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Topic: Fiberglass Cover on Exterior Step (Read 441 times) previous topic - next topic

Fiberglass Cover on Exterior Step

The fiberglass panel which covers the exterior fold-down entry step just fell off!  Thankfully it happened while my coach was parked in a campground.  When I returned from a shopping trip, the fiberglass piece was just lying on the ground beneath the step.  As it turns out, that panel is only glued in place.  There are no mechanical fasteners holding it. 

I am currently on the road in Alaska so I will wait until I get home in a month or so to reattach the panel.  The current adhesive lasted 16 years but I will probably use 3M 5200 to secure it.  I suspect that the 5200 will last many more years than I will be driving. 

I guess the lesson here is to periodically check the security of this decorative panel. 
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
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Re: Fiberglass Cover on Exterior Step

Reply #1 –
They usually fail when the steel rusts to the point where it expands enough to push the cover off. It would be a good idea to clean up the steel part of the step and drill a couple of drain holes in the low point of the fiberglass cover when the step is down (which it is all the time the coach is parked unless an override has been installed).
Don
Quote from: Jan & Richard –
The fiberglass panel which covers the exterior fold-down entry step just fell off!  Thankfully it happened while my coach was parked in a campground.  When I returned from a shopping trip, the fiberglass piece was just lying on the ground beneath the step.  As it turns out, that panel is only glued in place.  There are no mechanical fasteners holding it. 

I am currently on the road in Alaska so I will wait until I get home in a month or so to reattach the panel.  The current adhesive lasted 16 years but I will probably use 3M 5200 to secure it.  I suspect that the 5200 will last many more years than I will be driving. 

I guess the lesson here is to periodically check the security of this decorative panel. 

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: Fiberglass Cover on Exterior Step

Reply #2 –
I just looked at our step cover and it has 7 rivets showing, with 2 on each side and 3 on the outside 'top' surface.  Don't know how it came from the factory as we had our step rebuilt by Rance when we painted a few years ago.

Re: Fiberglass Cover on Exterior Step

Reply #3 –
Don is correct on the rust, so once you have cleaned it up back to nice shiny metel looking and given it a good coat ot POR15 or such then paint you not only put some holes in the lower part of cover but bdrill some thru the angle frame of it too. I have just siliconed mine on then put a screw thru to hold it in place (1 each end) and then every few years you can easily remove it to clean etc.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Fiberglass Cover on Exterior Step

Reply #4 –
FWIW,
I had to replace my front step as already noted (they collect water and with time rust out).  I took my step out went to a local metal fab shop and after duplication, replaced it with Galvanized steel.  Then I painted it with some truck bed liner type paint (I sprinkled sand on the wet paint to make it non slip and painted again to cover the grit with color).  My step had pop rivets also holding it.  Must have been a repair by PO (if as noted glued at factory).  I then refastened the fiberglass cover with SS fasteners.  This happened a couple of years ago and so far so good!  I also drilled holes in fiberglass to allow water to drain in a not obvious position to not become unsightly. 
Best of travels!
Best of Travels

Re: Fiberglass Cover on Exterior Step

Reply #5 –
Our step cover was pop-riveted on and I've drilled a couple of holes to let the water out. Sadly the first ten years didn't have those holes so I've got to take it apart and deal with the rust. Gotta wait to see what the shop and insurance does with it after the semi ran over it. It's always something... ::)
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk