Step bolt missing, need to replace

[satdog01]

Lost rivet on second step as well. TSC will sell loose Grade 8 bolts by the pound, bought enough bolts, lock nuts etc to replace all the rivets on previous Flagstaff. I believe the issue is FR should be contacting the suppliers of the steps regarding this issue. My steps were Flexsteel and were about three years old.

[jtownstumpjumper]

Originally Posted by kenh

We converted our last trailer from 3-step to 4-step. It was a 2004 KZ Sportsmen. The 3-step lasted from 2004 until I replaced them in 2009 or 2010 with the 4-step. The rivets never fell out of the original steps after all those years of service.

The only reason I converted the KZ steps was to get a few more years out of my original 'knees'. Replacement parts (knees) are not quite as good as the original equipment. You are correct the 4-step made a big difference.

The only reason I have delayed converting the FR from 3-step to a 4-step is the weak mounting arrangement for the step box. The KZ had 4 studs dropping out of the floor for the step box (like every trailer I owned before). I removed the 4 nuts from the studs, dropped the 3-step box and easily replaced with the 4-step box.

If not for the fact FR only provided 2 of the 4 studs I would have already converted from 3-step to 4-step. Having little faith in the '2-stud' mountings for the step box under the FR 8265WS, I am considering converting to the aluminum steps.

As mentioned, my 2012 only has 2 studs dropping out of the floor to support the step-box and that's not working very well. If mine had 4 like the KZ, I would eliminated that 'weak rivet' 3-step and replaced with a 4-step last year.

I'm wondering why my 2012 only has two studs instead of four. I would be interested to know if your 2014 FR has what I could consider the standard 4 studs dropping down from the floor to secure the step-box?

Thanks,
Ken

The step-box or frame of both the 3-step and 4-step Flexco steps bolts in place with 4 bolts....it bolts to 2 plates(1 on each side) that are mounted to the floor.... these plates are held in place using 1 bolt or stud coming out of the floor near the front edge of the camper and a 4 inch weld joint on the back end welded to the main frame of the camper....the lower back part of the step-box or frame is screwed to the frame with 2 self-tapping screws....never had a problem with them wanting to come out.....this is on a 2014 CC Silverback 33RL

[Murmaids]

Wow! Guess we were lucky neither one of us got hurt. We noticed the bolt missing and put our extra step stool under the the bottom on the last step. It stabilized the entire set of steps.

As far as knees being replaced. Don't wait to long. We've both had both our knees done. One was done 6 years ago. No issues!

Thanks again for your input!

[greymedic]

I've had two of those rivets break while walking down the steps. Replaced them with nuts, bolts & washers. Feels very sturdy.....just watching the other rivets!

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by greymedic

I've had two of those rivets break while walking down the steps. Replaced them with nuts, bolts & washers. Feels very sturdy.....just watching the other rivets!

Why wait for another one to break? Spend $10 and 20 minutes and replace rest of them.

At my age, I have enough things hurting without inviting more.

[masterglenn72]

I used a 5/16 stainless bolt, washers on both sides and a nylon locknut. Working great so far.

[randman132]

The new steps used a much better pivot system. Much beefier. But like everything with an RV, you need to know how to improvise and improve !