Georgetown 337DS Steps

[Wildhog56]

My steps broke 3 weeks ago, main pivot bolt sheared off. Removed steps & found that it was tack welded to keep it from backing out. These are made by LCI . I will be picking up my replacement steps this Friday. Sounds like an all to common issue. Its not a field repairable item (until the warranty runs out). We have only been on 1 trip with it & fortunately it broke at my house. It did not just collapse but got real spongy when extended that's what made me look underneath & see that the bolt was cocked.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Wildhog56

My steps broke 3 weeks ago, main pivot bolt sheared off. Removed steps & found that it was tack welded to keep it from backing out. These are made by LCI . I will be picking up my replacement steps this Friday. Sounds like an all to common issue. Its not a field repairable item (until the warranty runs out). We have only been on 1 trip with it & fortunately it broke at my house. It did not just collapse but got real spongy when extended that's what made me look underneath & see that the bolt was cocked.

Did you contact your dealer or Lippert or Forest River to get replacement steps?

[Wildhog56]

I went through the dealer to get the replacement steps. No argument from them as a matter of fact they ordered the new steps without even seeing the broken ones. Went off my word about what bolt had broken. When the new set arrives this Friday I will go swap them out. Thats a 700 dollar set of steps with no argument fom any of the involved parties, so It must be a common issue.

[RED Baron]

Could all this be prevended if lubed eveytime you use your MH?? just my 2cents.but I will check mine also just in case want no proplems on my trip to Arizona starting next week. Be SAVE
George
2012 Georgetowne 280
Towing a Saturn 2001 LW 200

[Wildhog56]

Originally Posted by RED Baron

Could all this be prevended if lubed eveytime you use your MH?? just my 2cents.but I will check mine also just in case want no proplems on my trip to Arizona starting next week. Be SAVE
George
2012 Georgetowne 280
Towing a Saturn 2001 LW 200

That was one of the 1st things done to the unit when I purchased it, I crawled under it with my creeper , can of silicone & grease gun. Lubed it from front to back & eyeballed everything , looking for anything that may be suspect. The steps got the most attention since this my 1st unit with electric steps. I just moved over from the 5th wheel group for the past 10 years.

[Iggy]

Here is a picture of my step underside. I found a loose bolt and bracket on the main arm. Can anyone tellme what is it for and what position should it be in before I tighten.
See picture and red circle.
Thanks

[Wildhog56]

I noticed that on mine to, I did not notice of mine was loose though. Its not used to adjust the cams or the throw on the steps. I will be home in the morning & re-look at my old ones since they are off the coach. I looked at the set up instructions & it makes no reference to it. Maybe someone else on here will know. In the mean time I will continue to see what i can find out.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Wildhog56

I noticed that on mine to, I did not notice of mine was loose though. Its not used to adjust the cams or the throw on the steps. I will be home in the morning & re-look at my old ones since they are off the coach. I looked at the set up instructions & it makes no reference to it. Maybe someone else on here will know. In the mean time I will continue to see what i can find out.

Thanks
I also found this document on Lippert s website about the step bolt that keep breaking. Not sure if it true or not but more information about replacing the hex nut bolt.

ATTACHMENT
Gear plate and bolt replacement

[Falcon35]

Thank's Iggy:
Two more pages for my file.

[OldCoot]

Have you considered using a Gr 8 bolt? They are a lot stronger than a Gr 2 or Gr 5. A Gr 8 bolt will have 6 hash marks on the head, a 5 will have 3 and a 2 will have none.

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Here is a picture of my step underside. I found a loose bolt and bracket on the main arm. Can anyone tellme what is it for and what position should it be in before I tighten.
See picture and red circle.
Thanks

I just looked, its a very light sleeve bearing just near the point of torque applicatiiion. My sections are parallel when out. Believe its meant to be loose, not that loose but one rates free of the other.

I'm camping in the Poconos on a slight slope, note I've got 9" of blocking below the step normally <4". Still wanna loose the 3rd step? Don't think it would be good idea! Less of course you keep a short unsafe step ladder handy.

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Here is a picture of my step underside. I found a loose bolt and bracket on the main arm. Can anyone tellme what is it for and what position should it be in before I tighten.
See picture and red circle.
Thanks

Refer to pics on post #12 on page 2 of this thread. It shows the subject bracket in proper alignment. Don't think any of this is adjustable, except for bolt tightening. You'll note they are almost parallel. Believe the only purpose to help shaft from bending when operating.

[Wildhog56]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Here is a picture of my step underside. I found a loose bolt and bracket on the main arm. Can anyone tellme what is it for and what position should it be in before I tighten.
See picture and red circle.
Thanks

After installing my new steps I looked closely at the bolt in question, the only use it serves is to hold the bronze bushing in place.

[SinkorSwim]

Slight side question on the thread, but definitly along the same thought line.

Anyone ever seen a product to place under the last step as an extra support for the steps that has a variable hieght adjustment? Envisaging a rectangular plate that would ratchet to the ground and just take all the sway out of the step. Would need to have variable hieght setting. I just dislike all the swaying about when you use the steps they just dont feel safe.....

[VinceU]

Yes I carry 1" leveling blocks and board shims 1/4, 7/16, 1/2" thickness. When stack of blocks are close lift step and shim tight. 0 movement will occur. Can't always block, I still keep close eye on painted witness marks, check for bolts slipping.

[Wildhog56]

Originally Posted by SinkorSwim

Slight side question on the thread, but definitly along the same thought line.

Anyone ever seen a product to place under the last step as an extra support for the steps that has a variable hieght adjustment? Envisaging a rectangular plate that would ratchet to the ground and just take all the sway out of the step. Would need to have variable hieght setting. I just dislike all the swaying about when you use the steps they just dont feel safe.....

I've been using a step stabilizer for a few years, bought it for use with my 5th wheel but it works fine on the MH steps to. Just need to remember to take it out before retracting the steps since they go down before going up.

Step Stabilizer - Cp Products 65264 - RV Steps - Camping World

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by SinkorSwim

Anyone ever seen a product to place under the last step as an extra support for the steps that has a variable hieght adjustment?

I use this most of the time. Can be 8.5" or 4.5" high
Stromberg Carlson - RV Steps & Step Accessories -

Stromberg's P-102, Plastic Platform Step

[Wildhog56]

Originally Posted by Iggy

I use this most of the time. Can be 8.5" or 4.5" high
Stromberg Carlson - RV Steps & Step Accessories -

I have the same one & still need it at certain campsites.

[SinkorSwim]

Hey Wild, do you need 1 or 2 of those stabilizers, looks like with one the step would pivot? But it looks like 2 should work perfectly...

[Wildhog56]

Originally Posted by SinkorSwim

Hey Wild, do you need 1 or 2 of those stabilizers, looks like with one the step would pivot? But it looks like 2 should work perfectly...

One seems to work fine, I place it toward the rear in the middle.