Community Forums

JRadtheNoMad · 04-20-2023, 12:25 PM

Alright, I have had a memory lapse... I have replaced my step motor, which was quite a task, and now I'm trying to put the bars that connect the gear box to the steps together and I can't figure it out. Can I get a photo of someones series 42 steps from the bottom that shows the bars connected properly? Something with the steps in the extended position with the metal bars in place and then, if possible a picture of them in the retracted position. There are three bars total that start from the gear and then fold to retract and unfold to extend. I tried referring to the mfg. manual, but it does not show the three bar set-up.

MrMark52 · 04-20-2023, 01:40 PM

Does this give you enough detail (you can zoom in)? https://store.lci1.com/42-series-kwi...-system-367256

DJ55 · 04-20-2023, 06:06 PM

The problem is getting a picture from the bottom means removing that darn heavy plate that's supposed to protect everything. Take a look at https://www.etrailer.com/p-LC372779.html and in particular look at the image that you can drag to spin in 3D - it has a pretty good image of how the bars go. If that doesn't work then let us know and I'll get picture of my coach's type 42 setup.

geneh42aa · 04-22-2023, 04:43 PM

Will these work?

JRadtheNoMad · 04-23-2023, 10:55 AM

Well the replacement gear box is NOT an exact replacement as advertised... After a lot of searching and drill press work, my job is complete. Many of the preset holes are off just a little bit, causing some frustration as well as some widening of some of the preset holes so that studs and extending and retracting bars can properly do their jobs. Thank you for the pictures! This half day job turned into a three day job. After snapping bolt heads off of that large plate that holds the steps in place and dealing with taking the coach to a welding company for assistance... Don't believe what you read on the advertising pages of "perfect" replacement parts. Lesson learnt!! Haha!!

CntryCoachRV · 02-21-2024, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRadtheNoMad

Well the replacement gear box is NOT an exact replacement as advertised... After a lot of searching and drill press work, my job is complete. Many of the preset holes are off just a little bit, causing some frustration as well as some widening of some of the preset holes so that studs and extending and retracting bars can properly do their jobs. Thank you for the pictures! This half day job turned into a three day job. After snapping bolt heads off of that large plate that holds the steps in place and dealing with taking the coach to a welding company for assistance... Don't believe what you read on the advertising pages of "perfect" replacement parts. Lesson learnt!! Haha!!

Just curious which gear box you used. I am looking at a kit on Etrailer which is supposed to be a replacement, they call it an upgrade kit. Do you have photos of your new installation?
Thanks.

MrMark52 · 02-22-2024, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CntryCoachRV

Just curious which gear box you used. I am looking at a kit on Etrailer which is supposed to be a replacement, they call it an upgrade kit. Do you have photos of your new installation?
Thanks.

If you go to the Kwikee website, they have a full brochure on what parts are needed to fit what step system along with a step troubleshooting guide.

Determine what your needs are, seek resources for parts wherever you wish.

I found Amazon to have the best deal when I needed to replace ours a couple of years ago.

CntryCoachRV · 02-22-2024, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMark52

If you go to the Kwikee website, they have a full brochure on what parts are needed to fit what step system along with a step troubleshooting guide.

Determine what your needs are, seek resources for parts wherever you wish.

I found Amazon to have the best deal when I needed to replace ours a couple of years ago.

Thanks for you comments but Kwikee site doesn’t show detailed instructions on replacing the obsolete model series 42 steps. It does list several items that can be used to replace older model series 42 but replacements are not exact replacements for the gear mechanism and many folks who have replaced with these so called upgrade kits have had to make modifications to get them to work, drilling new holes etc., and that is why I asked for the exact part number he used as there are kits with full replacement of the motor, the gear box and the motor mounting table. Which upgrade kit did you use when replacing your obsolete series 42 gear and motor assembly and did you need to replace the motor/gear table too?

Actually Etrailer is cheaper than Amazon for Kwikee replacement parts.

Thanks for your comments/suggestions

JRadtheNoMad · 02-23-2024, 04:02 AM

I purchased it on Amazon. With some flexible hand work and getting under it, it can be done. The holes on the arms of the steps were slightly off after install of new motor, so some "widening" was required. I sheared two of the bolts holding the entire step mechanism into place, I was fortunate to have a welder friend nearby that helped heat and remove all old bolts and sheared ones, remount with corrections to step arms and reinstall. It works as intended now!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F92V41M...X80EK4B552DPTZ

thervlife · 03-20-2025, 08:40 AM

Welp, no one sells a direct replacement for my 2002 CC Intrigue 32' kwikee electric step motor/bracket/arm....

So, I got the Series 42 replacement and have it in place but the holes for attaching the step arms are off by about a 1/2" or so....

After reading the above posts I guess it's a matter of drilling a couple of new holes and hoping everything works correctly. One thing I am thinking of changing is instead of a bolt and nut to attach them I am going to try a bolt and cotter pin...

birdhunter · 03-20-2025, 10:18 PM

It's not clear to me exactly what you guys have. I put the upgrade kit in my series 42 steps over a decade ago. I've had to replace the motor a couple of times and never had any of these problems.

deandec · 03-21-2025, 10:42 AM

AM Equipment was a good sourced for the step motor in 2016

thervlife · 03-22-2025, 11:53 AM

Hmmmm

How do I get the dang thing to extend when the door is opened and to retract when the door is closed? I already took it back out and moved the arm to the opposite end thinking that would do it.... nope. I open the door and the stairs retract... I close the door and the stairs extend. Oh boy.....

d23haynes57 · 03-22-2025, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thervlife

Hmmmm

How do I get the dang thing to extend when the door is opened and to retract when the door is closed? I already took it back out and moved the arm to the opposite end thinking that would do it.... nope. I open the door and the stairs retract... I close the door and the stairs extend. Oh boy.....

May need to replace the door switch. They changed them from normally open to normally closed, or maybe reverse. Seems every time I upgrade a step or the controller, I run into this.