Better entry step

Topic: Better entry step (Read 864 times) previous topic - next topic

Better entry step

February 26, 2015, 12:13:01 pm

Are there better entry steps available for a 02 U320 ?
The one that the coach came with makes for a big first step

Re: Better entry step

Reply #1 – February 26, 2015, 12:28:55 pm

Many of us have gotten the Kwikee series 42 step upgrade from either FOT or from Xtreme (we chose the latter). I think it is the best option for the U series coaches. There are a number of threads on the pros and cons of this design, but all in all, we consider it one of the very best upgrades we have done.
Edit: to correct spelling of product name, thanks Michelle!
Don

Re: Better entry step

Reply #2 – February 26, 2015, 12:30:11 pm

I got new steps from Xtreme, a safety concern, but on the 01 it was a single folding down step. You may have better already? The one we got is two slide out steps. I hear of the CC design but not certain that correct. Call James Stallings if interested

I can send photo if want

mike

Re: Better entry step

Reply #3 – February 26, 2015, 12:33:59 pm

another advantage forgot to mention.....it not air operated with the design we got. Stopped lots of air leaks when moved to it.

Minor compared to safety, but we had spent several times on the air cylinders of the single fold down step

Not recall if Brad Metzger or Jeff S told me to change for safety, but was great advice. Had a friend miss the single step due to his toe was leading going out the door, his toe was off the step when going out frontward on the step, fell, broke leg.

mike

Re: Better entry step

Reply #4 – February 26, 2015, 12:42:16 pm

We also have the Kwikee series 42 step upgrade, ours is also from Xtreme.

One caveat on this step, the structure hangs a little lower than the OEM step, so you do need to watch front clearance ground clearance a little more.

The safety aspect is much improved and very appreciated since one of our dogs needs to be carried up and down the steps.

Re: Better entry step

Reply #5 – February 26, 2015, 01:02:52 pm

We still have the original drop down, air operated step on our 2001 U270. We have used it for 7 years, carried lots of stuff in and out, did a little rust repair, etc. It still works and I guess I'm old school ( and getting older by the moment), but if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

This does not mean that as it gets harder for us to climb the steps that we might not change it, it means that it is not a priority for us now.

Do the changes that make you happy and safe, then enjoy your coach. We never know when we won't be able to do it anymore.

Re: Better entry step

Reply #6 – February 26, 2015, 03:43:03 pm

Not to hijack.. has anyone modified the steps to the u280, 300?

Re: Better entry step

Reply #7 – February 26, 2015, 04:54:08 pm

Does the Kwikee series 42 step have a safety feature--it it hits an obstacle, does it stop extending and retract?

Rich

Re: Better entry step

Reply #8 – February 26, 2015, 05:09:37 pm

Good question, seems someone before saud it would do that but i tried with ours and did not stop; maybe i did not provide enough pressure? Would hurt your shin.

Re: Better entry step

Reply #9 – February 26, 2015, 05:14:12 pm

It stops extending, but doesn't auto retract. It will retract when you flip the switch to override the extension. I don't know if it just overloads the motor and trips something, but if it does, it must auto reset quickly. I need to do what Steve did and wire up another switch so that the step will stay retracted when you open the door... Steve, how about about it? How did you wire that switch to keep the steps in?

Don

Edit: Ideally, it would be optimal to wire in a sensor strip along the bottom edge to auto retract the steps and keep it retracted until a manual reset. It would probably require some sort of logic... perhaps a worthy Arduino project

Quote from: Rich Bowman – February 26, 2015, 04:54:08 pm

Does the Kwikee series 42 step have a safety feature--it it hits an obstacle, does it stop extending and retract?

Rich

Re: Better entry step

Reply #10 – February 26, 2015, 05:35:31 pm

Quote from: acousticart – February 26, 2015, 12:28:55 pm

Many of us have gotten the Kwikee series 42 step upgrade from either FOT or from Xtreme (we chose the latter). I think it is the best option for the U series coaches. There are a number of threads on the pros and cons of this design, but all in all, we consider it one of the very best upgrades we have done.
Edit: to correct spelling of product name, thanks Michelle!
Don

Do you have a web site for Extreme ? I had seen a company site a while ago that made a very nice 2 step with the foretravel logo on it , But can't remember where.
Must be getting old.

Re: Better entry step

Reply #11 – February 26, 2015, 05:43:07 pm

Quote from: redwing – February 26, 2015, 05:35:31 pm

Do you have a web site for Extreme ?

Do you mean Xtreme Paint and Graphics in Nac (where we had our step conversion done)?

Xtreme Paint & Graphics

Re: Better entry step

Reply #12 – February 26, 2015, 05:51:53 pm

Quote from: Michelle – February 26, 2015, 05:43:07 pm

Do you mean Xtreme Paint and Graphics in Nac (where we had our step conversion done)?

Xtreme Paint & Graphics

That Is It ,Thank you

Re: Better entry step

Reply #13 – February 26, 2015, 08:43:19 pm

Quote from: fouroureye – February 26, 2015, 03:43:03 pm

Not to hijack.. has anyone modified the steps to the u280, 300?

That's my question, too. I think it was asked earlier but not answered.

Re: Better entry step

Reply #14 – February 27, 2015, 09:56:16 am

Quote

has anyone modified the steps to the u280, 300?

Last time we were in the great state of Texas I asked Extreme this question. He told me that he did not think the mid entry had the necessary structure to install the new step. He asked me to bring our rig by so he could examine it and give me a definnitive answer but I never made it back over there. The answer then is... maybe.
jor

Re: Better entry step

Reply #15 – February 27, 2015, 09:57:17 am

David, im gonna ask in nac when I go..

Re: Better entry step

Reply #16 – February 27, 2015, 01:03:45 pm

Quote from: fouroureye – February 26, 2015, 03:43:03 pm

Not to hijack.. has anyone modified the steps to the u280, 300?

Some discussion on this subject here:

adding exterior entry steps 1992 grandvilla

Re: Better entry step

Reply #17 – February 27, 2015, 02:05:44 pm

Thanks Chuck, im looking to replace and increase the step size away from the coach.. seems like it could be done.. after all it already has a hinge support and ancored to the air piston.

Looks like most have added to the bottom, like your example. I want to use the same hole and push out not flip down. U240 is a bit different than the 280, 300

Re: Better entry step

Reply #18 – February 27, 2015, 04:27:40 pm

Quote from: Rich Bowman – February 26, 2015, 04:54:08 pm

Does the Kwikee series 42 step have a safety feature--it it hits an obstacle, does it stop extending and retract?

Rich

Ours does just like Don's - stops but does not retract. I just stopped it with my shin (foot prepared to slide...), so it will stop without damaging sensitive organic elements... Probably uses current sensing on the motor.

Re: Better entry step

Reply #19 – February 27, 2015, 05:43:22 pm

Thanks for the input.

Rich

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