the mechanism that hold my entry steps in the retracted position isn't quite right. when in the "up" position, the step sags on the left. seems to be up all the way on the right. the catch seems to work; the lever releases the steps ok, and goes "click" when you push the steps up into place, but it doesn't hold the steps securely. sometimes, a bump in the road will jar the steps loose, and they'll deploy while under way.
a PO's idea of a fix was to attach a couple of draw-hasps...which help, but they don't work all that well, and of course, they're made from pot-metal and are all rusty and look like hell. I did pick up replacements that are SS, but would rather actually fix the problem than use this "work-around". problem is that I can't figure out how its supposed to work, even after staring at the exploded diagram in the service manual. there's not much to actually "see" from the outside, and I'd hate to take the bannana wraps on either side of the steps to find out that there's no fix.
If yours is like mine, it is a simple mechanism with a spring. Mine used to get twisted on an angle, and I had to tap them with a hammer to straighten them out. Part of the problem was the left outrigger was half rusted away. I fixed that by welding some plate steel to the good portion of it, then replaced the rusted spring, and with a heavy dose of silicone spray, the steps and latch now work perfectly.
__________________
1972 27' Overlander 72 Overlander Jack Pad--- A notebook used by Jack Nicholson in the Shining to keep track of how much work he had done on his Airstream. "All work and no polishing makes Jack's Airstream a dull trailer"
what exactly was it that got twisted? is something supposed to catch something on both sides, or just on the right side where the lever is?
Chuck,
My steps are acting exactly the same as your's..
Actually, the right hand side seems to be out of track plus, what with the rust..
What to do...what to do...
ciao
53FC
The lever on the right side controls a rod that goes just under your floor, and above the first step. It is attached to a flat bar that catches the pin from the side of the steps to lock it in position, or release it. Mine was twisting because of the weak outrigger. Yours may just need some heavy lubrication. That would be my first thing to try. I released the entire banana wrap around the perimeter of my trailer to get in there and fix things. It isn't difficult to do, just a pain the a**. The scary part is what you might find that you really didn't want to know about.
__________________
1972 27' Overlander 72 Overlander Jack Pad--- A notebook used by Jack Nicholson in the Shining to keep track of how much work he had done on his Airstream. "All work and no polishing makes Jack's Airstream a dull trailer"
The lever on the right side controls a rod that goes just under your floor, and above the first step. It is attached to a flat bar that catches the pin from the side of the steps to lock it in position, or release it. Mine was twisting because of the weak outrigger. Yours may just need some heavy lubrication. That would be my first thing to try. I released the entire banana wrap around the perimeter of my trailer to get in there and fix things. It isn't difficult to do, just a pain the a**. The scary part is what you might find that you really didn't want to know about.
I'll follow along as you two work this out..
I'm not sure I want know what's under there...lol
Good Luck on your fix...
53FC
Ok, so there is only one pin, and its on the right side? I was thinking that the droop toward the left side would be because it wasn't being supported over on that end. but if a single support from one side can do it, and its bent so that its not holding things squarely, that makes sense, too. is any of this visible without dismantling the wraps? I seem to remember sticking my head in there once and not being able to make heads or tails of anything, because there wasn't anything to see.....oh, well.
yeah, I already learned about finding out stuff I don't really want to know. this thing isnt' a big huge deal...just one of those little annoyances that you're bound to get w/ any 30 year old trailer, right? But we know what happens when you scratch the surface of one of these "annoyances" too vigorously.
I don't know if your step is the same as mine, a picture would help. Mine has slots on each side that a rod rides in. The very back of the left side slot had broken. This caused the lower part of the frame to deflect down and the step to be droppy.
The entire assembly was welded to the outriggers on both sides.
For a fix, I had new side plates made, and welded brackets to the outriggers that the step assembly bolts to. Next time it breaks, I can just unbolt it and fix it.
BTW, Thor stock is up almost 10% today, based on Winnebago report of very good earnings. Everything else is down like a rock.
I did kind of what Andy said. I plated/welded the inside of the outrigger with 1/16" steel. I ground down the steel to follow the curve of the step guide before fixing in place. Only one side of mine needed repair.
__________________
1972 27' Overlander 72 Overlander Jack Pad--- A notebook used by Jack Nicholson in the Shining to keep track of how much work he had done on his Airstream. "All work and no polishing makes Jack's Airstream a dull trailer"
the pics don't reflect the lower droop on the left side...its just that the hasps seem to raise it more on the left side than on the right.
the slots in the outriggers don't look excessively worn to me...or if they are, they seem to be worn evenly. just a little light surface rust, too. not like they're rotting away, or anything.
Pics....
the pics don't reflect the lower droop on the left side...its just that the hasps seem to raise it more on the left side than on the right.
the slots in the outriggers don't look excessively worn to me...or if they are, they seem to be worn evenly. just a little light surface rust, too. not like they're rotting away, or anything.
I see what you mean about the hasps.. neat idea
You know you want to paint that`! lol
ciao
53FC
Quick Links
this thing isnt' a big huge deal...just one of those little annoyances that you're bound to get w/ any 30 year old trailer, right? But we know what happens when you scratch the surface of one of these "annoyances" too vigorously. 
Original Manufacturer
Linear Mode
