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Topic: Be careful what you wish for (Read 981 times) previous topic - next topic

Be careful what you wish for

One of the minor complaints I've had about our coach is that the step stays out all the time, closing only when the engine is running and the door is closed. That, of course, means that the step is gradually decaying and will soon need major attention.

Today we went down to Springfield to get the new tires. We were also going to do some other minor shopping (all at places where I could easily get a 40' coach in and out). This, of course, would mean several trips in and out of the coach. Once the step retracted here at the house, though, it suddenly seemed to remember my complaints. It did open a couple of times, once after a vigorous slamming of the door, and once just after Jo Ann had climbed in without it. Since then, though, it has stubbornly refused to open up. We've been home for three hours now, and the step is still closed. I don't mind, as I won't have any need (or time) to get into the coach for the next several days. Eventually, though, I'd like it to open and close properly. Is there a hidden release switch somewhere?

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #1 –
David, Do not forget you purchased a 20 yr old coach, things happen, you get it repaired and move on down the road and forget it.
My take on things.
Cheers,

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #2 –
Check the connection for the sensor at the door.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #3 –
Thanks, Peter. Yes, Dave, we know the coach is 20 years old and there will be little things. It would have been nice, though, if the step had kept itself retracted when we were having rain, show, and ice, and politely opened today when it was 100 outside. Oh well, the weather guessers think it will cool off one of these days, and then I'll go play with it a bit more. In the meantime we get a bit of extra exercise.

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #4 –
If I remember correctly, I had to disassemble the pneumatic valve.  Cleaned it and reassembled with some lube.  It's located under the steps and is a 5 way spool style valve.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #5 –
When I put my coach in storage I drain the air from the wet tank.I can then close the step manually.Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #6 –
Our step has never failed. Of course, it is organically operated..(open door, lift out step. When going to move, open door, pick up step, put inside, close door)
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #8 –
David, Check behind the step.  There should be an air regulator that controls the air to the cylinders.  Check for air at the regulator and then look for restrictions, loose lines, dirt in the regulator , sticking cylinders etc.  Also check that the magnetic sensor at the door jam is in place, use another magnet to see if that activates the air cylinder. Normally step stays extended until engine is started and air builds in system, step then closes.
Gary B

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #9 –
I only recently learned that the reason my step closes (with the engine on) was due to the magnet on my screen door (that I was originally told was part of a burglar alarm).  Maybe something simple like that there got knocked around?  Not sure it this applies to your model.  I had always thought it was a switch in the door...but nope, just that little magnet on the screen telling the coach that the door is open and it should lower the step.
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #10 –
Where might the magnetic sensor be located? The screen door latches to the main door. When we want only the screen door closed (main door open) it latches to the door frame with a spring-loaded roller. No magnets that I can find.

The rear axle hubs were leaking (gasket-in-a-tube used instead of a real gasket), so I went down to Springfield to the Kenworth place. They fixed the hubs. The step hasn't opened since we got home last week from getting the tires. I had to mow where the coach normally sits, so I left it in the driveway. While mowing I noticed that the step is out! After supper we'll put the coach where it belongs, and we'll see if the step behaves normally. At least it is somewhat cooler now, so I won't bake working on the coach.

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #11 –
David, The magnetic sensor should be on the door jamb at the hinge side, a foot or sop from the bottom of the door.  It is about 3/4 inch wide and 2 inches high, mine is beige plastic.
From what you are describing I would look hard at the air cylinders and the regulator.
Gary B

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #12 –
Gary's description applies to our 1997 U295 as well. Also check the electrical connections to the control valve. Our control valve is under the coach near the step. There are regulators and control valves for the step and the step well cover on our coach.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #13 –
David, on our 93 there is a pin/button on the hinge side of the door frame. The pin/button in just like the switches to turn off the dome lights on our old cars. No fancy magnetic switches. My guess is that your rams are dirty or corroded and just need a good cleaning or polishing or there might be a slight leak the air line reducing the air pressure power to make the step operate properly.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #14 –
After I finished mowing tonight I looked at the step. The repair cost right now is $0.00 because there is a bit of corrosion that was causing the step to bind. I suspect that the high temperatures last week made the metal expand just enough that it wouldn't come down. It is 20 degrees cooler now, and the step is working just fine. Tomorrow morning I'll spend a bit of time cleaning it up, but eventually a proper repair will be needed. Looks like we will be starting our list in preparation for a trip to Nac this fall or winter.

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #15 –
The folk at Xtreme P&G took our step apart, cleaned up the metal part, painted the metal part with a black material kind of like bed liner, and put it back together. The metal part was rusted, but still had enough structural integrity to be sturdy. They sealed paths that would allow moisture into the step. They also drilled a couple of holes in the fiberglass to allow moisture to escape in case any does invade the area between the metal and the fiberglass.

I don't know what it cost for that specific bit of work. It's like specifying electrical outlets in new construction. If you look at the price of each outlet, you choke and would only have one outlet per room. If you can pay the aggregate cost, you end up with a nice product.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Be careful what you wish for

Reply #16 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
Our step has never failed. Of course, it is organically operated..(open door, lift out step. When going to move, open door, pick up step, put inside, close door)

Ours failed once... we just bought a new, sturdier, one. It's also movable around the coach. Makes it easier to step up onto the front bumper, too. :P

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."