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Topic: inside air stairwell slide repair (Read 517 times) previous topic - next topic

inside air stairwell slide repair

The slide to cover the steps when traveling has never worked since I bought this last October. Is it really needed? The air valves are still under the coach for it but the rams are gone. I can manually pull it out when needed. Just wondering
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: inside air stairwell slide repair

Reply #1 –
Quote from: dans96u295ft –
Is it really needed?
I'd say that is up to your copilot...what is their opinion?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: inside air stairwell slide repair

Reply #2 –
Quote from: dans96u295ft –
The slide to cover the steps when traveling has never worked since I bought this last October. Is it really needed? The air valves are still under the coach for it but the rams are gone. I can manually pull it out when needed. Just wondering

Preference.. We put it out when we have the Grand baby and my wife uses it to step on when traveling.. Some close it while parked to keep the cold out.. So we use it every trip..

Re: inside air stairwell slide repair

Reply #3 –
DW says it shuts some of the road noise off, and with small dogs loose it is closed when traveling.
Do you have a way to see if the PO still has the rams?
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: inside air stairwell slide repair

Reply #4 –
If the ram is gone (unlike the OEM drop down step which has two, there is only one ram on the step cover...), you should be able to slide it out manually by hand unless someone has locked it down somehow.
Don
Quote from: dans96u295ft –
The slide to cover the steps when traveling has never worked since I bought this last October. Is it really needed? The air valves are still under the coach for it but the rams are gone. I can manually pull it out when needed. Just wondering
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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: inside air stairwell slide repair

Reply #5 –
Seeing as this topic has come up, my brothers Monaco uses an electric actuator for the step cover and I like that idea. Saddlesore put actuators on his bed, so I am sure something could be done to put one on your missing ram.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: inside air stairwell slide repair

Reply #6 –
Chuck, I think the linear slide are the way to go,  you can get just about any length with about any amount of force you want.
There are several brands available— google linear slides. They come with gear drive and belt drive
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: inside air stairwell slide repair

Reply #7 –
It is now on the long list of upgrades.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: inside air stairwell slide repair

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Chris m lang –
Chuck, I think the linear slide are the way to go,  you can get just about any length with about any amount of force you want.
There are several brands available— google linear slides. They come with gear drive and belt drive
Chris
Its on our list of upgrades along with the flip up step. Less air leaks to worry about too.
John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: inside air stairwell slide repair

Reply #9 –
Yes, I'd do whatever you can to use something other than air.  That thing scares everyone when it's deployed.  So I rarely pull it out.  After re-insulating under the steps (with the same foam used to re-do the generator compartment,) it was eerily quiet in the coach.  The old stuff was barely hanging on, and apparently, not doing much for sound control.  Never thought about closing that to keep the cold out or more noise out, but will have to try it.
Jennifer
2003 36' U295 (# 6070)
Thousand Oaks, CA