Loose fold down steps

[KJJ]

Entering our Passport 238ML this spring and noticed the steps dragged on one side. On closer inspection it looks like the rod they go around to fold up/down is no longer connected to one side. It's odd because it doesn't look like it is long enough to go through the mount hole on the outer bracket but is solidly welded to the adjacent inner bracket, like it was never long enough.
Anyway, fixable or replace the steps?

[KJJ]

Not "dragged", they drooped when stepped on.

[NH_Bulldog]

It’s basically a rivet and there is no room to replace it with a bolt. Mine did the same thing and I replaced the fold-out steps with MorRyde Step Above threshold mounted tip-in steps. Then I installed a MorRyde storage box in place of the fold-out steps

[Canonman]

I'd say replace the OEM folding steps with the Step Above or Lipperts Solid Step.
Installation is easy and provides a much better/safer step to use.

[bobbecky]

Another option, one that we have, is the USA made GlowStep. No more spring board and nothing in the way of your door like the solid steps, but a very solid and stable step unit. https://www.torklift.com/rv/glowstep-revolution#specs

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by bobbecky

Another option, one that we have, is the USA made GlowStep. No more spring board and nothing in the way of your door like the solid steps, but a very solid and stable step unit. https://www.torklift.com/rv/glowstep-revolution#specs

Depending on how the OP uses his steps the Torklift GlowStep may or may not be the ticket. I took a set of very nice set of MorRyde Step Above steps off my RV and replaced with the GlowSteps. My problem was the fixed length of the MorRyde steps made it impossible to access the interior of the RV in the storage building. The flexible GlowSteps fixed that BUT there are some significant trade offs; they are not nearly as sturdy and flex when walking on them. I think that issue is because there are 5 steps and the length/angle makes it bounce when on them (200lbs.). If the pull out 5th step is retracted then the length between steps, and the angle, become problematic. The steps themselves are more shallow than the MorRyde plus the adjustable landing legs leave a post protrusion sticking up you trip over all the time if not careful.

I think replacement of the steps would be the solution to the problem. The product that works best would be up to the OP. Fold down solid steps are great but have the drawback of requiring lots of distance outside the entry door. Putting the storage box where the suspended steps are now is a good idea. Good luck on picking your new project OP!

[JRTJH]

For someone on a budget, upgrading to solid steps is going to be somewhere around $300-350 plus the time to install them. The only thing wrong with the OP's steps is a broken rivet. It's true that he can't replace that rivet with a nut/bolt with the steps installed on the trailer....

BUT: He's going to have to remove them to install any other type step, and, since he's removing them, he has the "perfect opportunity" to just replace the broken rivet with a nut/bolt and some Loctite to keep it from coming apart.

Then, rather than "installing the upgrade steps" he can just "reinstall the current steps"....

Cost: Around $5 plus his time.....

Sure, an upgrade might be "nice and now is a great time since the OEM steps need repair/replacement".... On the other hand, if his budget doesn't include that kind of expense right now, he does have other options......