Entry steps & how they could be improved

[Diesel-Gypsy]

What are folks doing about the worst designed part of just about ALL trailers?
The door entry steps work, but on a scale of 1 to 10 I rate these steps at 5 at best.
Every time I reach for the door handle I have to do this awkward backwards lean.
Standing on that lower step and opening the door is just plain goofy!

So, what have the "bright fellaz" done to remedy this poor design.

I think it's time to don my thinking cap, and widen, and broaden that lower step.
Like a platform, so that there is room to actually swing open the door with-out having to do an awkward balancing act.

Thoughts....
Rick

[JudyGail]

We bought the Dean's Deck porch. Works like a charm.

[2 DA WDS]

Newmar 5ers had a 'porch' that would slide out and then the steps would fold down. Something like that OR a door handle at the bottom of the door on the outside like road tractors have. But their doors are hollow.

[Diesel-Gypsy]

Thanks for your responses.
I decided to build my own version of the Extenda-step idea.
Have a look here:


It works as I had hoped....
No more leaning backward holding onto th door while opening it!

Rick

[bstark]

Rick: A great idea! Even room to set the 24 on end while you open the door. Haaar!

Nicely built with height adjustment and undo 4 screws to pack it away. Well done. Patent it quick or the next thing you know you'll start seeing them in parks with "KWIKEE" labels on them.

[Diesel-Gypsy]

Thanks! I appreciate the compliments!

I have no intention of marketing my simple solution....just happy to have it.

Rick

[Hobo]

Originally Posted by Diesel-Gypsy

Thanks! I appreciate the compliments!

I have no intention of marketing my simple solution....just happy to have it.

Rick

Rick, I'm a bit confused. On the 12th you posted

Originally Posted by Diesel-Gypsy

I think it's time to don my thinking cap, and widen, and broaden that lower step.
Like a platform, so that there is room to actually swing open the door with-out having to do an awkward balancing act.

less then 24 hours you have a finished product. Plus your Web Shots say the pictures were taken a week before the original post.

It is a good idea just don't know why you presented it as you did.

[Diesel-Gypsy]

Hobo, not sure about the dates on my camera, as I never reset them...
It could show any date...no difference to me.
I only posted those shots an hour after I took them, so I have no idea why that date is off.....
I built it today....
That's my story, and I'm stickin to it...!

Rick

[Hobo]

You do good work,, and fast too. When are you going to start taking orders Bring a couple with you when you head South this Fall...

[Diesel-Gypsy]

Hobo....I'm not sure about bringing any of these extenda-steps anywhere, just not interested in making any more of them.....although if a good friend asked me I might give in.
It took me 4 hours to build it.
I started my lay-out on Tuesday night, cut some pieces then as well.
Wednesday morning I finished the leg assemblys and mig-ed it all together.
I gave it a quick coat of black lacquer, dry in 1/2 hour.
Total time 4 hours.

I think there is a three hour time difference between where I am, and the sites location, so as I posted my pics at a little after 2:00pm here, it shows-up as a little after 11:00am on the site.

I'm not sure about your original comments about when the pics were taken and posted on my Web-Shots.
When I look there, it clearly shows the pics being posted on June 13th. not a week before as you say...
It also says the pics were taken (camera) on January 05, 2003.
As I said I never reset the date on my camera.

So, like I said, it took 4 hours to build, and yes around 24 hours passed between me asking what others were doing about the step problem, and me finishing-up what I thought was a clever solution.

I think many guys here are capable of 4 hours of work in a 24 hour period......What do you think....?

Rick

[Hobo]

Originally Posted by Diesel-Gypsy

Hobo....I'm not sure about bringing any of these extenda-steps anywhere, just not interested in making any more of them.....although if a good friend asked me I might give in.
It took me 4 hours to build it.

I think many guys here are capable of 4 hours of work in a 24 hour period......What do you think....?

Rick

We maybe capable of 4Hr work but, I try not too.
I mis-read the Web Shot dates, I guess that is what added to my already confused mind.

Bottom line, it a very good, professional looking job. If my DW were to see it I'm sure she would be putting me to work.

Rick H

[WildJohn]

although I see the obvious advantages to your design, (i wuld like to see a pic with it closed thugh) My neighbor used a technique that I liked so well I copied it on my next day off... and since then My DW and I have not had the knee pain we have experienced for the last year of full timing.. didn't make the relationship until the pain was gone suddenly..
I can take some pics and post them but here is the short story.. Went to LOWES and bought two five step risers/stringers, and some 5/4 decking material, a 24" square piece of 3/4" exterior plywood, and a box of deck screws... I had them cut the decking into 2' lengths. I screwed the decking on the vertical portion of the risers first and then screwed on the tread surfaces.. leaned them up against the extended original steps and adjusted them until the top step of my new staricase was even with the top step of the origiinal and screwed the plywood to the tread. then I took two of the pieces of decking and stood then on edge perpindicular to the length of the RV and slid them on top of the second step and screwed them to the riser. The height was a little off so I put a pallot on the ground and screwed the bottom of the risers to it and covered it with steping stones, it makes a little porch at the bottom and the 2'x2' plywood on the top makes a pretty neat little platform too.. With a little paint it will look pretty good and feels great. Now I need to get home and get a length of wrought iron railing I know I have lying around. total cost less than fifty dollars and less than an hour to assemble...
When we move I can take the four toenail screws out at the bottom and slide it off the foldable steps and it will go through the door to ride just inside I hope.. haven't tried but it measures out ok..
The reason for the knee pain became obvious once I started to measure.. check out the carpenter's standard rise for stairs and measure ours... one and a half times standard is enough to kill your knees.
happy camping
John

[Diesel-Gypsy]

John, I did not build my "Extenda-Step" as a permanent addition.
My step takes 1 minute to install, and is only put in place once I set-up the trailer.

So there is no need for me to take a pic of it in the closed position, there is no such positon.
When travelling it breaks down basically flat, so storage is easy.

Your idea is a good one for sure. If I understand your solution you have a platform at the top step position as well as at the bottom step....is that correct?
I guess a picture is worth 1000 words!

Rick

[OB]

Gee Rick; I just checked and Sue and I stand flat footed and easily reach the key hole. (hehehe)

[Diesel-Gypsy]

..laugh it up big fella...!
I know, you have no such problems, but Not EVERYONE is 6 foot 8

At least my shower is not as cramped as yours.....

Rick

[WildJohn]

Diesel-Gypsy,
You are right. there are two platforms, one pallot sized and one small one at the top. It is a little narrow but usable since it will fit through the door easily.

I thought maybe your fine addition was capable of covering the ugly steps. I always thought that is an eye sore on our good looking RVs... they should be able to make a cover for them that also doubles as a platform like yours.. I am too far from my home shop to do much experimenting but maybe some day. Maybe a cover that folds down to allow the steps to fold out.
Happy camping,
John

[Diesel-Gypsy]

John, just where are you located these days?
Any chance you could make it north to our mini-rally?

Rick

[WildJohn]

We are in Central Illinois. until October then on to warmer climates.

[2 DA WDS]

Originally Posted by WildJohn

We are in Central Illinois. until October then on to warmer climates.

I tried to send you a couple of PMs but I dont think they made it.

'Where at in central Illinois? We are about 15 miles north of Springfield.'

[ebrowne826]

Go to sunriservproducts.com and check out
their porch. I've got one and it works great.
I even put a gate on it for our dog. Picked it
up at Home Depot. It takes about 20 to 30 min's
to assemble and I carry it in a duffle bag.