want to add steps - door sill too high - Fiberglass RV
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Old 12-23-2014, 02:01 PM   #1
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want to add steps - door sill too high

Has anyone added a permanent step to doorway, rather than using a step stool? 17" is a stretch. My search gave me 4,000+ posts.
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Old 12-23-2014, 03:11 PM   #2
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There isn't much to anchor a step to on most FGRV's as they weren't designed with needing one in mind. Anything you put underneath will further reduce road clearance and may get hung up on curbs etc.


Harbor Freight has a folding aluminum step platform that I shortened for my Hunters rear entry door that is sometime higher than wanted. You could get two of them and shorten one to about 8" and set the other one at 16" and fold and nest them for storage.


The well known bad news about fold out steps is that they often get left down when towing and then get knocked off with resulting damage.



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Old 12-23-2014, 03:18 PM   #3
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Trailer: '88 Scamp 16, layout 4
North Florida
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I did not like the folding step on a previous trailer so just built an 8" high simple box for a step for the Scamp. I flip it over and toss it just inside the door for travel. It is a handy place to keep a small screw-jack I put under the frame centered under the door in camp. The step I built is larger and far more stable than any folding step I have seen, and I need all the help I can get to "launch" myself into and out of the tiny door on the Scamp.

I just realized the step can be seen under my name in the photo to the left, along with my three best things. My daughter, dog, and Scamp.
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Old 12-23-2014, 03:45 PM   #4
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Trailer: Casita SD17 2006 "Missing Link"
California
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You may want to look at "Little House Customs". They have a double step for Casitas. Not sure if they would fit though, give them a call. I've delt with them, good folks.
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Old 12-23-2014, 08:55 PM   #5
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Name: Lee
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I have been considering an extra step myself because of my 60 something year old knees. I was thinking about making a single wooden step that would rise halfway between the ground and the pull out step and when traveling just toss it inside the door. But I was wondering if anyone has heard of having a ramp that would go from the ground to the pulled out step? It could also be tossed up in the trailer when moving. When I go to the bank or anywhere there is a wheelcair ramp walking up and down that is sure a lot easier on my knees.
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Old 12-23-2014, 09:32 PM   #6
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Something you have to drag out, remember to pack or is unstable... can be a PITA. One of the best "packed" steps I've seen, is one created by Joy A. years ago. It's really a hinged box, with a carpet scrap on the top. She uses the "box" to store stuff used outside. Just picks it up and puts it inside before shutting the door when leaving. One of the first things brought outside when getting ready to camp. Easy, peasy.

Check out this direct post by Joy A. with pictures! Joy A. Step
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Old 12-23-2014, 09:39 PM   #7
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Something to consider, and I don't know if it's just peculiar to our set-up. Our 89 Bigfoot has one of those built in steps that slides up into a carrier when underway. I found that it is too close to the trailer and uncomfortable to use. We currently carry a small step stool but I want to find something better.
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Old 12-24-2014, 03:03 AM   #8
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I like that box with the hinged lid but will change the style a little to suit my needs.
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Old 12-24-2014, 11:04 AM   #9
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Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
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I made a step similar to Tim's. Used it first with the Uhaul and today using it with our Casita rather than the pull out step which is smaller. When traveling it sets upside down inside the door and holds the rear stabilizer handle, front screw stabilizers, fire extinguisher, and a few short boards.
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Old 01-02-2015, 12:48 AM   #10
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Old 03-21-2016, 12:56 AM   #11
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Georgia
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Wayne here. I'm going to put the spacers on my Casita. To get to a high rise axcel. Going from 14 inch wheels to 15's. I will fab a metal step that will be very easy to add 4 wing nuts to as you are setting up your camper. Most people will think it came that way from the factory. I will post some pics.
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Old 03-21-2016, 02:32 AM   #12
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Trailer: Casita SD17 2006 "Missing Link"
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne Holder View Post
Wayne here. I'm going to put the spacers on my Casita. To get to a high rise axcel. Going from 14 inch wheels to 15's. I will fab a metal step that will be very easy to add 4 wing nuts to as you are setting up your camper. Most people will think it came that way from the factory. I will post some pics.
Hi Wayne, welcome to FGRV. I added Orbital Machine Works 3" lift to my '06 SD. I have 14" tires and it did make that first step a bit higher but we haven't found it to be a problem. I have an extra double step but it's way to big of drop for my Casita. Maybe if I had 20" tires . You may want to do the lift and see how the step works for you before adding an extra one.
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Old 03-21-2016, 08:12 AM   #13
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Name: Steve
Trailer: 2018, 21ft escape— 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie
NW Wisconsin
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I built a wooden step / box out of treated Lumber and gave it a couple of coats of exterior stain. On 3 sides the sides extend slightly above the top deck so I can place a rubber mat on the top deck and the mat stays in place . The underside of the step / box is built so my portable solar panel fits inside the step and the step protects the solar panel when traveling in the back of my truck. When we get to our camp site I pull the solar panel out of the step, turn the step right side up , put the step in place and put the rubber mat down.
We tried using a metal and a plastic step stool but we found them too small and unstable especially at night.
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