I hate these aluminum steps

[jump]

There I said it ... they are the worse steps! difficult to use, busted knuckles, pinched fingers, trip and fall hazard, and I HATE EM!

I will be replacing them with the lippert or the hickory steps, but I want to know if anyone else has done this mod.

If I have offended your sense of aluminum-ness, im sorry. but im at my wits end with the way they fold, they are spongy, and I fear every time my wife tries to operate them that she will break a nail or sever a finger.

so let me know please the experience of replacing the aluminum steps with steel and the challenge of doing so.

2004 classic 31

[GCinSC2]

Jump,

I have an '07 30' Classic and with a repair I made my AL steps are quite robust and LOCK into the outrigger frame.

Can you post a pic of the hook in your outrigger that the sliding arm and bolt lock into.

With a bit of work and keeping the hinges and pivots clean and a little silicone once in a while DW even deploys and stows the steps easily.

Gary

[richard5933]

There is a support bar that makes the steps feel solid as a rock. Easy to use and not expensive.

For the other issues and difficulty opening/closing, I'd suggest that you might need to do some adjusting/cleaning/lubricating of the pivot points and mounting hardware.

I agree that they can seem overwhelming, especially at first, but once you get the hang of the steps they are nothing at all.

To open ours to the first step, I just pull up on the catches and the steps fall into place. No effort other than pulling the catches is necessary. To get the second step down, it's as simple as knowing where to pull and then a single pull gets the second step into position.

The support bar goes in next and takes about 5 seconds to install.

Folding the steps is no more difficult - flop the bottom step over onto the top step, and the pull the whole thing forward to release the catch and push it back into place until it locks.

If yours are more difficult than this something is out of adjustment or worn. Parts are easy to get to get them working properly again.

[Mollysdad]

I like the step, ONE.
So I leave it folded and use a sturdy platform step.
It's never failed me in 15 years.

Flip it over and place it inside the door when packing up.

[richard5933]

Here's a thread about the step stick support bar.

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f53...ma-205643.html

Get one of these and it will change your whole outlook on the steps.

[GCinSC2]

I was given and I use a step stick but the step stick does not repair a worn out hook in the outrigger. This is a pic of my worn outrigger hook before repairing my outrigger hook. The worn hook cannot safely lock the bolt on the sliding arm securely.

Gary

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

I was given and I use a step stick but the step stick does not repair a worn out hook in the outrigger. This is a pic of my worn outrigger hook before repairing my outrigger hook. The worn hook cannot safely lock the bolt on the sliding arm securely.

Gary

I re-profiled the *hook* and replaced the shoulder bolt from the outside.

Bob
🇺🇸

[crispyboy]

There is definitely a technique to using the bottom step. They work much easier with a little lubricant as previously suggested.
We use the step bar as mentioned which does take any sponginess out of the steps.
I also had reform the out rigger as they were wearing out. I laid a bead of weld in place and shaped it with a carbide burr.
Many of our friends only use one step and then a platform step.

[jump]

I appreciate that yall all have responded and that is what I like about this forum. Thank you for all the responses.

But ...

I must have not been clear. I don't like the steps and I have no intention of continuing with them. I will be replacing them. they are going to no longer exist on my trailer. not with silicone, not with a stick, not with any kind of modification whatsoever.

My intention of this post is to ask who has replaced, not modified the aluminum steps.

so, there it is, thank you in advance for any and all replies.

[Kvsterling]

Kwikee electric rv step. I have a 1-step and quite solid. Operates automatically, extend when door opens or keep it open/closed with power switch off. Will need to add a door switch and power switch on wall/cabinet. It functions perfectly every time. I have single step, would do double step if I had to replace it

[jimfa440]

Originally Posted by jump

There I said it ... they are the worse steps! difficult to use, busted knuckles, pinched fingers, trip and fall hazard, and I HATE EM!

I will be replacing them with the lippert or the hickory steps, but I want to know if anyone else has done this mod.

If I have offended your sense of aluminum-ness, im sorry. but im at my wits end with the way they fold, they are spongy, and I fear every time my wife tries to operate them that she will break a nail or sever a finger.

so let me know please the experience of replacing the aluminum steps with steel and the challenge of doing so.

2004 classic 31

Practice, I'm on my 4th Airstream over many years. I've always had these steps. I've never hurt myself, just learn how to use them. They are the best you can get. They will be spongy if you don't get both sides of them latched properly. Texans are tough, don't let them down.
Happy Camping

[Steamy1]

I replaced the stock Hickory steps with the Lippert double Alumi-Tread® Manual RV Steps. Very happy with them. Replaced and installed on both our 2007 19' Bambi and our 2015 23FB.

Made a modification by welding a shelf on the bottom to store shoes and boots when parked and the steps are deployed..

[Life is a Highway]

When they work they work. When they jam up its frustrating.

My wife will only unfold the steps once not twice she hates the sponge feel also. Our 2021 is headed back to JC for the step up date. We cannot unfold ours out as the frame to step bolts have fallen out. The fix is a large hole dripped into the black trim bolts replaces then a access cover is made. If your young and have work space people have fixed them at home. I feel under warranty it’s a JC repair. Out of warranty it is your option.

I would not buy steel ones just another item to paint. An option is fold out once and then use a step stool. We carry a sturdy aluminum step.

[QUOTE=jump;2658293]There I said it ... they are the worse steps! difficult to use, busted knuckles, pinched fingers, trip and fall hazard, and I HATE EM!

I will be replacing them with the lippert or the hickory steps, but I want to know if anyone else has done this mod.

[gypsydad]

Well, after all these years and 4 Airstreams, the "new" aluminum steps are better I must say, than the old metal box steps we had on our early 25' Safari and FC models. IMHO, of course!.

Yes, they can be frustrating to some...especially the wife...but couple comments here I do agree with:
1) silicon lubricant helps a lot.
2) getting the additional aluminum "adjustable step" as suggested has worked great for us. (Camco Adjustable Height RV Step Stool (43676) As others have said here, you can easily leave lower step folded and just use the step stol. It's also nice when traveling as we can just grab and use without deploying the steps for quick bathroom or lunch stops.

Being from Texas, I understand; some folks patience wears thin...try the silicon spray and the Camco type step and see if that doesn't make things a bit better. Did for us. Your no worse off than you are now if you decide you want to invest the effort/money to try and replace anyway, right?

[nvestysly]

I know I've seen a thread or two on the subject of replacement steps. Don't know if you've done any searching on the forum but here's a link to several threads that may help. None of the threads has the one-size-fits-all solution but there are useful tidbids in each thread.

https://www.airforums.com/forums/sea...rchid=16065962

Another variation of a step replacement is made by MORryde and you can see their product at

https://www.morryde.com/products/airstream-stepabove/

[Aironius]

Thanks for the photo. I was reading this thread and wondering what the OP was talking about since my steps are steel, fold out to only a single position and work fine. And the PO of my Bambi covered them with a custom diamond plate aluminum skin so they look all silver. Never seen steps like those, must be newer than 2001?

[Hickory1945]

I need to work on my factory steps so this thread is very timely. Looking at the alternatives that have been mentioned in this thread so far, the problem I see is they require a certain amount of ground clearance. Since we don't always camp in perfectly level spots I can see this as a problem. By the time we level the trailer from side to side the bottom step may be very close to the ground or have a significant amount of clearance. They require the clearance to be between a maximum and a minimum. Think I will stay with the factory steps.
Thanks;
Hickory

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by Aironius

Thanks for the photo. I was reading this thread and wondering what the OP was talking about since my steps are steel, fold out to only a single position and work fine. And the PO of my Bambi covered them with a custom diamond plate aluminum skin so they look all silver. Never seen steps like those, must be newer than 2001?

Not really newer then 2001 my parents had a 1973 with them and my 1988 has them. I believe Airstream just switched to steel steps for a few years, possibly only the lower trim models.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by jump

I don't like the steps and I have no intention of continuing with them. I will be replacing them.

I've seen a mod where the popular Morryde steps were installed in an Airstream/Argosy. Most SOB trailers are using them. (or Lippert). Fold up and they latch inside the door.
The downside is they dump any sand inside the trailer.
Also, on uneven ground they need adjusting of the legs.

[Piggy Bank]

I agree that they are horrible. I won't deploy them as I feel like I'm going to loose a finger.
My DH will do it, and it doesn't seem to bother him.

Our 2015 bambi sport 22 had a single step that was easy to deploy.

When we are traveling, we use this step stool to get in/out during stops. I also use it to load up and unload at our storage place. During trips I use it at the table so I have better posture at the computer, and I use it outside to keep my feet off the cold ground.

Found on Etsy.