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Sidewinder4 · 07-24-2017, 11:28 AM

A few weeks ago I stepped out my door to only have a bolt break off within the assemble for extending and retracting coach front door steps.

Called Newmar and they wanted approximately $1000.00 plus dollars to send me a replacement. Newmar also confirmed that my assembly was no longer made by Lippert and I would have to buy an updated one with some minor work mods to complete.

Called Lippert and they were very helpful, confirmed that the Coach Steps I had was no longer made and they referred me to Amazon to buy the series 34 coach steps for $719.00 ($659.00 + Tax, free delivered to my home). Amazon could sell it cheaper than Lippert sales. They could match the price but could not do free delivery. Step dimensions were an exact match for except mounting holes.

This past weekend I got under the coach and removed four easy to get mounting bolts, and dropped the old system down pretty easy. I then took some card board and made a pattern from the old step mounting bolt pattern and taped it to the new one. So that ended up being the mod, drilling four new holes to match the mounting bracket to the frame of chassis from when it was initially installed.

Further, my new cannon plug plugged into initial coach electrical system plug with only two wires I had to splice to the old existing wires, first was a green ground and a second peach colored wire that I believe goes to step light on passenger seat control panel inside of coach. (Lights up step well, turns outside door light on, and illuminates an amber light under steps).

Step assemble weighs 69lbs and I did the project myself. So I saved $300.00 from what Newmar wanted and I also saved the cost of labor. Entire project was less than 90 minutes to do.

Lastly, I know some of you are thinking about replacing the broken part and not the entire assembly. I am to old to not have dependable steps, I want no part of a possible failure again for awhile. I could of seriously gotten hurt this past break down. So I went with the whole new assembly. The new steps have a new retracting and extending mechanism and the bolt that broke on the old assembly has been done away with entirely under the new design. I am 270 lbs and step are rated for 300 lbs, not much cushion. No regrets from me.

Hope this may help someone else!

vsheetz · 07-24-2017, 12:11 PM

Good choice to replace, imo. That Coach Step brand unit is problematic beyond the common breakage of that swivel bolt. We replaced ours with differing unit earlier this year.

l1v3fr33ord1 · 07-24-2017, 03:24 PM

Sidewinder4-

I'm interested in knowing if Lippert told you that the Coach Step was subject to a recall notice that came out in 2016. Lippert would pay for a reinforcement bracket to be installed at an approved company, or offer $200 off the cost of replacement Kwikee steps. Details here:

Coach Step Recall FAQ
Coach Step Double Step Recall Repair Instructions

vsheetz · 07-24-2017, 04:09 PM

Tiffin has issued a safety recall for the bolt breaking. As commented it's a bracket that keeps the steps from swinging freely when the bolt breaks. It does not fix the bolt breakage issue itself. And yes, Lippet offers $200 discount - to a dealer, if buying from Lippet at their higher than available elsewhere for less price. As it was not really a good incentive I opted to handle it otherwise.

Tetonchief · 07-24-2017, 04:16 PM

Well, I had the recall done at North Trail RV. Less than a year after that my steps broke--would swing back and forth with no resistance. Had to tie them up as I was on the road. Had a mobile repair guy come out and look at them. He thought it looked like the whole "recall kit" wasn't installed--only the easy parts. I have a good service contract/warranty. Repairman want d to do new steps but warranty wouldn't go that route. They payed for another recall kit (Lippert provided free)to be installed which was a real PITA for the repairman because he had to take the steps to a welding shop to have a bolt that was welded cut off. He then returned with the steps and kit and I helped him by holding the steps up in position while he started the 4 mounting bolts. I paid 200 deductible on a nearly $500 job.