When I bought my steps, used, the seller asked me if I had aluminum or steel. I had never seen a steel set until now in the picture above.
The steps look very similar in construction but some differences.
Good luck in your search, You could always change the whole step asssembly. I would recommend it if nothing else but getting away from the Steel and the rust.
Smily
__________________ Ken Smillie
My 1994 36' Classic MH is for sale See it in the classifieds
Tom,
The step you have was used through 1969. At least some (if not all) Airstreams were built with the aluminum 'flip step' starting in 1970.
I have seen the lower step accessory you mention, but I am not sure if the one I saw was a factory job or a homemade one.
It was very simple and looked much like the top (or standard) step supplied with the trailer. It was steel and was installed, when needed, by simply sliding two square tubes into the square holes in the standard step. These tubes were as long as the top step is deep which made for stability.
Also, the lower step unit was a solid, welded steel affair (no hinges or folding) which added to it's stability but made it a bit akward to stow for travel. I'd guess most folks would have stored them in the tow vehicle trunk or trailer storage compartment.
If someone on the forum has one that could be photographed, and maybe even measured, it should be an easy job for an experienced welder to replicate.
Originally posted by MarkE The step you have was used through 1969....If someone on the forum has one that could be photographed, and maybe even measured, it should be an easy job for an experienced welder to replicate.
Thanks MarkE - good karma for you! This confirms what I was suspecting. Now I'm hoping someone with that step sees this thread while it is current.
The PO (original) stopped by today to see the restoration progress, and was surprised that a lower step was available when he purchased the Overlander.
Hopefully, someone might be able to share another detailed description or picture of this apparently rare step.
My '71 tradewind has the same step that you have. The lower step folds flat for easy storage. It fits in the square holes in the first step. If you can hang on a few weeks I can get some pics and send them to you.
__________________
any help would be....ah.....most helpful!
Tom,
Ain't this forum great? Joecj76 has one of these rare birds.
I got looking through my '69 Owners Manual and came across two references to this step. Neither one showed any pictures of it, though.
On page 103 of the manual it states, "The auxiliary step extension (optional) can be placed into position by unfolding the wings of the step extension and inserting the square bars into the holes provided in the front of the fold-away step. Do not travel with auxiliary step inserted in fold-away step. Place the auxiliary step in the storage bracket provided under the trailer, forward of the main step."
So, either the one I've seen was a homemade replica, or had been modified to remove the folding wings feature. Plus, with this step, apparently, one also got an under-the-trailer bracket in which to store the thing.
I'll be anxious to see joecj76's photos, as now I'm thinking I'd like a lower step, too.
At the Rally here in Florida, the Airstream company store was selling all the parts to build your own lower step. They should be still available, the parts are listed by part number in my service manual.
Terry
The funny part is that when I got the Tradewinds, it had a lot of junk in it. The step was in the junk pile until the misses asked me why I was throwing out the second step! I sure am glad she knew what it was...I didn't.
__________________
any help would be....ah.....most helpful!
I have the second step and being really short, I like it. Has anyone put carpet or rubber or something on these steps? They look just right to smash a shin into them. silver suz
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