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Topic: Step Repair or Renovation (Read 2916 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Step Repair or Renovation

Reply #25
Art,

Well done! WHen I had the level one on my U-270, James said we needed to stay with the same pattern and repaint since the gelcoat would never buff out so he couldn't change the scheme. will be interested in how you do it and how it turns out - I think my U-270 is still on James website - James did the headlights on that coach as well

Did the LED's at Xtreme and the roof a couple of years ago - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE both
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Step Repair or Renovation

Reply #26
Well, jumped into the bottom step this morning and need some advice!  There is a box tube that runs across the front of the opening and I am wondering if there is another in the back of the step?  The sheet metal is shot, so need to take it out and hope that I can find some starboard to replace the existing step, per Don.  Any help you can send my way, would be most appreciated!

Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Step Repair or Renovation

Reply #27
Maybe I'm missing something,  but if you're replacing both the wood and sheet metal you should know if there's a tubular framing piece in the back when you remove the wood and sheet metal that forms the first step.

I'm betting not.

I remember showcasing a Monaco Windsor at a local RV dealer here and the salesman told me it was the only coach with steel entry steps.

Re: Step Repair or Renovation

Reply #28
Maybe I'm missing something,  but if you're replacing both the wood and metal you should know if there's a tubular framing piece in the back when you remove them.

In betting not.

I don't want to remove all the steps, but thanks.  I know that there is one in front, just thought I would ask if there was one further back, so I did not have to remove anymore than need be. 
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Step Repair or Renovation

Reply #29
I just amended my previous post because I'm not sure what you mean.

Remove anymore what?

Re: Step Repair or Renovation

Reply #30
Recently completed (kind of ) my step project. I followed Dons advice to use  starboard, but didn't follow his thought of not using the built in nonskid. He is correct to say that it is harder to clean and attracts dirt like theres no tomorrow. What ever that means...
Still have some trim to do but it turned out good enough.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Step Repair or Renovation

Reply #31
Excellent project!
Before I opened the thread, the title made me think it would pertain the the hinged-lower-lip step.  Year before last, a man backed his pickup into the driveway and jammed his tire so hard against the step that it gashed a hole in his tire.  I was amazed, at the time, to see no damage to the step.  Little did I know then that the step would flex more and more, as months went by.  He had caused the power step enclosure box to tear where the air rams are screwed to the back of it.

In Florida, a man (much heavier than myself) nearly fell because the step gave way so much.  I HAD to get it fixed.  My local mechanic just finished fabricating angle iron supports to attach on the tubular steel uprights, at the side of the box, and go around the back corners of the box.  Now the air rams are secured to sturdy angle iron anchors, rather than merely the back of the fiberglass box.
Mogan David
1999 U295 36'

Re: Step Repair or Renovation

Reply #32
Joe,
Here are some more pictures which may not have been posted in other threads which may give you some more useful info on your project. Just to bring the status of my project up to date, I include one picture of the current state of the step. I finally got around to lining the sides of the step well with the same material I used for the cockpit flooring, but I plan to address the hard to clean aspects of the aggressive nonskid texture by capping the steps with some ¼" starboard that is not specifically designed with a non-skid texture. In my opinion, the standard finish (similar to the plastic cutting boards commonly found) will provide adequate grip while being much easier to clean. Previously, I just had the sides covered with some of the same Ozite carpet material that is used as headliner in the coaches of this vintage. I never thought the stuff would be there for 7 years! :o  I originally just planned on using it as a pattern
Don
Well, jumped into the bottom step this morning and need some advice!  There is a box tube that runs across the front of the opening and I am wondering if there is another in the back of the step?  The sheet metal is shot, so need to take it out and hope that I can find some starboard to replace the existing step, per Don.  Any help you can send my way, would be most appreciated!
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Step Repair or Renovation

Reply #33
Don starboard comes in black and a couple other shades of gray.  Might have to special order but might be a better option for not showing dirt. 
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Step Repair or Renovation

Reply #34
I have .250" Sandshade Textured SEABOARD StarBoard already and have used the stuff for a number of different projects. It is the nonskid texture that makes the other so hard to clean. My lady is very color sensitive, so black or grey is out. Even with my less discriminating color palate, I can see that the sand shade goes with our interior much better, but thanks for the suggestions! There is a place in San Diego where I can go purchase the stuff and they will cut to suit. It is also where I got my FRP when repairing my basement/bulkhead.
HDPE SEABOARD 0.250" x 54" x 96" Sandshade Textured HDPE SEABOARD Marine...
Don
Don starboard comes in black and a couple other shades of gray.  Might have to special order but might be a better option for not showing dirt.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Step Repair or Renovation

Reply #35
Thanks Don, yes that does help!  Bruce, aka bbeame called me as well today and gave me some tips on how he did his.  I spent the morning going from lumber yard to just about anything that would have something I could use to repair the step.  Nothing!  No marine plywood, etc., so will be making a trip to Provo tomorrow, about 80 miles to see what HD and Lowe's have to offer!  Will post as we go!  Not going to go to tearing out all the steps right now, so will put in either treated or marine grade 3/4 plywood and secure it to the next step.  Will see how that goes.
Thank you all for your tips/tricks on this project!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Step Repair or Renovation

Reply #36
All the aluminum rivets failed on our steel entry step and it was a mess from collecting water. After sandblasting, spray galvanizing and using frame black paint, I drilled and tapped for stainless button head cap screws. Box of 50 is less than $10 delivered. See attached photo.

After reading above posts and spending an hour with a carpet cleaner, I'm looking for a vinyl DIY replacement for the entry stairs. They do get dirty just looking at them. The wool cleans up like new but gets dirty in just a couple of minutes. Our wood is in good shape.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Step Repair or Renovation

Reply #37
When I bought my coach the previous owner had redone the floors and the steps. He did a beautiful job and the steps look like
corian. The fiber glass cover fell off my step and to fix it I had to take off the step and replacing it I used stainless hex bolts.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Step Repair or Renovation

Reply #38
Update:  made the trip to Provo and their local Home Depot for items needed to repair our step!  Got er done!  All is good!  Thanks everyone for your tips, etc. on this fix!  First step is solid as a rock now!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus