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05-13-2018, 02:45 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Pembroke Pines
, Florida
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 5
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Drivers side step
Hi all!
I am new to a class B motorhome after owning a bunch of class A over the last 30+ years. I now have a 2016 interstate GT. I am wondering if anyone has added a drivers side retractable step to enhance the entry and exit of a slightly challenged driver.
Regards,
Larry
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05-15-2018, 08:39 AM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Camas
, Washington
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 288
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The front steps are window sill-y narrow and a slip hazard especially when exiting, if you are facing outward. I haven’t seen any retractable ones but those fixed wider step fairings don’t look too good either on some other class Bs. There’s a grab handle kit that attach to the window frame at proper height that I would try, this one from Sprinter Parts Depot...
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05-15-2018, 08:57 AM
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#3
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Prof. of Pending Projects
2018 Tommy Bahama Interstate
Orlando
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,658
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Yeah... those side steps are more of a hazard than actual help... specially when getting out of the AI, useless on exiting it...
I have not looked under it to see if a retractable mechanism would fit in there... would be cool to have something similar to what it is used in pickup trucks... but a smaller/shorter version
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05-15-2018, 08:59 AM
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#4
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Prof. of Pending Projects
2018 Tommy Bahama Interstate
Orlando
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,658
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05-15-2018, 11:52 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2024 Interstate 19
Fulton
, Maryland
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,867
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Nice find Wachuko! But you will have to remove or modify the lower trip installed by Airstream. I installed the extra grab handles mentioned by Air99. They help.
__________________
- - Mike
--------------------------
2024 Airstream Interstate 19e AWD
Previous: 2013 Airstream Interstate 3500 Ext Lounge
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05-15-2018, 12:25 PM
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#6
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Prof. of Pending Projects
2018 Tommy Bahama Interstate
Orlando
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxster1971
Nice find Wachuko! But you will have to remove or modify the lower trip installed by Airstream. I installed the extra grab handles mentioned by Air99. They help.
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Yes... this would have to go or be modify to accommodate the retracting step...
I do not have the body work/fiberglass skills to modify that trim... would be cool to make it so that it integrates to existing trim...
You know... steps hides behind that trim and it when it comes out, the trim is attached to the step somehow (or just part of the trim, that which comes in contact with the step...)
If they do it with The Transformers, pretty sure someone can do it with the AI
Or just cut right at the place where the step comes out... but you still have to finish the cut trim...
On the door handles, 2018 comes with those handles, so that is covered (and they are very useful). Good suggestion for the OP to add to his 2016 AI.
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05-17-2018, 08:29 AM
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#7
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1 Rivet Member
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Pembroke Pines
, Florida
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 5
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I thank you all for the insight into this matter. It appears that the best solution is to use the extra handle on the door and back out using two handholds.
Larry
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05-17-2018, 09:29 AM
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#8
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Contributing Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County)
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,164
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Camper56
I thank you all for the insight into this matter. It appears that the best solution is to use the extra handle on the door and back out using two handholds.
Larry
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That is what I do at almost 86 years old. Getting out forward is chancy. I installed the Mercedes handles on the doors and they really help. The added handle is at just the right place.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
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05-19-2018, 09:49 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2018 Interstate Lounge Ext
LV
, Nevada
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,580
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WACHUKO - don't see that heat booster thing from your pic, My pic taken just few days ago, I see though leveler leg definitely in the way of that big step you show in your pic.
But I also noticed the sliding door power step is narrower than that cavity that tucks under the door sill and the support bracket looks same size as used for power step which means if someone is really motivated to do this, they can use the same power step and just cut-off center part of that trim.
It may lose that "look" but gain the functionality & safety. I have a slightly different idea but gotta search for hardware first before opening mouth.
EDIT: Whoa! I just realized from looking at my original pic file in zoom on my phone - that trim piece is not 1-pc. It is 2-separate pieces. Pretty sure the middle part with the black anti-skid is the only piece attached to the bracket bolted to frame. What this means is the mod just got easier (well the labor part, the money part still high x2)
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05-23-2018, 06:48 AM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2015 Interstate Grand Tour
Lake Oswego
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 418
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In order to enter the vehicle gracefully I often mutter to myself... right, left, right. Which is the order in which I step up and in. By thinking in reverse to exit the vehicle, I end up planting my feet more securely. FWIW.
When I exit through the sliding door, if I'm not using the grab handle, I often find myself rotating my body so that I'm facing the vehicle once I'm outside of it. Seems to help me feel more secure. FWIWx2.
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05-23-2018, 11:24 AM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Camas
, Washington
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 288
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tronadora
In order to enter the vehicle gracefully I often mutter to myself... right, left, right. Which is the order in which I step up and in. By thinking in reverse to exit the vehicle, I end up planting my feet more securely. FWIW.
When I exit through the sliding door, if I'm not using the grab handle, I often find myself rotating my body so that I'm facing the vehicle once I'm outside of it. Seems to help me feel more secure. FWIWx2.
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Agreed, as you would going up and down a ladder, at least through the front doors, since the steps are about the same size, with both hands grabbing onto something!!!
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05-23-2018, 11:52 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2018 Interstate Lounge Ext
LV
, Nevada
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Air99
Agreed, as you would going up and down a ladder, at least through the front doors, since the steps are about the same size, with both hands grabbing onto something!!!
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+1
Just got back in town yest. & upon closer inspection, while the step portion of the Project2000 is approx. 17.75" and the cubby slot under driver/pass. step is 18.75" wide, the actual power step mech is much wider at 21.25" and much deeper than the current brackets supporting driver/pass. step. so it will take a major redo or takeoff as WACHUKO's pic to put one. And in my unit, it won't work even if I wanted to due to other h/w blocking such install. Bummer
So, I am thinking of making the step stick out a tad bit, I think even an inch or 2 can only help.. But isn't there a vehicular code about anything past tire fenders (exception being breakaway mirrors)?
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05-23-2018, 12:30 PM
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#13
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Prof. of Pending Projects
2018 Tommy Bahama Interstate
Orlando
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,658
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I did not check... but if the stock step is separate from the trim/sill... can it be extended out a bit more and bolted back in a different position? Extending out a bit more??
I need to look...
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05-23-2018, 12:39 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2018 Interstate Lounge Ext
LV
, Nevada
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wachuko
I did not check... but if the stock step is separate from the trim/sill... can it be extended out a bit more and bolted back in a different position? Extending out a bit more??
I need to look...
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Center platform (the piece with black skid) is separate from side trim. Pics below both from driver's side
Or we can wait for 2019 Sprinter step and get rid of existing step, trim, platform altogether.
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05-23-2018, 01:34 PM
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#15
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Prof. of Pending Projects
2018 Tommy Bahama Interstate
Orlando
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex AVI
Center platform (the piece with black skid) is separate from side trim. Pics below both from driver's side
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I see it now. Thank you for that photo!
So I wonder if a 1" spacer would be enough to make the step useful... if that piece is held in place with bolts... and place a new rubber cover to hide the extension...
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