Retractable stairs

[Johnnya]

Is there a way to disable temporary the retractable stairs when you open the door? I've parked my rv on the side of the road the other day and the stairs hit the curbside. I am trying to avoid that in the future not to damage the stairs.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Johnnya

Is there a way to disable temporary the retractable stairs when you open the door? I've parked my rv on the side of the road the other day and the stairs hit the curbside. I am trying to avoid that in the future not to damage the stairs.

Many use a magnet that is placed near the door contact and that will keep the steps from going out. I use this when parking along a curb so the steps don't go out. I usually jump in and out that way.


If you are handy and hand an old microwave that is trash you can remove a very powerful flat circle magnet that is mounted around the magnetron tube. That is what I use. They are about 2-3" in diameter.
Here is what they look like. This is two stacked together.

[Johnnya]

Hmmm. I have to find this magnet. Thanks for the hint

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Johnnya

Hmmm. I have to find this magnet. Thanks for the hint

Check Craigslist as many people give old microwaves away working or not in the FREE area. If you find one for free close to you it is worth the time to take it apart for the magnets.
Also you can pick a small cheap one from a Harbor Freight store.

[bubbles]

One other point. The steps stop coming in and going out due to current rising when they reach their extreme positions and therefore it will not damage the steps if they hit a curb or some other obstacle when deploying. That is the way they are designed. However; IGGY is correct with one solution if you want to keep them from going out when you open the door.

[Johnnya]

Good to know, thanks

[Lostdog]

You can buy bar magnets at any Lowes or HD. Cheap and easy to find and I've been using them for years.

[Johnnya]

Where do you locate the magnet ?

[Lostdog]

On the door frame you will find a sensor with a corresponding sensor on the screen door. These sensors are usually white in color and maybe and inch long or so. Place the magnet on the sensor located on the door frame and the step system will think that the door is closed all the time and the steps will not deploy.