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Topic: 1st entry stair (Read 917 times) previous topic - next topic

1st entry stair

Anyone have pictures of replacing the bottom stair step. Mine is getting soft. I'm not talking about the flip down step, but ihe first on the three steps.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: 1st entry stair

Reply #1 –
Bruce,

Don did a nice write up on his repair I think this is what you are looking for.
Step Repair or Renovation

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: 1st entry stair

Reply #2 –
Here are a couple of pics when stairs were updated. No issues just re built them and recovered.  Flip-down step has totally been replaced.
John
John and Stacey Smith
Motorcade NO: 11973
1997 U295 CSGI 40'..Build No. 5036     
920 Watts on the roof..CAT Power w/fuel Inj. Programmer
2021 GMC Sierra AT4 1500
EX..2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Ex 1990 U280 RSAI 36'..Build No. 3638

Re: 1st entry stair

Reply #3 –
John,
I think the rotten first step issue didn't start until Foretravel decided on the infamous "wet step" design, which I believe started in 99'. The second picture of your entry way shows the aluminum ridge across the bottom. The screen door rubber surround seals against that ridge which is missing in our 99' U270. Other than the sealing action of the screen door rubber surround being compressed by the entry door, that ridge forms a dam across the opening which prevents water from entering from the entry  resulting in soaked plywood beneath the vinyl covering. Well, that is my theory anyway... I took the liberty of using your picture and cropping and annotating it to illustrate what I am talking about. I believe that Foretravel did this because they felt customers wanted a flat entry with no ridge to step over or on when walking in or out of the coach. I used Starboard marine lumber, which is a polyethylene (think cutting board material) which is impervious to water. I have a plan to deal with the water intrusion which I will detail when I get around to doing it. In the mean time, I am comforted to know that there is nothing there to absorb water any more.
Don
Quote from: John  and Stacey –
Here are a couple of pics when stairs were updated. No issues just re built them and recovered.  Flip-down step has totally been replaced.
John
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: 1st entry stair

Reply #4 –
Don, my 99 has the flat step. It is s "wet step" that has been wet too many times. How thick was the material you used for the step?
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: 1st entry stair

Reply #5 –
as I recall the plywood was just under 3/4" so they used the 3/4" on mine

Seafoam King Starboard Plastic Sheets Cut To Size

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start - home of SureStart soft starters TCER Direct - home of Generac Approved Aluminum and Copper TCER Composite cable generator-gas-prod - home of X-Riser Gas Risers for PE installation Call me at 630 240-9139
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Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
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Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: 1st entry stair

Reply #6 –
Bruce,
The original plywood was nominally ¾" (really 23/32" or what passes for ¾" in recent times). I used ¾" Starboard. One issue you will run into which you may or may not consider a problem, is that the aluminum trim that surrounds the door opening is an eighth of an inch thick. As built, the aluminum trim sat proud of the plywood subfloor and they just covered the whole thing with the vinyl. I felt that the lip would result in more water staying around. I used two pieces of Starboard to get around that issue. One narrow strip which was as wide as the aluminum trim and a wider one which extended up to where I cut out the damaged plywood. I offset the two pieces by ⅛" so that the surface was totally flush when the aluminum trim was installed. I could have done it with one piece by milling a rabbet ⅛" deep the width of the aluminum trim. I didn't have the right equipment for that at the time. I attached the narrow strip to the larger piece with four countersunk 3" No. 10 screws. Since this area is at the front of the entry way and will bear a considerable dynamic load, it is supported from underneath by an inch and half by ⅛" angle aluminum attached to the 1.5" square tubing. The step repair is very solid with no flex at all. I also insulated the back of the step box with rigid polyurethane foam board and wrapped the entire area with sheet aluminum.
Don
Quote from: bbeane –
Don, my 99 has the flat step. It is s "wet step" that has been wet too many times. How thick was the material you used for the step?
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: 1st entry stair

Reply #7 –
Our step is very solid so no issues there. I put a "wiper strip"across the I side part of the screen door so it contacts the top of step and on opening wipes any moisture off it. I can say we have never had any water on it once we open it. I also found that the perimeter of door frame including the top amber light should be caulked properly as this was allowing water to mitigate down to step area.
I will take a picture soon and repost it.
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: 1st entry stair

Reply #9 –
I don't think PVC would have the necessary structural integrity to be used where it will be bearing weight. The Starboard marine lumber is very tough. I used Azek trim on my house when I remodeled, and so am fairly familiar with its characteristics. Although you attach it with screws, it doesn't have great screw holding properties if you were to attach something to it. It just isn't very dense material, unlike the polyethylene based Starboard. Also, though it may not be relevant in this application, PVC is quite susceptible to solvents, whereas you can use acetone to clean up the Starboard with virtually no effect on it. Starboard can be used in places where it is exposed to UV if you pay attention to the listed features. It is often used to build exterior cabinets on exposed decks. That said, the Azek may work for this application as long as it is supported from underneath and appropriately braced and covered with some kind of wear layer. It is much easier to glue to itself than Starboard.
Don
Quote from: Travelin' Man –
What about using Azek instead of Seafoam?
It's readily available and comes in a lot of different sizes and thicknesses;

Sheets PVC Trim | Exterior Cellular PVC Trim | AZEK
Trimboard PVC Trim | Exterior Cellular PVC Trim | AZEK
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: 1st entry stair

Reply #10 –
Thanks Don 👍
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country