automatic step question

[rdking647]

my rew rig has automatic steps that extend when the door is opened. i have a storage question though. when i park the rig for an extended period where i store it if i turn off the auxilary battery the steps stay in teh extended position. am i better off leaving the aux battery on so the steps retract for storage or turn it off and leave the steps extended (im talking about storage for a month or maybe 2,longer in winter

[Ray,IN]

Just turn off the battery switch while the steps are retracted,you'll just have a higher step into/out of the coach during storage.

[Jwhines]

There is a step button that will leave the steps open while you are camping, and allow the steps to retract when you are traveling. If you have the button in the position that retracts the steps, shut the door, then turn off the battery switch. That will keep the steps in the retracted position, however, it also creates a big step to leave the motorhome. Be careful getting out.

[rdking647]

is it better to retract them instead of leaving them out?

[Lit]

Retract them

[tropical36]

Originally Posted by rdking647

is it better to retract them instead of leaving them out?

Depends on whether or not, there is any danger of them being hit with something, like a vehicle going by or other.

[DA_BUS]

I retracted mine for a couple of years...now their is room so nothing will hit them - so I leave them out. I am not sure what brand or style you have. If there is some type of spring tension in a certain position..I would leave the step in a position that doesn't stress any spring loaded mechanism....if no spring..no problem. Just some thoughts.

[gruelens]

It will not hurt the power steps to leave them extended during storage with the 12v power disconnected. The only problem would be if they are in the way and would get hit.

[wa8yxm]

The answer depends on where you store it.. If rigs are parked so you need to squeeze and ther is a danger, RETRACT.. (Mod described below) i stored at home with no danger, Leave extended.

MOD: The Kwikee step controller uses a SPST magnetic reed switch to sense door position... Now, depending on the age of the controller this switch may be a N/O (normally open) or N/C (normally closed).

With the override/power switches set so the switch follows the door and the door open.

Find the smallwires that go to this switch under the coach, with the steps extended short them together (Keep out of the way of the steps) if they retract than solder on tap lines and run those to a toggle.

If the steps do not retract then close the door (Steps should retract) and again short the wires, if steps now extend, seal one of the bare spots (GOOP works well) and cut the other wire (Steps will now retract) and solder on extensions (Heat srhink and goop to seal) and connect to a toggle.

The toggle now lets you "Fake" the door closed, which way is closed and which is open depends on the controller,

This works out well for me if.

1 I am parked near a curb where the steps can not properly extend and having them partially extended is more dangerous than fully retracted.

2: Wife liked to shop ALDI stores (So do I) they do not bag your groceries but put em in the cart loose like you brought 'em to the counter... Well if I have the motor home in the lot she would bring the cart to the "house" and Id go out and she'd come in, I would force retract the steps so i could stand where they were and hand the groceries up into the rig.. She'd start putting 'em away and when the cart was empty Id take the cart back to the store to get her quarter back while she finished, Made it much easier to do that.

ON other occasions its come in handy too.

[SarahW]

Since our motorhome is in public storage, we always retract the steps before shutting off the power. I feel this will make it a little more difficult for any thief to jimmy the door, though I'm probably fooling myself. I like that the steps are tucked away.

[Not a Clue]

My steps are connected and controlled by the chassis battery, so I can shut off the Aux batteries and still have the step retract when opening the door.