Here is a new one

[CoastieSCPO]

I have a double step Kwikee Electric Step on the MH. The rig had been parked for about a month, so I took it out for a ride the other day. The steps appeared to be working properly when leaving, stopped and topped off the gas tank and returned home. When I parked it in the RV Port the steps sounded funny...they were making a "thunking" noise. Low and behold, they were only extending and retracking partially. Upon examination and much to my surprise,three of the bolts that mount the control unit to the step itself underneath the steps were sheared off. I did not believe that I hit anything and there was no damage or evidence of damage to the undercarriage, steps or mountings for the steps. We backed the broken bolts out and the threads inside the control unit are OK. What a pain! I called Kwikee and they said that this was a "new one" to them but were very nice and are sending me new bolts. We also purchased bolts at the hard ware store.

I cannot figure out just how this happened. Maybe I hit something but the evidence showed otherwise. Possibly, over the last 4 years that we've owned the Allegro, the bolts have loosened up and broke off. I do know this however, routine maintenence in the future for any MH that I own will include checking the torque on those four bolts that are holding the control unit for the Kwikee Steps. And, by the way, Kwikee has great customer service! Like I said, this was a new one.
Bob

[CoastieSCPO]

I have a double step Kwikee Electric Step on the MH. The rig had been parked for about a month, so I took it out for a ride the other day. The steps appeared to be working properly when leaving, stopped and topped off the gas tank and returned home. When I parked it in the RV Port the steps sounded funny...they were making a "thunking" noise. Low and behold, they were only extending and retracking partially. Upon examination and much to my surprise,three of the bolts that mount the control unit to the step itself underneath the steps were sheared off. I did not believe that I hit anything and there was no damage or evidence of damage to the undercarriage, steps or mountings for the steps. We backed the broken bolts out and the threads inside the control unit are OK. What a pain! I called Kwikee and they said that this was a "new one" to them but were very nice and are sending me new bolts. We also purchased bolts at the hard ware store.

I cannot figure out just how this happened. Maybe I hit something but the evidence showed otherwise. Possibly, over the last 4 years that we've owned the Allegro, the bolts have loosened up and broke off. I do know this however, routine maintenence in the future for any MH that I own will include checking the torque on those four bolts that are holding the control unit for the Kwikee Steps. And, by the way, Kwikee has great customer service! Like I said, this was a new one.
Bob

[abarkl]

Someone else probably hit them when it was parked and they were extended. I wonder about mine in parking lots since I have the 3-step unit that extends further out, but sure makes it easier to get from the ground to the steps for the kids.

[CoastieSCPO]

In reference to my post regarding the broken Kwikee Steps. Well, crawled under the MH this morning and installed the four new bolts and mounted the control unit. Hooked up the linkage to the step and the wiring harness. Happy to say that the steps worked perfectly. In fact because all the bolts are nice and tight now, the steps are working better than ever.

There was no damage to the steps to begin with, so the moral to this story is to make certain that all the mounting bolts are tight. I certainly learned a lesson!

Bob

[John-D]

At least yours extended.

If your steps fail to retract there is a fairly simple procedure you can follow to manually retract them (Remove bolt, add bunge cord)

However if they fail to extend.. The () (*!_@)(#_!(@&! Steps block access to all the bolts you need to remove!!!

At least I got them working again.

[CoastieSCPO]

John-D
I was nearly at the point where bungee cords or straps were to be used. Fortunately, the rig is at home so I just had to wait to get the bolts. At a campground...well, would have had to tie the steps up.

Just another chapter in the Rv'ers book of experiences.

[John-D]

Where as I was at the point of grabbing an external step box I happen to have (2 steps) which is the "Won't Extend" equivlent.

Thankfully where I have had it parked it's been easy to take "one giant step" in and out of the rig, at least for me. Wife is another matter.

I also got it working though, no loose bolts.