Community Forums

komac · 08-16-2013, 11:48 AM

On my 2010 Hurricane, there is a small switch at the inside corner of the entrance screen door. It is a magnet actuated switch. Anytime the door opens or closes while the chassis battery is connected, the steps operate. There is also a step control switch on the lower part of the left wall near the entrance. That switch will not keep the steps from extending unless I'm inside the coach and press the disconnect switch to the off position. Is there a way I can rewire the step control switch so I can operate the steps without the door switch? I'd like to get rid of the option to have the steps extend or retract by opening or closing the entrance door? I'd appreciate any input. Thanks. Komac

Old Scout · 08-16-2013, 11:57 AM

This may vary by model but with inside switch on, the steps will deploy anytime the door is opened and close when the door is closed. With the inside switch off, the steps will deploy with the door is first opened but will remain deployed for the remainder of the time--until/unless you start your engine. Not sure I understand why you would want/need the steps to work any other way?????

Brockx · 08-16-2013, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by komac

On my 2010 Hurricane, there is a small switch at the inside corner of the entrance screen door. It is a magnet actuated switch. Anytime the door opens or closes while the chassis battery is connected, the steps operate. There is also a step control switch on the lower part of the left wall near the entrance. That switch will not keep the steps from extending unless I'm inside the coach and press the disconnect switch to the off position. Is there a way I can rewire the step control switch so I can operate the steps without the door switch? I'd like to get rid of the option to have the steps extend or retract by opening or closing the entrance door? I'd appreciate any input. Thanks. Komac

Just curious is there a particular problem? Having the steps open when you open the screen from the inside is an important safety feature. You are aware you can "lock" them open unless the ignition is turned on?

oops!!! Old Scout and I were both typing

jrd48 · 08-17-2013, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Scout

This may vary by model but with inside switch on, the steps will deploy anytime the door is opened and close when the door is closed. With the inside switch off, the steps will deploy with the door is first opened but will remain deployed for the remainder of the time--until/unless you start your engine. Not sure I understand why you would want/need the steps to work any other way?????

X2. That's the way mine works.

clyon51 · 08-17-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by komac

I'd like to get rid of the option to have the steps extend or retract by opening or closing the entrance door? I'd appreciate any input. Thanks. Komac

This is easy. Go in coach and turn ignition to off. Go outside and shut the door. If steps go in, open door, flip the step switch to the other position. Now go back outside and shut the door. If your step system is working correctly, the steps will now stay out.

When the time comes when you forget to bring the steps in before depature, when you turn ignition on, the steps will go in.

komac · 08-17-2013, 08:57 AM

The reason I asked this question is that I want to stop the steps from extending when I park next to a high sidewalk curb or other object. I keep them in now by using the battery disconnect switch when I'm in the coach before exiting. However, if I do the recent recall modification that is being circulated by Thor, I will no longer be able to disconnect the chassis battery unless I install a manual battery disconnect switch inside the coach. I also had to be towed once and could not keep the steps from extending unless I remained in the coach to operate the battery disconnect switch before getting out. Komac

redfire312 · 08-17-2013, 09:29 AM

a small magnet should simulate the one on your door and make the system think the door is closed all the time and would be removeable should you happen to want to put it back to normal

Brockx · 08-17-2013, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by komac

The reason I asked this question is that I want to stop the steps from extending when I park next to a high sidewalk curb or other object.

Although that is annoying and seemingly causing damage, it is not. The steps operate utilizing a load sensing system, not limit switches. If the steps open and contact a curb they stop. This is the same way they work every time they open or close, they travel as far as they can, sense the load that they have went as far as possible and stop.

komac · 08-18-2013, 02:58 AM

Thanks for the suggestion Redfire. Do you think the magnet would stay in place in case of a tow? I had to keep the steps from extending when I was towed about fifty miles after an engine control module failure when my coach had less than 4000 miles on it. I probably should have kept the ignition on, but the tow truck driver preferred the ignition off. I'd like a more permanent solution. As I mentioned previously, the Thor recall involving the Battery Control Center will cause me to lose the utility of the battery disconnect switch inside the coach. Komac

redfire312 · 08-21-2013, 12:12 PM

the door frame is likely aluminum, no magnet will stick to it but some trusty duct tape would hold it in place for as long as the adhesive stays viable. I've had tape on my exterior covering a gash in the sidewall since december and its still stuck

frankdamp · 08-21-2013, 08:33 PM

As I understand it, there was pressure form the Feds (Product Safety folks, I think) in the mid-2000s time frame,to always make the steps open and close with the door (in our rig, it's the screen door) no matter what.

Our '02 has a "Steps disable" switch that will leave the steps in whatever position they were in when the switch was activated. The only time it gets over-ridden is when the ignition is turned on. The steps get retracted so you don't knock them against things.

Since we regularly take our RV on the State Ferry system, it's very useful to have the steps stay retracted when you open the door. Sure, you have to take care getting out, but it beats putting a $10,000 crease in the Mercedes parked within a foot of the side of the rig!

Unfortunately, the documentation Forest River supplied to the original owners of our motor home didn't include any wiring diagrams. Frankly, I doubt there are any, as the wiring seems to have been invented by the guys on the factory floor as they were building it.

Theberrys · 08-21-2013, 08:55 PM

I didn't see what brand step you have but here is a link to manuals with schematics for my Kwikee steps. https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=ae67f...2766057%212766

Dick

"007" · 08-21-2013, 09:08 PM

The locking switch would be in display area, mine is here, the switch when on will lock steps out unless you activate the ignition switch.
You can leave it off and steps will open and close when your door opens and closes.

Dunner · 08-21-2013, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankdamp

Our '02 has a "Steps disable" switch that will leave the steps in whatever position they were in when the switch was activated. The only time it gets over-ridden is when the ignition is turned on. The steps get retracted so you don't knock them against things.

Mine is the same way.