Entry Step Surprise

[toolman_57]

Just picked up our new 364TSF today and had quite an adventure driving home. I never drove an RV before (of any kind) so all the attention I was getting by folks pulling along side and trying to make hand gestures to explain why I should pull over seemed quite annerving.

I drove to the next exit (I-95 between Richmond VA and Washington DC) and as soon as I put on the right signal I could see the problem in the camera. Seems as if my entry steps were extended while I was driving down the road. Good thing I was sticking to the right lane!

I took the exit, pulled off the highway, and open and closed the door. The steps came back in, so I figured maybe I didn't have the door closed all the way. Locked the door, checked my camera, and the steps were retracted--crisis avoided. Back on the highway I went. Drove for 10 or so more miles--started getting the hand signals/waiving from good samaritans again. (sigh)

Put on the signal--saw the steps--took the next exit and found an empty parking lot. This was getting awful stressful for my first RV experience.

Got out of the RV played around with the door to find the switch--finally figured out it is a magnet sensor on the screen door. The screen door looks a bit warped out at the bottom and seems to be bowing out--even with the outer door closed. I could wiggle the screen door and the steps would go out. At least I figured out what was causing the problem. I pulled at the bottom of the door to straighten things out a bit. Climbed back in, shove a piece of cardboard between the screen and the outer door to keep the screen door closed and a solid contact with the switch, and checked my side camera. OK. All was good. I also figued out how to make the right side camera my default view on the monitor.

Back on the highway and no more incidents. Seems to me that the stairs should have some sort of safety switch for when the coach is in motion--regardless of the screen door switch. Seems like a single-point-of-failure design. Once I got the rig home and was giving my neighbors a tour I accidentally turned the key to the accessory position and heard the stairs retract. That was weird. Didn't retract in the on/running position, but in the accessory position. I'm thinking something isn't as designed.

Any thoughts? (sorry for my first story being so long)

[DarrenK]

Toolman_57,
I'm sorry you had to experience that on your trip home from the dealer! Maybe it was best to get it out of the way early on...Others have had problems with the magnetic sensor (search for threads), but I'm fairly certain they are supposed to retract with the ignition in accy position (at least mine do).

[rwehba]

How did you default your monitor



Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[Still Kickin]

Sounds like the ignition over ride is not the end default in the electrical wiring. But, it's wired correctly and here is why. Think of it this way, your engine is running and you need to exit the coach. The steps must be allowed to deploy for safe exit and entry.

Your issue is what you have discovered, a warped screen door, which breaks contact, thus signaling the system you are exiting the coach. There are two remedies; have the screen door fixed, or put an inline toggle switch near your exit point, to isolate the screen door contact switch(but have it fixed as well). The second one however, requires you to remember to activate the switch, to effect stair deployment.

Look at the bright side, you have learned, when people are waiving at you with funny looks, NOW you know somethings up! A lot of us in here learned that lesson i'm sure. Welcome to RVing, you will be a pro in no time.

[ETCTA]

Wow that is pretty scary!
Two small bits of advice 1-Position the bottom portion of your side view mirror so that you can see down the bottom part of your RV to the road. 2-Practice using your cameras rear and both side views. This will help you catch any other issues that you may have with the steps and in case you forget to fully latch a door.

[toolman_57]

Originally Posted by rwehba

How did you default your monitor



Sent from my macbook using Forest River Forums

Thanks for all the helpful advice. I'll try to re-create the button-pushes I did to get the monitor to default to the right-side camera.

[Crockett]

If its a lippert, you should be able to just turn off the step while its retracted to keep it in regardless of door switch function? Thats what inwas picking up off the manual anyway...

[ramair]

Welcome to the forums and on the new MH. Glad no one was hurt and it happens sometimes. What you described has happened to me and the fix was to move the magnet so it was properly aligned and closer to the side. Once I did this haven't had the issue again. Again it can be a scary experience. I have heard that some individuals have placed a magnet on the magnet so if the screen door moves there is still a magnet on the magnet to keep the steps closed. Just remember to remove it when you stop.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by Crockett

If its a lippert, you should be able to just turn off the step while its retracted to keep it in regardless of door switch function? Thats what inwas picking up off the manual anyway...

If it's a Lippert the power switch is only for retracting the steps when the door is closed while parked. The switch is off to allow the steps to stay out while parked when closing the door. The ignition override feature will retract the steps with the switch off and the steps will extend if the door is opened no matter what the switch position. Door mag switch is the key.

[Crockett]

awesome...thank you. better keep that mag switch adjusted.