Carbon 347 steps

[JJaxon]

2018 Carbon has inside steps (3) that are different height.

Mine was built late 2017, and the steps inside that lead to the bathroom-bedroom are (as shown,) the bottom 2 are very tall and the top step very short. This is very awkward especially coming down. My big concern is safety for my grandchildren and my gf, she has MS.

My research shows that by mid 2018 Keystone changed this design to be 3 equal steps on the 347s, I missed the build change by a few months.

I also realize that the furnace intake air comes through the bottom 2 step "grills" and need a specific volume of air to allow proper furnace function.

My questions are has Keystone offered a solution to this step issue for the 2017/18 owners? My dealer acts like I'm speaking Chinese when I asked them and include the words safety hazard. Is there a kit available for dealers to modify these steps, or available for purchase?

Has anyone taken this mod on by themselves - what did you do?

Full disclosure- I bought this slightly used 347 from an individual, and the dealer has no direct connection to me, yet. Trying to establish a repoure with them but they don't seem interested in my money.

It's a project I can do myself, especially if a kit is available. Any help from the forum is greatly appreciated.

[mjeronimo]

Building codes for a house are 3/8 inch from tallest to shortest. I don’t think it applies to rv’s, my suggestion would be to find a carpenter to fix them. Is there something underneath?
Hope this helps.
Mjeronimo ( Carpenter 30 years)

[JRTJH]

I rebuilt the steps in our Cougar the summer after we bought it. Originally there was one step. I tore that out, replaced it with two steps. In doing so, I had to shorten the width of each riser so the extra step could be fitted in the total length to the door. It was an easy modification since there is nothing "structural" under the steps. Essentially, on my Cougar, it was an empty space with nothing under it, except for the wiring and heating runs.

Essentially, it's a simple "carpentry task" to pull out the old steps and install a "more equal height" staircase. I'd urge you, when you do install new ones, to use screws rather than staples, nails and glue, so if needed, you can remove the components to access what's underneath them. As for carpet, vinyl, rubber or wood covering, now is the time to install something you prefer and that is easier to keep clean as well as something more durable than the carpeting the factory used.

[jsmith948]

The steps on our Cougar were similar, although there were only two. The steps are nothing more than a carpeted box. I would feel around in the carpeted treads and/or risers for the attachment screws. I'm thinking the steps are screwed together to allow for access to the furnace. If you can get a look inside/under the steps, you should be able to determine if there is room to lower the bottom two steps and still leave room for the furnace/ducting. The measurements you show would allow for three equal step risers of 8 and a fraction inches.
If you do a forum search, there were several threads addressing this issue with lots of photos.

[JJaxon]

The steps on our Cougar were...
If you do a forum search, there were several threads addressing this issue with lots of photos.

I did search through this forum in the 5th wheel and the toy hauler sections and found nothing about this topic. I'll try again and broaden my search. Thank you for the tip, as I'm glad it has been addressed by others.

I was hopeful a retrofit kit might be available to simplify the task. As a commercial carpenter for many years, and now an engineering operator I am up to the task and will produce a link to it when I finish.

Thanks to all for advice, keep it coming, as i can never have too much good information.

[travelin texans]

If you are capable you'd be further ahead to do it to meet your needs & be a much better, safer fix. Even if the manufacturer did have a fix, which is doubtful that would EVER happen, it would be the absolute cheapest fix possible while sitting at the dealership for months that most likely wouldn't be any better than you already have.

[spicercars]

We had the same problem with our raptor. I took out the two steps and rebuilt them and now there is three. Once we put the carpet on them you cant even tell they where changed.

[MattE303]

Interested to see what you come up with, our '17 Carbon 337 is the same way and it drives me nuts!

[JJaxon]

I will do a video of this as a project when spring comes. I'll then post it here.

[craiggemt]

My '18 Carbon 347 build was March 2018. It has the three same height steps. That smaller top step would drive me nuts. If you need heights or other measurements from mine, let me know. It is currently in the shop for a week or two getting some warranty work done.

[JJaxon]

My '18 Carbon 347 build was March 2018. It has the three same height steps. That smaller top step would drive me nuts. If you need heights or other measurements from mine, let me know. It is currently in the shop for a week or two getting some warranty work done.

Measurements and a few pics would be nice to see, thanks.

[jim1]

If you have a broken tape measure, thick bi-focal glasses��,some glue and a few bent nails ��you should be able to do a much better job at fixing the steps compared to any manufacturer fix��

[craiggemt]

Sorry for the late reply. Bottom two steps are 8 5/8". Top step is 8 3/4" with the plastic corner guard. Pictures are from the internet but exactly like mine.