Automatic Steps Extension Defeat?

[Ceratto's Grotto]

There are situations where I do not want the steps to automatically extend when the door is opened. In particular, when I am parked curb side. When extending when I am parked curb side they hit whatever curbing is there and then stop, (no damage YET). I am also a little gun shy since the ˜automatic' extension feature on steps on a previous motor home extended "automatically"� just as I was driving onto the Golden Gate Bridge.


Is it possible to make modifications to where the automatic retraction always works but one can turn off the automatic extension, including the first time the door is opened after the ignition key is turned off (with a switch or something)?

I already have a steps switch and it does stop the steps from extending and/or retracting, BUT, it will not stop the steps from extending the first time the door is opened after the ignition key is turned off.

I asked the Monaco factory about it and their response was:

"I'm sorry to say that I would not know how to bypass the step operation and for safety reasons, would not be able to advise on how to do it for reasons of liability."�

Just-A-Thought: Since there is a switch there that already does defeat the automatic steps, (˜except' for the first time the door is opened after the ignition key is turned off), it seems odd that they are liable only the first time the door is opened after the ignition key is turned off.

[Ceratto's Grotto]

There are situations where I do not want the steps to automatically extend when the door is opened. In particular, when I am parked curb side. When extending when I am parked curb side they hit whatever curbing is there and then stop, (no damage YET). I am also a little gun shy since the ˜automatic' extension feature on steps on a previous motor home extended "automatically"� just as I was driving onto the Golden Gate Bridge.


Is it possible to make modifications to where the automatic retraction always works but one can turn off the automatic extension, including the first time the door is opened after the ignition key is turned off (with a switch or something)?

I already have a steps switch and it does stop the steps from extending and/or retracting, BUT, it will not stop the steps from extending the first time the door is opened after the ignition key is turned off.

I asked the Monaco factory about it and their response was:

"I'm sorry to say that I would not know how to bypass the step operation and for safety reasons, would not be able to advise on how to do it for reasons of liability."�

Just-A-Thought: Since there is a switch there that already does defeat the automatic steps, (˜except' for the first time the door is opened after the ignition key is turned off), it seems odd that they are liable only the first time the door is opened after the ignition key is turned off.

[chasfm11]

I understand your problem but it might not be as bad of a problem is you currently believe. The steps are supposed to stop, not based on position but based on increased current flowing to the motor. When the steps run into something (like a curb) the motor tries to push them against it, draws more current and the controller turns off the voltage to the motor - at least in theory.

I'd agree with Monaco that it is a safety hazard to disable the steps. I had a step controller failure recently and could have manually uncoupled the lift bar, strapped up the steps until I got the the CG and then removed the strap and allowed the steps to drop. I was worried about things that could happen between home and the CG and decided that it just wasn't worth taking the risk. In the case of a MH fire, for example, you may only have seconds to get out. I'd like a chance for the steps to be there in an emergency. Maybe I'm just to conservative.

[Ceratto's Grotto]

Thanks for response. If the motor works as you say, stops based upon the current increase not on position and no damage is incurred, I'd prefer to leave it alone as you suggested. I'll do some more checking and try to insure that is the case. Thanks for putting me on that track.

[UFO Pilot]

Mine have always stopped when resistance is met.

[two2go]

Our coach retracting step has three steps, and I was considering cutting off the bottom step because it often hit curbs. I decided not to since we sometimes are parked where the height to that first step is quite a bit. Since the mechanism seems to handle the occasional stop against some obstruction, I can live with it.

[JWatkins]

The only issue I have had with my 3 step unit is that it managed to get hung on a curb. The resistance was great enough to where the step could not retract. I thought about just easing forward to see if I could drag it off without damage, but the thought of tweaking the unit bothered me. I used the jacks to raise that side of the MH and got it closed without damage.
Joe

[SlickTX]

I have experienced the hung step at curbside as well. Having to extend a jack and hope it doesn't overextend is not my idea of fun.

I now just pull the fuse on the step when I know we will park at curbside (like when we're parked in front of our house to load or unload), then I pop the fuse back in once we pull away a short distance. Not perfect, but it works for us.