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08-04-2021, 06:05 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Solo Rvers Club
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Fulltime Traveler
Posts: 1,034
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Door entry steps on/off
Does your motorhome have door entry steps that have a switch inside to turn the power to the step motor on and off? Or a manual up/down switch so they go up or down only as you hit the switch? If so, please give brand and model number as I want one. BTY, please do not comment about the switch that makes the steps always go up and down with the opening and closing of the door.
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08-04-2021, 06:48 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,314
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Huh? On my Newmar the switch in position A (my term, as switch is not marked) the steps stay out regardless of door open or close but will retract when ignition key is turned on. Will extend when door opened. In position B, will retract anytime door closed, extend anytime door opened. I usually keep switch set in position A. When parked in our carport I’ll switch it to position B to reduce thee risk of hitting the steps while parking or driving the Jeep.
As far as I know there is no switch to totally turn power off to steps as it would be a safety issue.
__________________
Tom
2016 Newmar Bay Star Sport 3004
2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport Willys
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08-04-2021, 07:46 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Nor'easters Club Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Finleyville, PA
Posts: 367
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Haven't heard of anything like that. I suppose you could bypass the safety switch somehow, but why would anyone want to?
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Ron and Deb
2020 Entegra Qwest 24L
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08-04-2021, 08:13 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Solo Rvers Club
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Fulltime Traveler
Posts: 1,034
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RonandDeb
Haven't heard of anything like that. I suppose you could bypass the safety switch somehow, but why would anyone want to?
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Because several times my steps have gone down while the coach is moving, plus smashing into curbs when exiting.
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08-05-2021, 06:31 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Nor'easters Club Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Finleyville, PA
Posts: 367
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV Vagabond
Because several times my steps have gone down while the coach is moving, plus smashing into curbs when exiting.
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In that case, it sounds like yours may need serviced. If you don't want to get it fixed or replaced, I supposed you could simply locate the positive lead to the motor and install a switch. This way you could kill the power to it when you don't want it to have a mind of it's own. You could find a switch at any auto parts store.
Good luck.
__________________
Ron and Deb
2020 Entegra Qwest 24L
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08-05-2021, 06:45 AM
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#6
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Community Administrator
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DFW, Texas
Posts: 21,267
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There should be a magnetic switch in the door frame that activates the steps when the door opens. If yours is randomly opening, then the switch is either failing or there is too much space between the magnet and the switch. Our friends had the same problem with another brand coach and we had to put spacers behind the magnet to close the gap. No more problems after that. As for hitting a curb, the step controller is designed to stop the motor when it hits an obstruction.
__________________
2017 Phaeton 40IH XSH Maroon Coral - Power Glide Chassis with IFS
Previous '15 Tiffin Allegro RED 38QRA and '06 Itasca Sunrise 35A
'16 Jeep JKU Wrangler Sahara or '08 Honda Goldwing
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08-05-2021, 07:13 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,805
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I would assume any MomOn/MomOn switch could be wired in place of the current switch and control circuit, eliminating the current setup in its entirety. The switch would have to be Mom so that once extended or retracted, power to the step motor would be removed.
Of course by doing this, you would have to be fully aware of the steps status.
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2017 Fleetwood Bounder 36Y
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08-05-2021, 08:25 AM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,563
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV Vagabond
Because several times my steps have gone down while the coach is moving, plus smashing into curbs when exiting.
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Your problem is with the door position sensor and/or the ignition interlock, not the step mode switch.
If you want a brute force way to prevent it from moving, you can wire in a simple on/off switch on the power wire to the motor. No special switch of knowledge needed.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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08-05-2021, 08:27 AM
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#9
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,563
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I removed the answer he requested I not make. Even though its the correct one.
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Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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08-05-2021, 01:42 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,655
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To do what you want, simply put a switch in the negative ground wire(there's only one) since they receive constant 12V positive to make the components work properly.
That IMO is the best method of avoiding servicing your steps per the Kwikee Service Training Manual.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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08-07-2021, 06:32 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Titusville, FL
Posts: 5,160
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When I park at home I have a set of permanent steps with a landing built in. I have to disable the steps and keep them in the retracted position.
I just retract them and crawl under and unplug the motor. You have to do it carefully as activating the motor mechanism with hands, head and fingers all up in there could end badly.
I would never install an on/off switch (it would be easy) because of the chance of forgetting and having someone step out expecting steps and they're not there. It's a long drop to the ground from my motorhome. Just too risky.
__________________
When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.
2023 Grand Design 2600RB, 2022 F-350 King Ranch tow vehicle, Titusville, FL when not on the road
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08-07-2021, 06:40 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Alberta
Posts: 1,976
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[QUOTE=hohenwald48;5863757]When I park at home I have a set of permanent steps with a landing built in. I have to disable the steps and keep them in the retracted position.
I just retract them and crawl under and unplug the motor. You have to do it carefully as activating the motor mechanism with hands, head and fingers all up in there could end badly.
what could possibly go wrong! Please don't do this. Just the thought of it scares me.
__________________
Jeff and Annette Smith. Sparky, lemon Beagle.
2022 Chevy Equinox RS.
2007 Dutch Star
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08-07-2021, 07:05 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 20
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I have thought about disabling the steps also. Being younger sometimes it feels like an eternity waiting for the steps to operate whenever I open the door. I always leave the switch in extend and stay mode However whenever the engine is running they extend and retract usually when I want to quickly go in or out while checking cargo on the road or initial setup break down at camp. Sometimes I jump over them. Eventually I will install a override switch on the door reed switch to keep the steps in when door open. It is not a priority project so by the time I get to it I may be old enough to prefer the wait
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08-07-2021, 07:21 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lowell, Arkansas
Posts: 7,297
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Here's what happened to us. We were traveling and I noticed the steps were out. I asked my DW to go back and check. When she stepped on the bottom inside step they went in. When she took her weight off thebottom step they went back out. She stayed on the bottom step until I exited the freeway. Got out and pulled the power from the steps. After arriving at our first camp ground I figured out there was a loose connection on the magnetic switch. Fixed the loose wire and they are fine and have been for 3 years.
So in fact you may also have a defective magnetic switch. That is for sure one way the steps can come out when you don't want them out.
__________________
TeJay Auto Instructor/4-yrs USAF/ Liz: RN/ WBGO 2014 Vista 30T/ F-53/CHF/5-Star/Koni * Bella & Izzy * Golden /Cocker mix/ Louie The Cat* All Retired
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