Broken step

[Phil57]

I stepped out of the MH last night and the step broke. I thought I was going down for a second. I remember reading that this happened to someone else but a search pulled to many listings.
Where can I find the part and do I need to buy the complete assembly?
I guess I can call Andy Monday and order one. I would like to but a stronger part in. This bolt just sheared off as it too my weight(insert fat jokes here). I would not be a happy camper if my wife or mom fell because a pos bolt isn't strong enough.


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[dan-nickie]

I thought I remembered someone having the issue also.
What I found with a search was on an FR3 instead of a Berk.
The bolt looked like this though:

I have been trying to step lightly on ours, and always let it complete it's operation before I step on it.

[Still Kickin]

Lippert Components RV Parts and Accessories|Steps|Parts

Had an issue and another poster cousin01 gave me this link. Thank him if you get a chance.

[18CrewDually]

Looks like all you need is a new heim end. Tractor Supply, Grainger and other stores have these. Just match up what size and style you need.
http://m.grainger.com/mobile/categor...ecatalog/N-apd

[dan-nickie]

Holy cow! $48
Lippert Components RV Parts and Accessories|Steps|Parts

[Phil57]

Crew I checked the Lippert web site and 48$ is to much so I will look at one if the tractor supply or Fasten-all. Dan I said the same thing. 48$ for two $ of hardware that wasn't strong enough to begin with.


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[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by Phil57

Crew I checked the Lippert web site and 48$ is to much so I will look at one if the tractor supply or Fasten-all. Dan I said the same thing. 48$ for two $ of hardware that wasn't strong enough to begin with.


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I believe this is what your looking for; McMaster-Carr

Its called a heavy duty ball joint linkage.

Phil, let us know if you are able to source it from another vendor. Thanks

[seeg]

2014 400BH-360. Our step collapsed after 3 weeks. Because we're still under warranty Lippert overnighted an new step assembly to us and had their mobile tech install it. Our shoulder bolt broke (see post #2) and although I found one in Boise I learned the original had been welded in.

Only potential problem is that they gave us the same step. A search will reveal that FR has since stopped using the Lippert step and has started using the Kwickee. Interestingly enough Lippert just bought out Kwickee at least according to one of the threads I read. Our step used to sound like a landing gear retracting. The new step operates much more quietly.

Dan

[Iwannacamp]

I think a spherical rod end would be stronger. IMO


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[Mmnsc]

Hi Phil
Yesterday I stepped out of the MH and the step went down. The exact same bolt broke on mine. I bungeed up the step and use the extra step I have. It can be fixed along with the other items at the Goshen rally. About a week ago the motor acted up sounding like a machine gun on retracting the steps. I assume it is all related as now the motor does not operate. See you in Goshen
Marty

[Phil57]

That is odd that we both had the same bolt break. I'm going to look around to see if I can find a better product but I may just have FR fix mine also at Goshen. One week.


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[seanfulton]

3 mons in on my new 2013 the bolt in post #2 broke. Repaired it but had the ratcheting noise. Camping world replaced with a new step but the ratcheting started again. Traced it to 4 washers on the cam shaft. Lippert claimed those 4 washers didn't belong there and were not part of the step. Randy at FR got them to swap it with a new step as a goodwill gesture ... so how come post #1 with the broken cam has 4 washers in the picture? The washers are why it broke, the cam is supposed to be flush to the step. Washers don't belong there. Wondering if those washers came from Lippert not camping world!

[lefaivre]

I can not understand why FL continues to use this step. I has proven itself to have chronic problems both with sheared volts and faulty motors.

We have gone through 3 motors in less than 3 years. The average lifespan seems to be less than 6 trips.

I currently have a question in to Randy H to determine if there is an alternate step that can be installed.

If this was a safety issue ... it would likely be a general recall item. Unfortunately it appears to be considered nothing more than an inconvenience ... we the users are left holding the bag.

For the most part, Berkshire has a great product. Why do they not listen to user fear back to improve?

[seanfulton]

Originally Posted by lefaivre

I can not understand why FL continues to use this step. I has proven itself to have chronic problems both with sheared volts and faulty motors.

We have gone through 3 motors in less than 3 years. The average lifespan seems to be less than 6 trips.

I currently have a question in to Randy H to determine if there is an alternate step that can be installed.

If this was a safety issue ... it would likely be a general recall item. Unfortunately it appears to be considered nothing more than an inconvenience ... we the users are left holding the bag.

For the most part, Berkshire has a great product. Why do they not listen to user fear back to improve?

I don't know how long these have been an issue. I know in general, parts like this are part of big contracts (especially if you look at how many components have LCI on them in your coach), so by the time you get enough units in the field with problems, you're pretty far down the road. By that I mean, if you get 20 people with the same problem, you may have already installed the unit inf 500 or 600 coaches by then. You can't go take them all out, especially if 480 or more of them *aren't* having problems.

My experience with Randy and the team over there is that they are very proactive. I know the BH slide mechanism has been beefed up and they are replacing units in the field (replaced mine for free even though I am out of warranty).

I know with the steps, they paid me for the steps I replaced at Camping World (which they technically didn't have to do), and then called Lippert on my behalf to get a me a second replacement step when the one Camping World sold me had problems. Randy's comment to me was "I buy a lot more steps from Lippert than you do so I'll work with them on it."

Solid customer service crew from my experience, and very responsive. In fact, I've told them my next MH will be a Berkshire because of the solid support these guys give clients.

sean

[lefaivre]

Sean

As far as beefing up the slide ... that has been done and how can I go about having mine beefed up as well.

[seanfulton]

I would contact Andy/Randy or Isaac over at FR. With mine they just wanted the old motor back so they could send it to Lippert.

The steps...I don't know what to tell you; I'm on my third set. I think FR has done right by me, but I still hope every time I step down that it doesn't break!

sean

[Mmnsc]

In my post #2 when I took the linkage off it also had 4 washers in the system. I had the tolat strps replaced at the rally by Lippert. I cannot believe how quiet the new steps are. The tech that change the steps said the retacheting noise is the motor and a component in the motor goes bad and cannot be repaired. As for the grade 8 bolt to shear off, the tech was amazed it could break as they did. He took my old broken linkage and was going to ask to have the bolts analyzed be the metalologist as there might have been an issue with the metal used to make the bolts. Grade 8 are the hardest and strongest bolts available and should not shesr as is happening with these steps.
I was also surprised on the new steps that there is clearly a label that states "do not lubrucate". I hope these new steps are an improvement over the old as I too have gone through 3 motors.

Special thanks to Randy and Leo and the whole Forest River team for all the great efforts at the rally to take care of all our issues. They made me a real believer and the next RV I buy will only be a FR product.