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07-30-2013, 05:05 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 199
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Entry Steps
Entry steps, they sound like the worst screeching in the world when you enter or exit the RV. They have been tightened and adjusted and look at by a RV tech. The consensus is “that’s how it is”. There has to be a better way. Any ideas out there?
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Recon4
Retired USMC
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07-30-2013, 05:21 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulltime, USA
Posts: 16,706
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If you are setting the switch so they extend and retract with each door cycle, they may be wearing out mechanically.
I set mine to stay out while set-up and lube them about every 2 months.
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07-30-2013, 07:11 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 199
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CampDaven
If you are setting the switch so they extend and retract with each door cycle, they may be wearing out mechanically.
I set mine to stay out while set-up and lube them about every 2 months.
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Yes, I extend them out to reduce the wear and tear on the steps. I'm thinking maybe a 5" support brace under the steps to take some of the pressure or weight off of the steps... thanks 4 the input.
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Recon4
Retired USMC
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07-31-2013, 10:00 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 274
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Recon
Be careful you don't lube some brands of these steps. Mine do not require any lubrication, but they do need cleaning thoroughly from time to time.
Once I had similar problems, until I disassembled the steps and cleaned a lot of gunk from underneath and around moving parts.
Can't remember who it was, but some other member on this forum actually built a dirt guard in front of the steps as they get a lot of crap thrown up from other vehicles when you are driving down the road.
Another thing that happened is that my wife would never wait until the steps were fully extended before she exited the MH. Over time this bent the frame slightly and I had to straighten it. It did help with the squeaking.
Hope this may be of some help
Guy
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2006 HR Endeavor PDQ
formerly 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4WD
now 2007 Honda CR-V
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07-31-2013, 01:30 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 248
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My steps seem to have a side that is not solidly mounted any longer. It flexes when you step on it. The bolts are tight, however the entire frame seems a bit flexy. I am going to have to remove the whole thing to take a look some day. I assume they are just carriage bolted to a steel frame above.
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08-01-2013, 08:18 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Boise Valley (SW Idaho)
Posts: 2,009
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I would NEVER put anything under the extended entry steps! Many of our coaches have leveling systems that continuously monitor the level of the coach, and tweak the jacks or air bags to keep them on an even keel. The height of the coach at the front right corner could change, and the steps would offer very little resistance!
I absolutely include in this discussion the danger of parking in a space where there is high ground, or a patio or curb under the extended steps. Lowering the suspension to level or re-level could prove very expensive.
I had a "step incident" once, and it wasn't pretty.
If you do block under your entry steps, just be absolutely sure there is no way that the coach can move, up or down, while they are blocked.
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08-03-2013, 01:36 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,920
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Recon4
Yes, I extend them out to reduce the wear and tear on the steps. I'm thinking maybe a 5" support brace under the steps to take some of the pressure or weight off of the steps... thanks 4 the input.
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This can be a very bad idea. If you use air leveling, once you have the step out and supported the coach will periodically re-level, and it can do it by dropping the coach. This will bend your step. Ask me how I know - I can tell you that a Kwikee Step model 42 weighs in at close to a hundred pounds.
If you have hydraulic leveling, you can forget to remove it before you drop the coach.
If you have a very good "break down and go" check list and you follow it rigorously you can probably get away with it. If you always dump the airbags and level from the dumped position you can avoid the problem as well.
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Paul
2006 Patriot Thunder C13 Allison 4000
2010 Ford Flex Ecoboost AWD
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08-03-2013, 07:42 PM
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#8
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"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 23,909
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Mine were getting old and loose and when I really looked at them, there is a tube at the very top of the frame, hidden underneath the body, front and rear that gets loose. You need an allen wrench to tighten.
A couple of years ago I broke the shoulder bolt that drives the steps in and out and could only get the correct one from I believe SCS Frigette. I looked for the website info, but couldn't find it. When I ordered the shoulder bolt, they also had all the brass bushings that go on each shaft. I ordered all of the bushings and rebuilt mine. It pretty much works like new again.
As "Chef Guy" stated, someone made a protective flap for the steps. That was me....I think it helps to keep the road debris off of the steps. I used an old mudflap.
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Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2019 Ford Raptor
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08-04-2013, 05:32 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 199
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The flap or cover is a great idea Don. Thanks. If anyone fines the web address for parts please let us all know...
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Recon4
Retired USMC
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08-04-2013, 01:47 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Merritt Island, FL
Posts: 1,742
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Thanks Don for another great idea.
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08-04-2013, 06:06 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 48
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Bought the carpets for the entry steps. I installed them & now when I start my coach it indicates that the steps are not retracted even though visually they seem fine. Any ideas?
Dapperdan
2013 Monaco Knight 40 DFt
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08-04-2013, 06:12 PM
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#12
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"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 23,909
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Some of the carpets are too thick and can cause the steps to stop slightly short of fully closed. If it's the nylon carpet with the metal grommets and springs, make sure the grommets are completely under the steps front and rear.
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Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2019 Ford Raptor
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