Community Forums

apr67 · 03-26-2019, 08:50 AM

So my new to me 2017 Windsport 34J had the first step in the entry way loose, when you stepped on it, or the electric step that is attached to it.

The problem for me was only on the right side (towards the front of the RV) step. It moved a good 2 inches, and I could tell it wasn't going to last long with that much movement.

Here is a before picture. The 2 aluminum angles are what provides all the support, and you can see the plywood which should be even with the sides of the step box.

So I took both angles off, most screws were into nothing, some were missing. Then I used a bottle jack to move the bottom step back into its location.

I reinstalled the bottom angle (which is much thinner and weaker than the vertical one) all the way towards the out side edge of the coach. Then I re installed the vertical angle so it overlapped the bottom angle.

I used #10 3/4" pan head sheet metal screws to reattach everything. 3/4 is slightly too long and the top of one protruded into the box at the top of the vertical angle a tiny bit, I had to grind it off. If I have to re-do this I will use #12 screws that were 1/2" long, and probably use countersunk screws. I will also use thicker angle for the bottom, I think it is either .062 or .125, and I would go with .250.

Here is the after picture. You can see I used two screws where the parts overlap. I also used more screws in that end of the angle in general. Step is rock solid now. I need to spray some undercoat on the exposed seams and caulk some gaps, but the structure is complete.

I suspect this will hold up for a while for this corn fed boy.

apr67 · 11-14-2019, 10:46 AM

So an update. After 6 months, the power step and first step in the RV are spongy again. I decided to fix it for good this time.

The aluminum TMC used horizontally to support the step was, at best, 24ga aluminum angle. Slightly thicker than a beer can. Mine cracked like humpty dumpty.

So I went with steel. I made a U shaped frame out of 1/8" 1x1 angle iron. A few welds and drilled a few holes. The bottom of the step box is now supported by the side of the RV instead of the side of the step box. Its as solid as a rock, my 275 lbs body can stand on the power step and bounce and it doesn't move.

Here is the frame on the welding table.