Traveling/Storing Patio Steps And Loft Stairs

[Dennis852]

How does everyone store their steps and ladders? I have been traveling with mine on top of the happy jack but was thinking that over time and bouncing down the road would cause some damage. I definitely want them off of the garage floor and was thinking of securing them to the wall but I’m sure one of you has a great idea.

[LewisB]

For the bed (happy jack) in the garage, we put the ladder UNDER the upper mattress - that keeps it from bouncing around and falling out. We also put the garage table in the same area.

When you say "patio steps", I assume you are talking about one of the external ramp or side patio features on your toyhauler. We store our patio steps in the garage at the house:lol: for the following reasons: they are bulky and a pain to deal with during travel (as you have found), they are heavy and hard to set up, and they prohibit easy closing/opening of the patio ramp.

I have found that I love the patio, but I don't really like leaving it open at night or in the rain. My concern is the "plastic glass/screen" sliding doors don't provide any true security. So, once the garage is unloaded and the patio cables are in place, I can actually raise and lower the ramp from inside the trailer by holding the cables. So at night, I will fold up the railing system, then grab one of the patio cables, and pull the system closed. In the morning, I use the emergency manual unlock (red strap) to unlock the ramp and hold one of the cable s to slowly lower the ramp. Then extend the railing and I'm all set. I did it all from inside in my stocking feet - grab a rocker and my coffee and I'm set!

If you have kids and/or want to use the patio independently from the garage, then I guess you are stuck with the steps. You might be able to find some wall space in the garage where you could stand them up and fasten them down. On trips where we have used ours, I threw them in the back of our F350 between the tailgate and the 5th wheel hitch.

Good luck & happy camping!

[Big 417]

Exactly what we do also. There's rare opportunity to use the deck. Like you said, it's either raining, or the mosquitoes are too thick lol. And as you said, the whole security issue. Our child sleeps in the back. I'll bring the rear stairs if we're going somewhere for an extended stay. And then they usually ride in the box of the truck.

As far as the ladder, our 417 has the compartment under the garage cabinets, so it tucks in there.

I find putting stuff on the top bunk is risky, especially with slippery sheets and hard braking lol. That strap they give you is useless.

[curtthegreat]

We always take one set of patio steps with us, as we use the side patio as our main entrance. I strap it to the floor in the garage. If we take our Ranger, I strap it in the center of the floor, and have enough clearance to straddle the step.

We also have a compartment for the ladder, under the coffin loft, in the garage.

[Dennis852]

Yes those patio steps are a pain to haul around but like said in the pervious post I like to use them for the entry especially when we are in the dirt. It’s great to take shoes off, dirt bike gear, ext in the garage so we don’t track the mess inside. The garage is usually stuffed full of bikes, and things to boondock so I was thinking of adding some kind of mounting system to the wall so I could stand them and just strap them directly to the wall. But I am not a huge fan of drilling holes into my brand new rig so I think I am going to have to make room for them on the garage floor. Thanks for the reply’s fellas.

[K_N_L]

If we take the patio steps they ride in the back of the truck between the hitch and the tailgate. We’ve found few camping spots where their of use. We do use the patio during the days a lot but close up at night. Our ladder stores in the area under the loft, believe thats a Fuzion thing.

[xrated]

We don't take the patio steps with us...way too bulky and hard to store. One of our ladders is stored like this....
https://i.imgur.com/BMa6ZZS.jpg

And the other one is stored against the wall using the same type of fasteners, except the ladder is standing vertically and resting on the floor...but secured to the wall...
https://i.imgur.com/e9Ce0mp.jpg

Do a search for "Quick Fist". They come in several sizes, so make sure that you get the ones that are properly sized for the diameter of the object you want to secure.....and make sure that you anchor them into something solid...not just the wall or ceiling with the thin panelling.

[cfickjr]

Saw this on a used rig while buying mine. The created a holder attached to the frame by the spare tire. Will be doing this in the future.

[ACJCF2]

Patio steps in the storage shed and the loft ladder under the mattress.

[infantryofficer81]

We travel with one set of steps. The other one is in our storage shed. I stand it up on its side in the garage and drape a moving blanket over it, take tow bungee cords hook them together, and hook each end into the happijack rail. Our ladder has a dedicated storage area.

[MisaLetet]

I've read through this thread and now have a comment and another question related to the ladders. First, thank you for posting the pics of the patio steps that get stowed beneath the rig! My husband has been wanting to do that. I have a 2016 Fuzion Chrome 414. Did you get two ladders with your rig? One for the bunk up behind the main living area TV and one for beds in the garage?

[Big 417]

Our 417 came with one ladder. It has 2 sets of hooks to fit both heights. The loft and the jack n Jill. It stores in a compartment under the upper garage cabinets. Large door that hinges down.

[MisaLetet]

What year is your rig? My 2016 Fuzion Chrome 414 doesn't have a compartment in the garage under the cabinet to store our ladder ��. We bought velcro straps that have a carabiner attached and hang the ladder under the benches.