Upgrade to Anodized Aluminum steps by Hickory Springs
Has anyone tired this upgrade from their cheap steel steps. I noticed that my 27 FB trailer came equipped with Hickory Springs steps ( all steel). Looked them up on e-trailer and they sell the same frame size with anodized aluminum steps with steel powder coated frame. They look a lot nicer than my OEM and way less money than the Airstream all aluminum steps, plus I have to say that I tried the new aluminum steps on a new Airstream and found them clumsy, didn't seem to be a rigid as the steel ones .
2015 23' FB International
2007 19' International CCD
Steamboat Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,020
Hello,
I upgraded our 19' Bambi from the one-step flimsy stock step to a two-step aluminum. The initial reason was due to the lift kit increasing the step height.
Then I just finished upgrading our 23FB from the Hickory to the aluminum two-step.
In both upgrades, I used the Lippert Alumi Thread manual pull-out steps. much more solid and nice appearance. When side-by-side with the Hickory, the difference is very noticeable.
I ordered the Bambi directly from Lippert, and the 23FB from etrailer. About $240.00, I think.
in both installations, I did have to do some fabrication of the brackets to make them solid. Nothing too complicated.
While I received my new aluminum and steel steps. I worked and sweated to remove the 4 bolts that where somewhat rusted and probably for that reason it was such a challenge, but once the old set was off it was easy. I used 4 new bolts from my shop started hand threaded,and snitched them tight. Used a 14mm box and socket wrench.( and a lot of liquid wrench to get the old ones off.).
Conclusion , they are an improvement look and function, with anti skid strips and small weep holes in each step, I would say 100% satisfied .
If you do replace your steps I would recommend that you either have an impact wrench at your disposal or take it to an automotive / tire shop where they have the heavy duty air tools to get the job done . Honestly it was a B to get them off , it was so painful 1/4 turn using my closed box wrench. You just can't get enough purchase power using a socket wrench because you are pushing up and turning at the same time and those suckers where rusted on but good.
If you do replace your steps I would recommend that you either have an impact wrench at your disposal or take it to an automotive / tire shop where they have the heavy duty air tools to get the job done . Honestly it was a B to get them off , it was so painful 1/4 turn using my closed box wrench. You just can't get enough purchase power using a socket wrench because you are pushing up and turning at the same time and those suckers where rusted on but good.
Thanks for sharing all these details.
Other than the difficulty of removing the bolts, did everything with the new stuff line up correctly? Did you have to drill anything?
2007 27' International CCD FB
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,123
Quote:
Originally Posted by LAWBC
If you do replace your steps I would recommend that you either have an impact wrench at your disposal or take it to an automotive / tire shop where they have the heavy duty air tools to get the job done . Honestly it was a B to get them off , it was so painful 1/4 turn using my closed box wrench. You just can't get enough purchase power using a socket wrench because you are pushing up and turning at the same time and those suckers where rusted on but good.
As another technique...
With a box wrench, you can use a hammer on the other end. Preferably a dead blow, but any hammer will work!
Other than the difficulty of removing the bolts, did everything with the new stuff line up correctly? Did you have to drill anything?
Everything was a perfect match I had no issues with alignment with existing hangers. I suggest to pack underneath with a box to support the steps and get within 1 inch of the hangers nuts then you can start tightening by hand. Rotate around each bolt cinch them up evenly. I was fortunate to have 4 new bolts and I would recommend that as well.
Also I'm not suggesting that removing the bolts is impossible, 2 of them came off reasonably well, but there was those 2 that did not. I heated them up slightly then soaked them with liquid wrench then wait a few minutes did that a couple of times.
My steps were in bad shape. I have a 2008 Safari SE 25FB and wanted to replace them. I took the advice from this post and ordered them from eTrailer. They arrived today and I installed them. Removed them without a problem. Bolts came out easily. Installed the new steps using my floor jack and a small piece of plywood. Lined them up and the holes lined up perfectly. I am very please with them. They look great. Thanks for the excellent advice. They seem to stick out a little farther than the old ones but I can live with that. Here are before and after pictures.
I replaced my OEM steps with these, and while they were indeed a perfect fit on my 2012 27FB, about a month in, one of the steel crossbars beneath the top step has detached due to a bad weld. Also one of the black traction strips has began to bubble. The vendor, etrailer.com, would not allow me to return them or provide a replacement unit without incurring return shipping of $30.
So I contacted the manufacturer who was great about it and are going to help me out by sending a no-cost replacement. But what I learned is apparently these particular steps are now discontinued and have been replaced by an extruded aluminum version, which are a few dollars more, but look to be a little more robust.
Anyway, I will of course be avoiding etrailer.com in the future, but big shoutout to the manufacturer, Hickory Springs, for stepping up so to speak.
I had to replace my steps(after running over a rock) and luckily I talked my engineers at MORryde to build some clip on steps for me that go to the ground. We are currently working on making some that attach to the inside and flip up into the door jam. If anyone has any questions about these just let me know.
i ordered the Stromberg Carlson SMEX-24-29 Hickory Springs Extruded Aluminum Step-Double, 9"
its a two step unit
11.5" high when folded and 14.75" when extended as measured from under the floor mounting point
the lower step sticks out 19.5" from the front the side of the As
the three steps unit are too high folded for my as22FB
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Has anyone tired this upgrade from their cheap steel steps. I noticed that my 27 FB trailer came equipped with Hickory Springs steps ( all steel). Looked them up on e-trailer and they sell the same frame size with anodized aluminum steps with steel powder coated frame. They look a lot nicer than my OEM and way less money than the Airstream all aluminum steps, plus I have to say that I tried the new aluminum steps on a new Airstream and found them clumsy, didn't seem to be a rigid as the steel ones . 
to get them off , it was so painful 1/4 turn using my closed box wrench. You just can't get enough purchase power using a socket wrench because you are pushing up and turning at the same time and those suckers where rusted on but good.
Everything was a perfect match I had no issues with alignment with existing hangers. I suggest to pack underneath with a box to support the steps and get within 1 inch of the hangers nuts then you can start tightening by hand. Rotate around each bolt cinch them up evenly. I was fortunate to have 4 new bolts and I would recommend that as well.
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