Steps will not stay put

[krazeekalvin]

When I step upon the fold out step's they will not stay put in their nothes. They will give to either side. If I replace the bolts that go into the main body will that solve my problem? Thanks

[vswingfield]

I saw this solution at the Branson rally.
The top has a T sweated on and the bottom has one with a slot to fit over the back of the step.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/atta...4&d=1192908130

I haven’t made my own yet, but plan to. My steps are behaving like yours.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by krazeekalvin

When I step upon the fold out step's they will not stay put in their nothes. They will give to either side. If I replace the bolts that go into the main body will that solve my problem? Thanks

The notches are worn out in the two footstep outriggers.

You can weld steel in the grooves and then grind it out to fit, or, you can replace the outriggers.

Andy

[byamcaravanner]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

You can weld steel in the grooves and then grind it out to fit, or, you can replace the outriggers.

This is what I'll be doing to mine... when I get there.

It's alway good when Inland Andy confirms my plans... thanks Andy!

[krazeekalvin]

Thanks for all your help.

[53flyingcloud]

Originally Posted by vswingfield

I saw this solution at the Branson rally.
The top has a T sweated on and the bottom has one with a slot to fit over the back of the step.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/atta...4&d=1192908130

I haven’t made my own yet, but plan to. My steps are behaving like yours.

As I see it..
The idea is to just place the T in place by friction?? KEWL..
Thanks for sharing the photo again...
53FC

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by 53flyingcloud

As I see it..
The idea is to just place the T in place by friction?? KEWL..
Thanks for sharing the photo again...
53FC

Hi 53FC,

That’s right. He told me to make them slightly long so you have to lift the step to slip the top in and ease them down solidly. They worked very well. I also saw a commercially made similar single T adjustable product, but the homemade ones appeared superior. By making them the exact length needed, they can never be out of adjustment. The cost is just 4 Ts and a few feet of tube.

[53flyingcloud]

Aha..
Thanks for the additional tip, I can see how that would be..
My steps are not bothering me just yet.
It's always good to have the know how..
And, another little project to add...
ciao
53FC

[Cracker]

I have the same problem. Are the replacement brackets readily available at a reasonable cost - i.e. - cheap enough to make jury-rigging not worthwhile?

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by Cracker

I have the same problem. Are the replacement brackets readily available at a reasonable cost - i.e. - cheap enough to make jury-rigging not worthwhile?

Good question. I created a detailed reply concerning home made braces vs. aftermarket ones. Only when I was about to post the reply did I realize that you were talking about solving the problem in the first place.

I looked online for the replacement brackets but came up dry so far. Does anyone know of a source for these?

[byamcaravanner]

Originally Posted by vswingfield

I looked online for the replacement brackets but came up dry so far. Does anyone know of a source for these?

Elkhart Tool makes a unit for total replacement. Check out unit #424

[Happycampers]

Originally Posted by byamcaravanner

This is what I'll be doing to mine... when I get there.

It's alway good when Inland Andy confirms my plans... thanks Andy!

You can get the step outriggers at any Airstream dealer. I just replaced mine this summer. They are $16.00 to $18.00 depending on what dealer you get them from.

Marvin

[bilby05]

I noticed in the photo of the brass tubing tool that it is attached to a two step set. Our AS has the single step type and we would love to get double steps. Wife just had a total knee replacement a couple of months ago and my knees are wearing down fast. Does Airstream make a dual set that will fit a '69 Sovereign? or do you have to purchase an aftermarket one like the elkhart tool ones?
thanks, bill b.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by bilby05

I noticed in the photo of the brass tubing tool that it is attached to a two step set. Our AS has the single step type and we would love to get double steps. Wife just had a total knee replacement a couple of months ago and my knees are wearing down fast. Does Airstream make a dual set that will fit a '69 Sovereign? or do you have to purchase an aftermarket one like the elkhart tool ones?
thanks, bill b.

Airstreams double aluminum footstep will fit your 69, but you must change the footstep outriggers and add a release bracket at the bottom of the entrance door.

Andy

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by byamcaravanner

Elkhart Tool makes a unit for total replacement. Check out unit #424

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the link. I didn’t see anything at ETD that looked like the steps on my Airstream, though. I would rather repair mine or even just use the braces than adapt what I saw there.

I do appreciate the effort.

[byamcaravanner]

Originally Posted by vswingfield

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the link. I didn’t see anything at ETD that looked like the steps on my Airstream, though. I would rather repair mine or even just use the braces than adapt what I saw there.

I do appreciate the effort.

I agree that they aren't the same...actually the slides are just opposite of the original...but they are the only aftermarket steps that achieve the flush look when closed.

My plan is to repair the original unit already installed on mine.

Good luck finding a solution that works for you.

[bilby05]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Airstreams double aluminum footstep will fit your 69, but you must change the footstep outriggers and add a release bracket at the bottom of the entrance door.
Andy

Andy,
A couple of questions. About how much would the double steps cost? and the installation procedure doesn't sound like a do it yourself job, correct?
thanks, bill b.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by bilby05

Andy,
A couple of questions. About how much would the double steps cost? and the installation procedure doesn't sound like a do it yourself job, correct?
thanks, bill b.

If you can rivet and weld, it's a piece of cake.

The double aluminum footsteps with the release latch, anti-skid pads and two outriggers cost way over $500.00.

I am not at the office, so I cannot accurately quote.

Andy

[wingfoot321]

Word of Warning

If you have the double steps, do not use them without some type of brace to take the force off of the system. I have the brace made by an airstreamer and usually used it whenever we would think about it. It was a sloppy fit and there was a little movement which would cause a slight jerking motion as you put full weight on it. Bottom line, didn't use it for a couple years and now one of my side brackets has rounded out and it is not a simple job to repair.

I plan to take the trailer to a good welder and have him build up the track just as Andy suggests. Then it will be a matter of filing the curve back into the track so it will hold.

These steps can be dangerous if you are not aware.