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09-27-2017, 01:35 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member 
1995 30' Excella
Harper Woods
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 316
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droopy aluminum step - a kludge compensation until something better can be done.
Hello,
I'm working on a lot of things right now, on a recently acquired '94 28' Excella, and the neighbors of all ages are curious to look. Well, the bottom step is a bit dodgy because it droops down & out due to wear of the upper aluminum step. This could be a hazard for someone who is a bit unsteady on their feet. So I dropped a couple of 8D waffle-headed nails into the corners, between the struts and the upper step, to compensate for the wear, until I can do better. Does a fix already exist?
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09-27-2017, 07:13 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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Have a welder fill in the worn away portion and then grind it back to where it should be.
Perry
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09-28-2017, 01:21 AM
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#3
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Road Geezer
2011 27' FB Flying Cloud
San Jose
, California
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 291
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You can buy a short post that fits under the bottom step and supports it. Ive seen it on SOBs at RV parks. Camping World probably has them.
__________________
Road Geezer Respect Nature
Respect Science
Respect Each Other
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09-28-2017, 04:03 AM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member 
1972 25' Tradewind
St Clair County
, Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 100
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Replace it
You could buy new steps: http://www.inlandrv.com/catalog/prod...roducts_id=849
In 1975 I bought a '68 Ford Mustang in near perfect condition for less than these steps. I would stick with the nail.... it shows ingenuity.
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09-28-2017, 05:00 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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Maybe a machine shop can fabricate the few parts you need replacing.
__________________
2008 Classic 25fb "Silver Mistress"
2015 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins. Crew Cab, 4x4, Silver
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09-28-2017, 08:55 AM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
1995 30' Excella
Harper Woods
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 316
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The problem is that the weightbearing surface area is too small & soft. Maybe a thicker, say 1/2" wide x 1/2" x 2" bar can be welded or bolted on.
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09-28-2017, 09:13 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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Seems like you could get a welding shop to weld a bead/a little bit of aluminum weld material right there.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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09-28-2017, 09:26 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master 
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,653
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How about leaving the bottom step folded and using this?
Mine supports 1000# and is very sturdy. Folds for travel.
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09-28-2017, 10:15 AM
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#9
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Traveler
2017 25' International
Staunton
, Virginia
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 939
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mollysdad
How about leaving the bottom step folded and using this?
Mine supports 1000# and is very sturdy. Folds for travel.
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I like that.
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09-28-2017, 11:33 AM
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#10
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Proud Owner Vintage SBB
Currently Looking...
Santa Monica
, California
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 165
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Elkhart Tool and Die has been making camper steps, among other things, since the 1950s, I think. Here's a link to the accessory you've been asking for. <http://www.elkharttool.com/accessories.html>
If you're planning on doing a lot of rallies you'll discover that some pretty big folks will put a lot of weight on those steps. I've seen original 1946 Spartan "Manor" steps destroyed at a rally open house by a gal that must've gone three bills. That restored Spartan now has a portable wooden box step for rally open houses.
<M>
__________________
"Of the gladdest moments in human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands... A journey, in fact, appeals to Imagination, to Memory, to Hope,—the three sister Graces of our moral being.’
– Sir Richard Francis Burton
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09-28-2017, 12:11 PM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member 
1976 27' Overlander
2021 30RB Classic
Lubbock
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 20
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DITTO Mollysdad.
Exactly what we do.
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09-28-2017, 01:36 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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I rarely use the second step.
Perry
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09-28-2017, 01:40 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1991 25' Excella
2011 19' Flying Cloud
Santa Ynez
, California
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,185
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Took ours off.
__________________
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Will Rogers
Alan
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09-28-2017, 06:30 PM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
2000 34' Limited
1985 25' Sovereign
LaGrange Highlands
, Illinois
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 98
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Blarney
Hello,
I'm working on a lot of things right now, on a recently acquired '94 28' Excella, and the neighbors of all ages are curious to look. Well, the bottom step is a bit dodgy because it droops down & out due to wear of the upper aluminum step. This could be a hazard for someone who is a bit unsteady on their feet. So I dropped a couple of 8D waffle-headed nails into the corners, between the struts and the upper step, to compensate for the wear, until I can do better. Does a fix already exist?
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If U R interested I have the fix for UR lower step I have braces that will put them back up where they belong.
The braces R $18.00 a pair plus shipping and instructions. I have put many of these on Airstream trailers and sold many to people that wanted to put them on themself. Contact jematkovich@aol.com Cell 708-567-4686. wbcci #1790
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09-28-2017, 06:33 PM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
2000 34' Limited
1985 25' Sovereign
LaGrange Highlands
, Illinois
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 98
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Quote:
Originally Posted by perryg114
Have a welder fill in the worn away portion and then grind it back to where it should be.
Perry
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With my braces no welding needed. Just drill 4 holes and counter sink screws with lock nuts and zazooom job done for $18.00
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09-28-2017, 06:51 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Bob, you used to be able to buy replacement parts for those steps. Not sure if what you need is available. Getting a welder to add some aluminum seems like a good idea, if the skill level is right, to get the new material to bond to the old and last a long time.
Good luck,
Peter
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09-28-2017, 07:39 PM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member
1995 30' Excella
Harper Woods
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 316
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OTRA15
Bob, you used to be able to buy replacement parts for those steps. Not sure if what you need is available. Getting a welder to add some aluminum seems like a good idea, if the skill level is right, to get the new material to bond to the old and last a long time.
Good luck,
Peter
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I know a certified welder. He beefed up the chassis for the tiny 750lb foam, canvas, & cedar camper that I built in this past year. I think he might be able to add the necessary pieces, but it'd be much cheaper if I could take the steps off and take them to his shop instead of his making a 'house call'.
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09-29-2017, 06:33 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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Do you have photos of this.
Perry
Quote:
Originally Posted by rmatkovich
With my braces no welding needed. Just drill 4 holes and counter sink screws with lock nuts and zazooom job done for $18.00
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09-29-2017, 07:34 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmatkovich
If U R interested I have the fix for UR lower step I have braces that will put them back up where they belong.
The braces R $18.00 a pair plus shipping and instructions. I have put many of these on Airstream trailers and sold many to people that wanted to put them on themself. Contact jematkovich@aol.com Cell 708-567-4686. wbcci #1790 |
Is this brace a rectangle of aluminum plate with two countersunk holes for 1/4-20 flat head machine screws? I have one of these on my steps on my 1999 Excella. One has been lost. I've been looking for a replacement. (sorry no photo)
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
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09-29-2017, 08:19 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,653
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Quote:
Originally Posted by onelisab
DITTO Mollysdad.
Exactly what we do.
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I got it originally for the MH when the front step was too high due to leveling. I liked it so much I started using it all the time. It has non skid strips and is pretty large so it's almost like a platform before you get to the step.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...OMMBCBVZYS63TK
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