I have debated making this change but it is a fun concept that can be easily removed if I feel it doesn't work as I restore this
1955 Overlander.
The steps seem to be a place where water from road travel has rotted many floors. So I decided to do two things to help with this area that gets so much traffic as people step into the Airstream.
First I placed an individual piece of plywood in the space designated for the step then a piece of angle iron across the front edge of the step from one strong point of the frame to another. ( I used recycled materials I have saved over the years)
Then I created a hinged door with a spring mechanism that opens as the step falls into place. This door stops water from the road constantly splashing into the folded step area. I will eventually place a black rubber step edge (as shown) at the door entrance. This hides the pull handle that releases the step but also is flexible so you are able to pull the handle to release the step.
As I mentioned I can remove the whole thing or rework the idea if it turns out to be a problem but I like the idea for now it still needs some tweaking but aesthetically it creates a nice line when the door is closed.
Linear Mode
