Electric Steps, I've had it

[DDDonkey]

I just replaced the motor for mine again (two times in two years). The problem is that the worm gear is metal and the other is plastic. My kids open the door and hop right out and it strips the gear. I wish they would sell just a replacement gear or a metal gear set up. At least it only takes 15 min to replace it. I think the motor is like $87 on Amazon.

[Wayne M]

There are moving parts and non-moving parts. Not only the motor with a gear in it but a sprocket (non-moving) on the bottom of the top step that can have a broken tooth (or more). Traveling down the highway debris hitting the steps can cause the problem, so don't only check the motor gear but visually check the sprocket.

Don't pay the ridiculous price that RV Repair places want for a motor. One can be had for about $80 on-line.

[Sue46]

How often do your steps extend? Ours extends maybe 3 times on a driving day. When we reach our camp for the night we extend them and leave them out until we leave. We never step on them when they are moving.

[tropically]

Shortly after buying my coach I started having problems with the automatic steps, I later found out that the guy that I bought my coach from had replaced the steps because they were rusty but used the old motor & controller so when I started having difficulties with mine I was getting under the steps & beating on the motor which worked by the way for a little while & then stoped all together so I went on line to Amazon after determining that the controller was at fault & ordered both the motor & controller & installed them myself problem solved.

[Wayne M]

p.s., don't worry if you are parked alongside a curb, extend the step and they don't go out all the way. They are stopped. It is an electronic current limiting switch that stops the step. When resistance is felt the current increases and stops the step.

When the steps are in the on position there is a constant current to the step controller. When in storage you can decrease the battery drain by turning the step off.

[dabrooks]

Originally Posted by Sue46

Since most of us have not had electric step problems and you have had problems on your last 3 rigs I would look into what you are doing/not doing. Something seems to be wrong on your end.

I replaced the motor on our 2013 Tiffin 3 times in less than two years. On several other occasions the motor got locked up. I had to pull the motor from the gear housing at least five times to free it up.

What we found out was the door button type switch was letting the steps cyclesout and in ever so slightly while we were driving. I shemmed out the button switch and have not had a problem since. Almost two years now. So he is not necessarily doing anything wrong.

[Tegu]

The motor itself seemed to work fine. The gear, or transmission, not so good. I thought about trying to find the three plastic (or whatever) pieces and the metal gear and replace. I would then have a spare.

[Rossi6998]

Originally Posted by Long Island Mac

On our 3rd MH. Problems with the steps on all 3. Steps locked in, steps locked out. 2nd time on this MH. Having the steps replaced with manual ones. Can I get out to pull out the manual steps?? Have climbed out too many times with them locked in. Just had enough!!!!

I completely understand what you are thinking. My electric steps have failed me twice within a couple years. When my steps failed the last time, I was going to replace them with manual steps until I searched YouTube and watched a few videos on how to repair the steps. If you can use a wrench/socket set, you can replace the motor on your steps... Trust me...

The hardest part for me was trying to determine which model of steps I had (Kwikee label was missing, but there was a part number on the motor). Once I had the motor part number, I searched the internet and purchased the motor for about $120, plus shipping. Took me 15 minutes to repair and probably saved myself $150-$200. Plus, if the steps every fail while on vacation, you can fix them yourself.

Good luck!

[Sue46]

I seriously doubt that 3 MHs had step problems. Probability pretty much rules that out. Something innocuous is going on.

[Unicorn Driver]

I can understand your woes.

Back in 2016 the Kwikee steps on my coach stopped working, the dealer replaced the motor. A year later the steps would not retract if the ignition was turned on, they will retract using the switch. The dealer has not been able to fix this.

[Wayne M]

Just remember there is a right hand motor and a left hand motor.

Here is one for $70 on AMAZON