

Chuck:  I have a mid-entry coach and only completely removed the 2nd tread and the riser.  Then rebuilt a completely new box to replace it.  Beneath the step was storage space accessable from the outside bay, so I just exchanged bay storage inside storage.  Easier so get fuel gloves and dog leaches.  Norm

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Reply #5 – June 25, 2011, 09:58:12 pm

Norm, did I read correctly that you have a mid entry U295? I also have a mid entry coach but it is a Grand Villa. I have three interior steps. Mine has a compressor under the first step.  How many steps do you have from the first inside step to the top? How does that compare to your setup?

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Reply #6 – June 26, 2011, 10:23:14 am

Kent;  Yes it is a mid-entry. I understand only @ 9 were built that year.  My entry step at door level has actuators under it for the outside flap-down door, then the step I modified, then a third step, then the top of the stairs with the sliding step cover under it.  I have been your coach when the previous owners had it and I believe it is quite similar.

Kenhat; I will post pics as soon as I figure out how to do that.  In the meantime, just drive out to Buena Vista and look it over sometime. We are about 119 miles away,  Norm     

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Reply #7 – June 26, 2011, 12:09:50 pm

Norm,

Ah, mid entry.  Forget what I said then.    Nice modification.  I'm curious, have you had much of a chance to compare your mid entry coach with front entry ones?  I've wondered what a mid entry would be like.  Seems to have some advantages from a livability standpoint. 

Chuck

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Reply #8 – June 26, 2011, 01:00:23 pm

Chuck:  From my point of view, the  mid-entry works well because where I store it at my home, there is a grove of pinion trees that I park it behind, with a path through the trees to the door.  If we had a front entry, it would need to be parked much further back and we couldn't see it as well from the K window.  Other than that, I think it wouldn't matter that much as long as it was a FT.  Norm

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Reply #9 – June 26, 2011, 05:03:21 pm

We have a mid entry, by choice.  Have had use of both front and mid entry coaches.  We like the mid for several reasons.
1.  No need to disturb the nest area of the passenger's area, where we seem to have a computer, purse, slippers, and more at every stop.  The area in many front entry coaches has a drop or slide floor that must retract or move.
2.  Loading and unloading the main things we handle, clothes, bedding, and food all get in and out of the coach with less distance traveled inside.
3.  In the coaches we have used, the front door can be noisy in some driving conditions.
4.  In poor weather or cold weather, our mid entry keeps the living and seating area drier and carpet cleaner with the use of a shoe box at the top of the steps in the galley under the table.
5.  Our main awning shades and protects our entry, and we are close to many picnic and seating areas set ups at the mid point of the coach.

Yes, we loose the full pass thru due to the stairs in one bay, but have learned to deal with that small inconvenience, with a slide system on the other side, and only store spares or off season things in the long dead end bay.

To each his own, we are very happy we found a mid door coach.

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Reply #10 – June 26, 2011, 07:00:34 pm

Dave:  I guess I haven't thought about it that much but you are correct that it is much easier to load and unload all our winter gear when we prepare for 5-6 months in Texas each fall.  It is also possibly slightly safer due to quicker evacuation in the night if an emergancy occurs.  I will say a lot of people do a double take when they see the mid-entry bus style as it is a rare bird.  This is our 3rd coach, the other two being the front entry style + sob. so the thing i'm happiest about is the Foretravel badge  Norm

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Reply #11 – July 19, 2011, 09:39:26 pm

Doh! Just saw your reply for my request for pics. We plan to be in Buena Vista later this summer. I've give a shout when we are headed that way. Would love to meet up and talk Foretravel!

See ya
ken

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Reply #12 – July 19, 2011, 10:56:34 pm

That sounds like a good mod. Can't wait for the pictures. We also have a mid entry and I like the loading and unloading aspect of it.

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