SolidStep Install on My Windjammer

[nomad297]

I installed these LCI SolidSteps yesterday on my Windjammer. There were no modifications needed and the job took me less than 30 minutes. The pictures show from the front, from the side and in the stowed position. They are as solid as a rock walking up and down, plus, the trailer doesn’t budge while you are using them. I am very pleased with this modification.

Bruce

[youroo]

Nice Steps and install,but I can't use this type because I can't open the door far enough to deploy the steps because of the wall of the building where we store it! They were installing these on the 5th wheels at the "Rockwood/Flagstaff" factory,but I didn't see any on the TT lines! Youroo!!

[nomad297]

I just spent 30 minutes working on getting these three pictures oriented correctly. I don’t know what I did wrong in the first place and I don’t know what I did to fix them, but there they are, all the right way around.

Bruce

[larryo]

I have noticed that quite a few Rockwoods, both 5er and TT are coming with these steps.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Our 2017 Cherokee 304 came with them installed from factory. I love them, the wife REALLY loves them. It took a weekend of using them to stop anticipating the "flex" that the older steps always did when you stepped on the bottom step.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by larryo

I have noticed that quite a few Rockwoods, both 5er and TT are coming with these steps.

I think that’s a great idea, except for in situations like youroo would experience. I left my fold out steps in place, so if I did ever run into youroo’s situation, I could remove the SolidStep in about five minutes and use the fold outs. Maybe Rockwood should consider including both styles of steps for just this reason.

Bruce

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by nomad297

I just spent 30 minutes working on getting these three pictures oriented correctly. I don’t know what I did wrong in the first place and I don’t know what I did to fix them, but there they are, all the right way around.

Bruce

If you want to prevent that in the future, always turn your phone sideways when taking a pic. That will give you a "wide" shot which most of these programs use by default. Noticed TV stations are now telling viewers that send in pics to the news to Turn the Phone Sideways. There is a orientation...at least on my LG phone, that I have to have the shutter button on the right side of phone. If I forget and turn the phone the other way (shutter button by left hand) the photo will post upside down.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

If you want to prevent that in the future, always turn your phone sideways when taking a pic. That will give you a "wide" shot which most of these programs use by default. Noticed TV stations are now telling viewers that send in pics to the news to Turn the Phone Sideways. There is a orientation...at least on my LG phone, that I have to have the shutter button on the right side of phone. If I forget and turn the phone the other way (shutter button by left hand) the photo will post upside down.

I take all of my pictures and videos with my phone sideways. I don’t know what the deal was with posting them this time. I’ve never had a problem before.

Bruce

[Bunkhse]

They really seem to be nice and am anticipating adding them to my RV. I spoke to two dealers at an RV show and they said many customers complained of all the dirt on the steps falling off inside the RV when they folded them up and the lip at the door prevented them from easily sweeping the dirt out. I don't see why it should be difficult to sweep the steps prior to folding up. What am I missing???

[MCTroy]

Love this modification. We have heavy wooden steps at our summer site. DH is getting tired if setting them up. May I ask the cost of this update? And how hard are they to install? Can someone that has average skilks with a screwdriver and drill do this? Thanks for the post and idea!

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by MCTroy

Love this modification. We have heavy wooden steps at our summer site. DH is getting tired if setting them up. May I ask the cost of this update? And how hard are they to install? Can someone that has average skilks with a screwdriver and drill do this? Thanks for the post and idea!

I paid $306.06 at Amazon. You may be able to find them for less elsewhere. On a difficulty scale of 1-10, I give it a 2. I would have given it a 1 if the correct instructions were included — they included instructions and a toggle switch for electric steps, but I had already read the online instructions before I ordered them, so I had a good idea of what needed to be done.

As far as tools go, all you need is a tape measure to center them in the door opening, and a screwdriver — powered, or not. You may also need to buy 10 #10x1-1/2” wood screws or self-tapping screws with no shoulder (threads all of the way from the point to the head). They aren’t supposed to come with the screws, but since they sent me the wrong instruction packet, I was in luck because the screws came in that bag and I had bought wood screws with shoulders that wouldn’t have worked.

They are not heavy and are very easily installed by one person — it took me 22 minutes from start to finish, not including the unboxing. There were no modifications necessary. These steps are pretty much plug-and-play.

I chose these particular steps over the less expensive MorRyde “Step Above” steps because the MorRyde steps require modification (shortening) of the bottom of the door, and the leveling legs on the SolidSteps do not protrude beyond the first step like the MorRyde do, causing a trip hazard (for me, at least — I know I would be tripping on those things). I know some here prefer the MorRyde over the Lippert for various reasons such as: they don’t like anything by Lippert and, more reasonably, they think the MorRyde are more heavy-duty. Whether the MorRyde are more heavy-duty or not, the steps I installed are easy to install, very solid and built well. They are going to last longer than my camper.

Bruce

[aceinspp]

Nice install and great steps. I most likely will not install them as It would be a pain to lower step to use the bathroom during stopping in areas with not much room to do so while traveling. Later RJD

[DAISY BOYKIN]

Now I know why I ordered my Rockwood 5th Wheel Signature with a back door. Still using standard fold out steps at the back door for bath room stops!!!!!!

[youroo]

Originally Posted by DAISY BOYKIN

Now I know why I ordered my Rockwood 5th Wheel Signature with a back door. Still using standard fold out steps at the back door for bath room stops!!!!!!

Sid where is your "Back Door" located that makes it Easier to deploy than a Front door? Are doors located on the Curb side? Youroo!!

[MCTroy]

Great reply! Thanks. I see these in our future..

[MSgt Rick]

Originally Posted by youroo

Nice Steps and install,but I can't use this type because I can't open the door far enough to deploy the steps because of the wall of the building where we store it! They were installing these on the 5th wheels at the "Rockwood/Flagstaff" factory,but I didn't see any on the TT lines! Youroo!!

We just traded our Grey Wolf 17BH for a 2018 Salem 241QBXL TT that have these steps, and we pick it up tomorrow (Woo hoo). I am glad to read your comment as we will park it door-side next to our house. I will make sure to park it far enough to open the stairs. Good timing

[jboczek]

We have these steps from the factory on our Grey Wolf 23MK. A problem that I had was the screen door would rub on the "threshhold" of the steps and made it hard to open. I ended up redrilling the hinge holes and moving the screen door up about 1/4". Other than that, the steps are great - solid steps compared to the "old style" folding up steps out old trailer had.

[Jammer3025]

Sweet Mod.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by youroo

Sid where is your "Back Door" located that makes it Easier to deploy than a Front door? Are doors located on the Curb side? Youroo!!

Think you a bit confused son. Can access bath from rear with regular steps and not put down big step at middle door where it may interfere in tight areas. Later RJD

[rmgozia]

what width step did you buy?