Trailer Access with a walker

[scottthelocksmith]

Hi all, we have a 2019 Keystone Bullet with the factory step setup, looking for some ideas. My wife is having a hip replacement (her second) 17 days before our next planned trip. I'm thinking of building some sort of ramp or big steps that a walker will fit on, anyone have experience or good DIY ideas on this? Don't need to buy some expensive device its just temporary, in 2 months she'll be dancing up the steps!

[bobbecky]

Had my hip replaced almost three years ago and just used our folding steps. Just consider it part of her therapy. I used my other leg to actually step up and brought the other up, then repeated for each step. She will be surprised how well the new hip works, especially after suffering with the bad one.

[scottthelocksmith]

Thanks for the reply! This is her second hip so we know how great it will be, but I'm concerned about those skinny shaky steps. I'm sure the doc would tell her not to try it 17 days post-op. Might be time to fork out for the upgraded aftermarket solid step.

[chuckster57]

The only advantage to the solid steps is they are a little more rigid. She will still have to “step up” and once your done you’ll have screw holes in the Linoleum. If your goal is to have “stable” steps, I would use a small bottle jack under the bottom step. If there isn’t enough room for a jack, then maybe cut a variety of thickness pieces of wood to “shim” the bottom step.

I’m not a fan of those solid steps, they need like 3 feet to deploy and all the dirt empties inside when you put them away. For the short time she needs solid footing, I would look into something under the bottom step.

[sourdough]

Having had numerous "replacements" my thinking is that the existing steps is probably where you want to be if you don't want to go to the expense of replacing the steps. There are various ways to stabilize the existing steps without replacing them. I am no fan of the steps that fold into the door.

As you said, this will be for a short time before she is dancing. As my orthopedic surgeon always tells me; "you're not doing any good unless it hurts". Not being smart aleck but just kind of saying like it is.

[flybouy]

Hi all, we have a 2019 Keystone Bullet with the factory step setup, looking for some ideas. My wife is having a hip replacement (her second) 17 days before our next planned trip. I'm thinking of building some sort of ramp or big steps that a walker will fit on, anyone have experience or good DIY ideas on this? Don't need to buy some expensive device its just temporary, in 2 months she'll be dancing up the steps!

I don't think a ramp would e practical. To reach the floor the ramp would have to be very long and too bulky/heavy to move and store. We use the step stabilizers on both doors that swing down from under the step and are height adjustable. They work well for firming up the step. You may want to check into the larger step handle as well. They replace the typical step hand rail using the original screw holes. Best of wishes on a speedy recovery.