2 Step to 3 Step Install

[Port List]

My Hideout came with a 2 step entry - to reach a doorway nearly 30" from the ground. Not good. The first step out of the trailer was nearly a foot down. The DW was not happy. For my part, it felt like a controlled fall every time I stepped out of the trailer. The dog was the smart one, she had us carry her in. Those steps had to go. I research what was available, measured, figured and finally bought a Stromberg Carlson model SM-24-30 3 step entry stair. The original steps were unbolted and removed. Then the welded on sheet metal brackets were removed with a jig saw, hack saw, hammer and chisel. By the way, don't waste money on the outrigger brackets offered, they are weak and pretty much useless. I fabricated my own bracket sets and reinforcement links from 2"X2"X1/4" and 1"X1"X1/8" angle secured with 3/8" bolts. Each piece was fabricated on the piece before it, starting with the frame bracket, the top hanger and then the reinforcing link last. After final assembly and testing, I sprayed everything underneath with black paint to keep the rust down. The final result has the first step at just under 8", the second and third at 7" and the last at just under 8". The stairs are quite solid feeling and I was able to maintain 10" of ground clearance under them. The pictures show the old steps, the new steps folded, the brackets mounted and the new steps open. Now, we can enter and leave the trailer without a net!

[fred1609]

Super job. Looking at the before picture I see why you went and installed a 3 stepper.

[hankaye]

Port list, Howdy;

Nice job!!!

The pic. showing the brackets you made is nice but could you take another
from a distance that shows how and what is attached where???
Thanks.

hankaye

[audio1der]

Nicely done!
We've talked about replacing the 2 step at our rear/bath door to a 3 but it costs as much as a set of stabilizers which is a higher priority.

[Port List]

Hello Hankaye - I took a few more pics, but they are still not too detailed - camera phone quality. I'll try to describe it verbally. First I mounted two pieces of 2"X2"x1/4" angle 5 1/2" long to the frame. These are mounted to the inside web of the frame with a 3/8" bolt, top and bottom. The next two pieces, two pieces of 2"X2"X1/4" angle 13 1/2" long, bolt to the existing stud that the original step bracket bolted to on the end at the edge of the trailer bottom and to the frame brackets on the other end. It is these pieces that the steps actually mount to. The frame brackets are spaced so that the two 13 1/2" pieces form a pocket for the steps to set up into. The 13 1/2" pieces are drilled at a spacing to accept two 3/8" carriage bolts from the steps frame through these brackets. The last piece is simply a piece of 1"X I" X 1/8" angle from the bottom of the frame bracket on each side to the front carriage bolt on the steps where it goes through the 13 1/2" pieces. The pieces for each side are identical but mirror images of each other. Each piece is fabricated, bolted on, and marked for the next set of holes, and so on, with all the actual drilling done on a drill press for ease and accuracy. The only in place drilling was the frame itself, but that is relatively thin. I hope this helps. Please let me know if I can be of assistance.

[hankaye]

Port List, Howdy;

Pix are excellent for the purpose that they are intended for.
I can see clearly how you did it now. Thanks for taking the time to
take and post them up.

hankaye