Community Forums

alank · 07-30-2015, 06:29 PM

There have been some occasions when we've parked on the street next to a curb and the curb is higher than the steps when they extend. My steps always extend when the door is opened and always retract when closed. I can shut off the retraction when camped and would like to shut off the extension if I want. I haven't run across any switch to do this. Do any of you have a switch?

Also, is there a slip clutch built into the steps to prevent damage when this happens. I've had it happen a couple of times and the steps still work.

PandK · 07-30-2015, 06:42 PM

I added a switch in series with the power to the steps and mounted it in my dash. Found a switch at Newark Electronics that matched the other dash switches.

wa8yxm · 07-30-2015, 06:45 PM

Had the same problem.. And solved it with a toggle switch.

Depending on the age of your steps the door switch either follows or opposes the door (Follows means door open switch open) I *THINK* that is the NEW style.. Older steps door open switch closed.
(the switch is a magnetic reed switch in the door jam)

I found the leads under the motor home, "tapped" into them and wired them to a toggle hidden just inside the door in the carpet lining the side of the step well.. Turn the switch "ON" and the steps thing the door is closed, all the time.

harleyjt · 07-30-2015, 09:38 PM

Interesting. On my Newmar, if I turn the step switch off with the door closed and steps in, I'm almost positive they stay in even if the door is opened.
jt

leesdx1 · 07-30-2015, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alank

There have been some occasions when we've parked on the street next to a curb and the curb is higher than the steps when they extend. My steps always extend when the door is opened and always retract when closed. I can shut off the retraction when camped and would like to shut off the extension if I want. I haven't run across any switch to do this. Do any of you have a switch?

Also, is there a slip clutch built into the steps to prevent damage when this happens. I've had it happen a couple of times and the steps still work.

I guess if you are parked you could also turn off the coach 12vdc power via toggle switch.

ctpres · 07-30-2015, 10:16 PM

Tape magnet on switch with steps in. Controller will never see door open.

dabrooks · 07-31-2015, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leesdx1

I guess if you are parked you could also turn off the coach 12vdc power via toggle switch.

I think on ours the steps are wired to the chassis battery and not the house battery so turning the 12 volt (salesman) switch off doesn't turn off the steps.

frankdamp · 07-31-2015, 09:59 AM

Our '02 rig had an on/off switch at the top of the inside steps that disconnected the step-motor power at whatever position they were at. We were on a State ferry two years ago and were immediately behind a nearly new Class A. The vehicles are parked very close together (side by side) with barely enough room to walk between them.

After everyone had boarded, the folks in the Class A opened the house door. The steps came out and hit an almost new Mercedes in both driver's side doors. Since they weren't fully extended, they wouldn't retract. There was quite an altercation when we got to Friday Harbor! Disembarkation took a while.

wa8yxm · 07-31-2015, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleyjt

Interesting. On my Newmar, if I turn the step switch off with the door closed and steps in, I'm almost positive they stay in even if the door is opened.
jt

Kwikee makes two different controllers. The older one worked that way.. The newer one does not.

One additional comment to the O/P.

Kwikee steps, contrary to what some think, DO NOT have limit switches.. When you open the door the steps extend. when they hit something (Say the curb) or when the arm hits the stop, the motor stalls, current surges and the controller says to itself "Done extending" and shuts down.

Same when you close the door..

Thus it does no damage if they hit the curb

It may, however, be dangrous (Slip and fall type danger).

avid_dk · 07-31-2015, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankdamp

After everyone had boarded, the folks in the Class A opened the house door. The steps came out and hit an almost new Mercedes in both driver's side doors. Since they weren't fully extended, they wouldn't retract. There was quite an altercation when we got to Friday Harbor! Disembarkation took a while.

Wow, thanks for that cautionary tale! We love going to Anacortes and since purchasing our new motorhome we have been considering the Coupeville Ferry to avoid the Seattle driving nightmare. On our Bay Star there is no way to stop the steps from activating. I tried every conceivable combination.

frankdamp · 07-31-2015, 11:12 AM

It would be relatively simple to add a toggle switch in the line supplying the step motor. As I remember the logic behind deleting that feature on newer models, it was to avoid people falling out of the RV when the door was opened and they didn't notice that the steps were retracted.

Lawyers against common sense strike again, quite literally in the case of that Mercedes!

GA Navigator · 07-31-2015, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleyjt

Interesting. On my Newmar, if I turn the step switch off with the door closed and steps in, I'm almost positive they stay in even if the door is opened.
jt

Mine operates this way. I use this feature often when parked at a campground. I have a heavy duty folding step that I prefer to use so I leave the automatic step retracted.

1994 Holiday Rambler Navigator
Cummins 8.3
Allison MD3060

TQ60 · 07-31-2015, 08:48 PM

Ours has a switch just inside with all of the light switches and it works well except when dw hits it instead of lights with door closed then flips back...Later stepping out into air...

Engine overrides the built in step switch that will allow retract when door closed and engine running.

(Now insert locking pin to lock steps out)

You could add switch in motor line to insure motor cannot run regardless but controller may not like it.

What model do you have?

Hikerdogs · 08-01-2015, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleyjt

Interesting. On my Newmar, if I turn the step switch off with the door closed and steps in, I'm almost positive they stay in even if the door is opened.
jt

This is also the way the steps worked in our 2001 Winnebago Adventurer and our current 2013 Adventurer. In addition turning off the 12 volt power doesn't disable the steps.